Pikes Peak Overlook Trail – Pikes Peak Sp

Distance: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: 300 ft Difficulty: Moderate Type: Out-and-Back Surface: Dirt/Rock Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 1-2 hours Fee: Free Dogs: Yes, on leash Permit: No

Iowa's own Pikes Peak stands 500 feet above the Mississippi River and offers one of the most dramatic overlooks in the entire Upper Midwest. The summit viewpoint encompasses the Wisconsin bluffs across the river, the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, and countless river islands below. The height is modest compared to Colorado's namesake but the views are genuinely spectacular. Bald eagles soar at eye level from the overlook from December through March.