Parks Manager

National parks near Johnson County, Iowa

Johnson County is one town for park planning. See national parks near Iowa City — it reaches the same parks.

The closest national park to Johnson County, Iowa is Gateway Arch National Park — about 223 mi (359 km) away, or roughly 5 hr 44 min of driving.

Nothing here is a comfortable day trip — the nearest parks are better as an overnight or a weekend.

National parks near Johnson County

Parks ranked by distance from Johnson County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Gateway Arch National Park223 mi (359 km)5 hr 44 minBest as a weekend
Indiana Dunes National Park230 mi (370 km)5 hr 54 minBest as a weekend
Mammoth Cave National Park425 mi (684 km)10 hr 30 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park465 mi (749 km)11 hr 28 minWorth a longer road trip
Isle Royale National Park467 mi (752 km)11 hr 31 minWorth a longer road trip
Voyageurs National Park476 mi (766 km)11 hr 43 minWorth a longer road trip
Hot Springs National Park501 mi (807 km)12 hr 19 minWorth a longer road trip
Cuyahoga Valley National Park518 mi (834 km)12 hr 43 minWorth a longer road trip
Pukaskwa National Park532 mi (856 km)13 hr 2 minWorth a longer road trip
Bruce Peninsula National Park555 mi (893 km)13 hr 35 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Johnson County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Johnson County?

Gateway Arch National Park, about 223 mi (359 km) away and roughly 5 hr 44 min of driving.

Which national parks can I visit from Johnson County in a day?

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.