The Most Underrated State in America? It Might Be Iowa.

Some places leave an impression before you ever arrive.

Others completely catch you off guard.

Iowa was supposed to be our final state. Just another stop before we turned west again. 

Instead, it became one of those places we’ll be talking about for years.

With Iowa, we’ve officially camped in all 49 drivable states!

I still can’t quite believe it. 

What started as a dream years ago has now taken us to every corner of this beautiful country.

It feels fitting that we crossed the finish line just as our nation begins celebrating its 250th birthday.

If you had asked me a month ago which state would surprise me the most, Iowa probably wouldn’t have made the list.

Now it’s one of my favorites.

In fact, we loved it so much that we extended our stay.

Sometimes the Best Days Start With a Wrong Turn

Our first morning started early, which was a bit of a bummer for Scott because he had been looking forward to sleeping in.

A heat wave was moving in, so we headed to Backbone State Park hoping to finish our hike before the temperatures climbed.

That was the plan, anyway.

We accidentally started on the wrong trail. I guess we were a little rusty. 

By the time we found the trail we had intended to hike, the heat had picked up enough that we decided to turn around before reaching the end.

I’ve realized that’s often how life works.

We make our plans, take a wrong turn, adjust, and somehow those unexpected moments become part of the story we remember most.

A Gift We Never Expected

On our drive to Iowa, Scott and I listened to a podcast with Bob Goff and Jesse Cole, the founder of Banana Ball. 

It was the first time we’d ever heard of the Savannah Bananas.

Apparently our kids had been following them for years, and our daughter asked if we could stay an extra day so we could see the Savannah Bananas play in Iowa City.

We looked into tickets…

And then friends unexpectedly gifted us four of them.

I don’t know about you, but I love those moments when God reminds us He’s paying attention to even the smallest desires of our hearts.

With our daughter leaving for college soon, this became one more memory we’ll carry into a season that’s coming much faster than I’m ready for.

If you’ve never been to a Banana Ball game, put it on your bucket list.

It’s baseball mixed with entertainment, comedy, music, dancing, and crowd participation. Even if you don’t care about baseball, you’ll have a blast.

But my favorite moment had nothing to do with the game.

At one point, the entire stadium turned toward the children’s hospital overlooking the field and did the famous Hawkeye Wave to the kids watching from their windows.

Thousands of people stopped what they were doing just to remind those children they weren’t forgotten.

It was such a simple moment, but one I’ll never forget.

Then, to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, they held a race featuring 200 fifty-year-old men.

I laughed harder than I have in a long time.

Decorah, Iowa: An Underrated Gem

If you’re planning an Iowa road trip, don’t skip Decorah, Iowa. It quickly became one of our favorite stops in the state.

Towering limestone bluffs.

Hidden waterfalls.

Amazing kayaking opportunities.

Beautiful hiking trails.

It’s the kind of place you don’t hear enough people talking about.

One of our favorite hikes, the Malanaphy Falls Trail, led to an incredible waterfall flowing directly out of the huge rock. 

It was an easy hike, but just a heads-up if you decide to visit: the rocks near the falls are extremely slick. Wear shoes with good traction and take your time.

Trust me. 

The view is worth every step, and the cool water was incredibly refreshing in the summer heat.

The Moments I’ll Remember Most

As much as I loved exploring Iowa, some of my favorite memories weren’t attractions at all.

They were the ordinary moments.

Getting caught up on laundry because our son asked if he could come help.

Remembering how to settle back into full-time RV life after sitting still for a while.

Laughing over all the little routines we’d forgotten.

Trying broasted chicken for the first time while chatting with a friendly couple from Illinois.

Snacking on wild blackberries during our hikes.

Watching a rainbow stretch across the Iowa countryside.

Driving back from the Banana Ball game while fireworks exploded across the horizon in every direction.

It honestly felt like Iowa was putting on its own private Fourth of July celebration just for us.

Those are the moments I tend to treasure most. The ones you could never schedule.

A Campground Worth Staying For

If you’re looking for one of the best places for camping in Iowa, put Volga River State Recreation Area on your list.

It quickly became one of our favorite campgrounds on this journey.

The sites are spacious, with concrete pull-through pads and full hookups. 

The woods are peaceful, the river winds quietly through the park, and there are horse trails, fishing, kayaking, and plenty of places to simply sit and enjoy God’s creation.

It’s the kind of campground that encourages you to slow down, tucked away in the middle of nowhere.

And sometimes that’s exactly what we need.

What Iowa Taught Me

Throughout our stay, I kept thinking about James’ reminder:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” — James 1:17

James wasn’t writing about road trips or waterfalls, but his words reminded me that every good thing... whether it’s unexpected generosity, family memories, or the beauty of creation... has its source in God.

When I look back on our time camping in Iowa, that’s what I remember most.

I remember the gifts.

Unexpected tickets.

A family memory we’ll treasure before our daughter begins a whole new chapter.

Quiet mornings.

Beautiful hikes through Decorah.

A waterfall flowing from limestone at Malanaphy Falls.

Rainbows.

Fireworks.

Laughter.

A state we almost overlooked becoming one of our favorite places.

I’ve learned that gratitude grows when we stop measuring a day by how closely it followed our plans and start noticing how faithfully God met us in the middle of them.

Of all the places we’ve explored across 49 drivable states, it’s fitting that our final one reminded me of something I never want to forget:

Some of God’s sweetest gifts are waiting in the places we almost pass by.

Until Next Time, Iowa

Thank you for the memories.

Thank you for slowing us down.

Thank you for reminding us that the places with the least hype sometimes leave the biggest impression.

And most of all…

Thank You, Lord, for another reminder that Your goodness is often found where we least expect it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for every good gift You place along our journey, both the extraordinary and the ordinary. Thank You for safe travels, unexpected blessings, beautiful places, laughter, and the memories we’re making together as a family. Help us not become so focused on our plans that we miss the gifts You are placing right in front of us. Keep our hearts grateful, our eyes open to Your goodness, and may every mile we travel point us back to You. 

In Jesus' name, Amen.

I’d Love to Hear From You

Have you ever visited a place that completely surprised you? Or has God ever used an unexpected detour to give you a gift you never saw coming?

Share your story in the comments, I love hearing how God is at work in the journeys of others.

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