National parks near Iowa
There is no national park inside Iowa, but 10 sit within reach. The closest is Gateway Arch National Park, about 6 hr 20 min from the middle of the state.
Best time to visit Gateway Arch National Park. Getting to Gateway Arch National Park.
Closest national parks
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Arch National Park | 249 mi (400 km) | 6 hr 20 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Indiana Dunes National Park | 275 mi (442 km) | 6 hr 57 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 463 mi (744 km) | 11 hr 24 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Voyageurs National Park | 464 mi (747 km) | 11 hr 26 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Isle Royale National Park | 475 mi (764 km) | 11 hr 41 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Hot Springs National Park | 504 mi (810 km) | 12 hr 22 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Point Pelee National Park | 509 mi (819 km) | 12 hr 29 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Badlands National Park | 529 mi (851 km) | 12 hr 58 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Pukaskwa National Park | 548 mi (882 km) | 13 hr 25 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | 563 mi (906 km) | 13 hr 46 min | Worth a longer road trip |
Biggest towns and cities in Iowa
- Des Moines
- Cedar Rapids
- Davenport
- Iowa City
- Waterloo
- Ames
- Dubuque
- Cedar Falls
- Bettendorf
- Marshalltown
- Clinton
- Burlington
- Ottumwa
- Muscatine
- Indianola
- Newton
- Oskaloosa
- Fort Madison
- Keokuk
- Pella
- Fairfield
- Grinnell
- Mount Pleasant
- Perry
- Decorah
- Creston
- Charles City
- Washington
- Knoxville
- Oelwein
- Independence
- Maquoketa
- Anamosa
- Clarinda
- Centerville
- De Witt
- Winterset
- Vinton
- Manchester
- Osceola
- Chariton
- Dyersville
- Cresco
- Albia
- Monticello
- Waukon
- New Hampton
- Tipton
- Williamsburg
- Tama
- Grundy Center
- Eldora
- Bloomfield
- Hawarden
- Marengo
- Belle Plaine
- West Union
- Lamoni
- Cascade
- Toledo
- Bellevue
- Postville
- Wapello
- Sigourney
- Parkersburg
- Leon
- Greenfield
- Guttenberg
- Columbus Junction
- Mount Ayr
- Traer
- Reinbeck
- Stuart
- Corydon
- Corning
- Monona
- Akron
- Bedford
- Lenox
- Lake Panorama
- Elkader
- Panora
- Aplington
- Allison
- Keosauqua
All counties in Iowa
Common questions
Does Iowa have a national park?
No. The nearest national parks are Gateway Arch National Park, Indiana Dunes National Park, and Mammoth Cave National Park.
What is the closest national park to Iowa?
Gateway Arch National Park, roughly 249 mi (400 km) out and about 6 hr 20 min of driving from the centre of Iowa.