An Eastern Iowa State Park Has Been Named the Best ‘Hidden Gem’ by Midwest Living

Linn County is home to one of the best state parks in the whole state of Iowa! Midwest Living has recognized Palisades-Kepler State Park in Mount Vernon as Iowa's best "hidden gem" state park!

Where is Palisades-Kepler State Park?

The park's address is 700 Kepler Drive, Mount Vernon. It's located just off of Highway 30, a less than 20-minute drive from Downtown Cedar Rapids.

What Makes the Park So Special?

Of all the places in Iowa I've visited over the past ten years, Palisades is my absolute favorite. I think the thing I love most is that it's so close to Cedar Rapids, but when you're there, you feel like you're a million miles away. It reminds me a lot of my home state of Michigan. I grew up surrounded by big bodies of water, so there's something comfortable and familiar about the park to me.

According to Midwest Living, some of the highlights of Palisades-Kepler State Park include "steep river bluffs, dense trees, deep ravines and even Native American mounds." You can hike the trails, do a little fishing, stay the night in one of the park's cabins, or just sit by the water and enjoy the views! I love to go early in the morning before there are any crowds. It's so peaceful, especially during the fall!

When you're done at the park, Midwest Living recommends heading to Mount Vernon for some pizza at Lincoln Winebar. After all, it WAS named one of the 22 best pizza places in the country by the New York Times last year! Mount Vernon is also home to Bass Farms, Big’s BBQ Brewpub, FUEL art and espresso, White Tree Bakery, Hilltop Plants and Records, The Local, and more!

When is the Park Open?

Palisades-Kepler State Park is open all year round! The current hours are 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Midwest Living has a couple of other suggestions of places to visit in Iowa this spring! If you're looking for beautiful wildflowers, they recommend checking out Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine and the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City near Des Moines.

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