Swimming Holes in Iowa

Iowa's swimming hole geography is in the northeast corner — the Driftless Area that was never glaciated and looks nothing like the rest of the state. Pikes Peak State Park above McGregor has a Mississippi River overlook and access to the creeks below. Backbone State Park on the Maquoketa River has swimming in the river below the dam in Delaware County. For the best swimming in the state, the Yellow River State Forest near McGregor has cold spring-fed creeks and minimal visitor traffic.

Always check current conditions before visiting — water levels, algae advisories, and access roads change seasonally. Never swim alone in remote sites. Tell someone your plans. Explore all swimming holes on the Trek4Free map →