White Pine Hollow Might Be Iowa’s Wildest Hidden Hiking Gem

White Pine Hollow State Forest quickly became one of the more memorable hiking areas my wife and I have explored in Iowa. The forest feels remote in a way that's hard to find in the Midwest. Deep ravines, cold streams, limestone bluffs, and suffocatingly thick woods create an experience that feels more rugged than many people expect from Iowa hiking. In fact, the area reminds me a great deal of my family's time spent hiking the Smoky Mountains.

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It's worth mentioning that White Pine Hollow is one of just 10 state forest units in Iowa. Located in Dubuque County near Luxemburg, the 944-acre area protects one of the oldest and largest remaining stands of white pine in the state.

Part of the forest also holds designation as an Iowa State Preserve and a National Natural Landmark because of its rare ecology and geological features. The area sits within the Driftless Area and contains steep terrain, sinkholes, caves, springs, and supports plants and wildlife rarely found elsewhere in Iowa.

Read More: Iowa's Top 7 Forests to Hike, Camp, and Enjoy

Our first visit to White Pine Hollow was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. We entered near White Pine Lane and quickly realized all too late that the trails became difficult to follow. As we explored deeper into the hollow, a major thunderstorm rolled in overhead. The hike instantly became a race back to the car, with three kids in tow. We pushed through wet brush, burs, and sticky seed pods while thunder echoed across the ravines. By the time we made it back, we were a bit wet and exhausted, but it made for a story we still laugh about today. My wife claims I tried to abandon the girls, as my son and I trudged forward at a much faster pace, but I would have gone back for them.

Anyway, my wife and I returned this weekend after doing a little kore research and found another access point off of Lake Road. This second trip allowed us to appreciate the area in a completely different way, a completely different section of the forest we'd never even seen.

We descended toward a spring-fed stream that eventually flows into the Little Turkey River.

Recent storms raised the water levels, so the stream crossings, of which there are two, took some careful footing.

In fact, my wife ended our hike with at least one wet sock. The video below shows even more of our experience at White Pine Hollow.

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The trail itself felt primitive and only lightly maintained. In several places it faded into what looked more like deer paths than official hiking routes, especially towards the end of the "trail."

Even with the somewhat challenging terrain, the scenery was incredible. The hollow glows with layers of green vegetation mixed with purple and yellow wildflowers. Mushrooms covered fallen logs, including a large patch of golden oyster mushrooms.

Early raspberries had just started forming along the trail edges. Ferns created scenes reminiscent of something from the Jurassic Park movies.

Bumble bees moved from flower to flower, while the mosquitoes and gnats treated us like an all-you-can-eat buffet. A light haze hovered above the cool water and gave the entire hollow a quiet, almost secret atmosphere.

Sure, White Pine Hollow doesn't exactly offer "polished trails" or "modern conveniences," but that's exactly what makes it special. The forest rewards hikers who enjoy exploration, solitude, and a little uncertainty along the way. Next time, I'm thinking long pants, and a bit of off trail exploration is in order.

Check Out My Other Iowa Adventures!