Parks Manager

National parks near Story County, Iowa

Story County is one town for park planning. See national parks near Ames — it reaches the same parks.

The closest national park to Story County, Iowa is Gateway Arch National Park — about 297 mi (478 km) away, or roughly 7 hr 29 min of driving.

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

National parks near Story County

Parks ranked by distance from Story County
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Gateway Arch National Park297 mi (478 km)7 hr 29 minWorth a longer road trip
Indiana Dunes National Park336 mi (541 km)8 hr 25 minWorth a longer road trip
Voyageurs National Park448 mi (721 km)11 hr 3 minWorth a longer road trip
Badlands National Park465 mi (749 km)11 hr 28 minWorth a longer road trip
Isle Royale National Park486 mi (782 km)11 hr 57 minWorth a longer road trip
Wind Cave National Park511 mi (823 km)12 hr 33 minWorth a longer road trip
Hot Springs National Park520 mi (837 km)12 hr 46 minWorth a longer road trip
Mammoth Cave National Park521 mi (838 km)12 hr 47 minWorth a longer road trip
Point Pelee National Park569 mi (915 km)13 hr 55 minWorth a longer road trip
Pukaskwa National Park570 mi (918 km)13 hr 57 minWorth a longer road trip

Towns and cities in Story County

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Story County?

Gateway Arch National Park, about 297 mi (478 km) away and roughly 7 hr 29 min of driving.

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

None comfortably. Plan at least one night away.