National parks near Polk County, Iowa
Polk County is one town for park planning. See national parks near Des Moines — it reaches the same parks.
The closest national park to Polk County, Iowa is Gateway Arch National Park — about 276 mi (445 km) away, or roughly 7 hr of driving.
Nothing here is a comfortable day trip — the nearest parks are better as an overnight or a weekend.
National parks near Polk County
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Arch National Park | 276 mi (445 km) | 7 hr | Worth a longer road trip |
| Indiana Dunes National Park | 338 mi (544 km) | 8 hr 27 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Badlands National Park | 473 mi (762 km) | 11 hr 39 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Voyageurs National Park | 476 mi (767 km) | 11 hr 44 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Hot Springs National Park | 492 mi (792 km) | 12 hr 6 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 505 mi (813 km) | 12 hr 25 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Isle Royale National Park | 512 mi (824 km) | 12 hr 34 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Wind Cave National Park | 518 mi (834 km) | 12 hr 43 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Point Pelee National Park | 573 mi (922 km) | 14 hr | Worth a longer road trip |
| Pukaskwa National Park | 594 mi (956 km) | 14 hr 30 min | Worth a longer road trip |
Towns and cities in Polk County
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Polk County?
Gateway Arch National Park, about 276 mi (445 km) away and roughly 7 hr of driving.
Which national parks can I visit from Polk County in a day?
None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.