To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Iowa state parks, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources DNR partnered with three organizations, the Iowa Walking Club, the Nebraska Wander Freunde Trailblazers, and Iowa Parklands, to create 5k and 10k walking routes in 20 Iowa state parks. Maps and directions are free and available for download at https://www.iowadnr.gov/20walks
The 5k and 10k walks are intended for visitors to explore on their own or with a small group. Route starting points are marked with a Walk Box containing free maps, along with supplies for walking club members to submit donations as part of their membership. Walkers who are not members may use the maps and enjoy the walking routes as a free service for the 100th anniversary celebration.
The Iowa Walking Club and Nebraska Wander Freunde Trailblazers are non-profit organizations dedicated to physical fitness for all ages through long-distance walking and encourage social connections through membership. Both organizations are part of the American Volkssport Association. Iowa Parklands is an Iowa-based company that creates state park-themed maps and merchandise.
Parks included in 20 Walks in 2020 are:
- Beeds Lake
- Big Creek
- Geode
- Lake Anita
- Lake Darling
- Lake Macbride
- Lake Manawa
- Lake of Three Fires
- Ledges
- Lewis and Clark
- McIntosh Woods
- Mines of Spain
- Palisades-Kepler
- Pikes Peak
- Pilot Knob
- Prairie Rose
- Stephens State Forest
- Stone
- Volga River
- Waubonsie