Driving to the Highest Point in Iowa

Surrounded by cornfields on a windswept hill stands Hawkeye Point, the highest natural point in Iowa at 1,670 feet.

This summer, I am detailing our road trip to the Dakotas, which for us includes seeing Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. This is a family adventure you might want to do! We live in the St. Louis area, so our first stop was the highest point in Iowa.

The high point is about an hour and 15 minutes east of Sioux Falls, South Dakota where we are stopping for our first night on the road.

Arriving at the Hawkeye Point

We drove down a gravel road near a farmhouse that ended by the high point. This is a level short drive so no worries about going uphill.

*Mosaic marks the highest point in Iowa.*

First, we walked up to a red, white, and blue painted mosaic on a round stone that says, “Hawkeye Point.” My son Andrew took a moment to poise on it. (Blog featured photo)

*Sign for Jerimoth Hill in Rhode Island*

Exploring the Other Sites Here

Around the high point are wooden poles with green and white lettered signs on top pointing out the distances to the 48 other high points in the lower 48 states.

*My son Andrew when he was two on top of the rock at Jerimoth Hill in Rhode Island. He was picking up the sign-in paper for all those who made it at elevation 812 feet.*

We’ve gone to some of them, so I took pictures of the ones we’ve been to including Jerimoth Hill in Rhode Island. I did this with my son when he was a toddler.

I liked that they had a display of all 50 states done with license plates nearby.

*Looking out from the deck. Information signs near the flag poles talk about the topography of the area.*

Next, we went to a grain silo that has a deck that you can go up to and look out from.

Then we checked out the antique farm machinery along a cement walkway.

*Red barn decorated with quilt pattern painting.*

A red barn is here that you can walk through and gain a sense of farm life in Iowa.

Just for fun is Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” farmer and wife based on his painting that has openings for your head that you can stand behind and have a photo op. Famous painter Grant Woods is from Iowa.

Even part of the corn crib is now home to a picnic shelter.

If you want to stay the night by the highest point the Hawkeye Point campground is across the road.

Final Thoughts

This was an easy high point to do with our son since it did not require climbing. I also liked that they have the other high points done in signs especially since we’ve been to others. If you want a feel of what life is like in Iowa this is a quick stop among the cornfields. Best of all it is FREE and you can bring your pet!

DETAILS:

Drive: From St. Louis take U.S. Highway 61 north through Iowa and follow this route north as it becomes Missouri Highway 27 then U.S. Highway 218 then Interstate 380.

In Waterloo, Iowa, turn onto Highway 218 then make a left onto U.S. Highway 18 near Floyd, Iowa.

Next exit onto Interstate 35 then take exit 159A and go west on Interstate 90 then exit onto U.S. Highway 59 and go southwest around Worthington.

Make a right onto Iowa Highway 60 then a left onto 130th Street for a short bit because the campground and high point are right off this highway.

Hawkeye Point is about nine hours from St. Louis.

Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 pm. daily

Address:

5463 130th St, Sibley, IA 51249

*My son and I are below his legs. You can go up some steps for a picture with him.*

NEARBY ROAD STOP: JOLLY GREEN GIANT

Driving west through Minnesota you can stop at the Jolly Green Giant statue and museum.

it is an easy stop about an hour and 20 minutes to the east of Hawkeye Point.

The Jolly Green Giant is the mascot for a canned vegetable brand. Blue Earth, Minn., was home to a factory at one time.

We stopped to take a photo with the 55-foot statue.

Also, the statue of Sprout, Green Giant’s apprentice, is next to it.

My son Andrew enjoyed playing the xylophone at an outdoor music area that is near the statues.

Final Thoughts

This was a chance for us to stretch our legs that is not far off the interstate before heading onto Hawkeye Point.

*Side shot of the giant above the trees*

Jolly Green Giant Museum

Across the road from the Jolly Green Giant statue is the Jolly Green Giant Museum which includes memorabilia and the history of canning, but it was closed when we were there.

Directions: Take U.S. Highway 61 north from St. Louis through Iowa and follow this route north as it becomes Missouri Highway 27 then U.S. Highway 218 then Interstate 380.

In Waterloo, Iowa, turn onto Highway 218 then make a left onto U.S. Highway 18 near Floyd, Iowa.

Next exit onto Interstate 35 then take exit 159A and go west on Interstate 90 then exit south onto U.S. Highway 169 then make a right onto Fairgrounds Road and then a left onto Giant Drive.

It is about seven hours and forty minutes from St. Louis.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday- Friday, Daily

Admission: Free

Address:

1126 Green Giant Ln, Blue Earth, MN 56013

DAIRY QUEEN

If you want an Ice Cream cone or sundae, nearby is Dairy Queen

Hours: 10: 30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Daily

Address:

1130 Giant Dr, Blue Earth, MN 56013

MORE HIGH POINTS

*My son Andrew is at the high point in Indiana*

Reaching Indiana’s High Point

The highest natural point in Indiana, Hoosier Hill, is our stop on our drive along Interstate 70 going east. It is not that high, and you won’t get altitude sickness, but it is an easy way to mark off the list of the high points.

Missouri’s High Point- Taum Sauk

Taum Sauk Mountain State Park is where you hike to the highest point in the state and the highest wet weather waterfall and continue down to the rock formation of Devil’s Tollgate.

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