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5 Beautiful Bridges you need to see in Iowa

March 26, 2020 By Nedra McDaniel 3 Comments

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During my first visit to Iowa, one of the first things that stood out to me was its beautiful bridges.

I loved the architecture and the diversity of the styles of bridges in Iowa that we experienced during our stay.

bridge for Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad in Iowa

Train Bridges Past and Present

225 10th St, Boone, IA 

Step back in time on a scenic train ride on a path that dates back to the early 1900s with Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad.

train bridge for Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad in Iowa

During the train ride, you will pass over two vintage tresses with elevations that are surprising if you have the impression that all of Iowa is flat.

yellow train on the train bridge for Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad in Iowa

The views of the valley from a vintage train make for a memorable adventure.

There are several excursion theme experiences to choose from that appeal to all ages.

High Trestle Trail Bridge in Iowa at dusk

High Trestle Trail Bridge is a Former Train Bridge Repurposed

2335 Qf Ln, Madrid, IA

(High Trestle Trail Brige Parking)

The 25-mile recreational High Trestle Trail stretches from Ankeny, Iowa, to Woodward, Iowa.

The 13 story- high former train bridge across the Des Moines Valley has been turned into an incredible piece of functional art that is beautiful day or night.

colorful High Trestle Trail Bridge at night

The half-mile trail bridge is one of the largest trail bridges in the world and I would argue that it’s one of the coolest.

I would highly recommend visiting around sunset so that you can experience the art installation as it transitions from the day into night.

colorful bridge at Gray's Lake at Night in Des Moines Iowa

More Colorful and Cool Bridges in Iowa

Scenic Views at Gray’s Lake in Des Moines

2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 

Gray’s Lake is located less than 2 miles from downtown Des Moines. The 167-acre park surrounding Gray’s Lake is a popular place for walking or riding bikes.

scenic views from bridge at Gray's Lake at Night in Des Moines Iowa

The close proximity to downtown Des Moines gives you the best of both worlds with a mix of urban and scenic views.

sunset from a bridge in Des Moines Iowa

From the scenic bridge, you can view kayakers and fishermen and some pretty spectacular sunsets.

The best sunset during my visit was viewed from this colorful bridge.

Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge

Downtown Des Moines Bridge with Stunning Architecture

Principal River Walk, Des Moines, IA 

The Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge was a treat to walk across. I loved the modern design and its purpose to honor notable women from Iowa’s history.

Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge in Des Moines Iowa

Built for walkers and bikers, this bridge connects the east and west sides of the city of Des Moines.

The bridge also lights up at night but unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to view it that way but I did catch a glimpse of the fun fishing-themed park by the riverwalk.

Hogback Covered Bridge in Iowa

Famous Covered Bridges in Iowa

The Bridges of Madison County gained even more popularity thanks to the novel and the movie that starred Clint Eastwood and Merryl Streep.

You can still visit 6 of the 19 original covered bridges.

Roseman Covered Bridge in Iowa

Roseman Covered Bridge

2451 Elderberry Ave, Winterset, IA

The Roseman Bridge was one of the filming locations from the movie “The Bridges of Madison County.”

There is a gift shop on-site and a scenic river below that is a nice launching spot for kayaks.

Hogback Covered Bridge in Iowa

Hogback Covered Bridge

1879 Hogback Bridge Rd, Winterset, IA

You might notice graffiti inside some of the bridges.

I was told that they are referred to as “stories” If you want to leave your story the old fashioned way, you can join others by writing your thoughts down in the “Dreamer’s Journal.”

The journal entry that stated “Don’t follow your dreams, follow my Snapchat” made me laugh at the clashing of time periods where covered bridges and social media collide.

Ledges State Park in Iowa

Stone Bridge at Ledges State Park

1515 P Ave, Madrid, IA

There are 4 miles of trails with canyons and bluffs to discover at Ledges State Park.

Ledges State Park in Iowa

Pack a change of clothes on a warm day because this park is a popular spot to wade in the creek.

You can find families of all ages enjoying their time in and out of the water at the state park.

The bridges are just the beginning of what Iowa has to offer for visitors. Learn more about what to see in Iowa and the Unique Places You Need to Visit in Des Moines Iowa.

Thanks again to Travel Iowa for hosting my visit. 

Save this article for later by pinning the image below>>

5 Beautiful Bridge You need to see in Iowa

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Filed Under: Adventures, Adventures With Friends, Art, Family Adventures, Featured, Historical Sites, On A Date Adventures, Outdoor Adventure, Travel Tagged With: Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, bridge, covered bridge, Des Moines, Gray's Lake, high trestle bridge, Iowa

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tonya

    July 9, 2017 at 1:12 pm

    My husband and I drove through Iowa two years ago on our way to Oregon. I was really surprised by Iowa and decided then that I needed to plan a trip back. That train ride looks fun and I can’t seem to pass by a covered bridge.

  2. Sara Broers

    July 9, 2017 at 11:59 am

    You definitely saw some of the highlights of the central part of Iowa. Iowa is home to many beautiful bridges all across the state. Thanks for sharing your experience and the beauty of our bridges.

Trackbacks

  1. Unique Places You Need to Visit in Des Moines Iowa - Adventure Mom says:
    July 31, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    […] While you are in Iowa, there are also two noteworthy bridges in Des Moines that you need to add to your list. You can learn about them from my 5 Beautiful Bridges you need to see in Iowa post […]

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