Dunning's Spring Park

The sign says it's a half-mile hike up to the falls from the parking lot. It didn't seem near that far, even to an old, fat, out-of-shape guy like me. It's a very beautiful (if uphill!) walk. The kids went even further and climbed up the stairs to the top of the falls, and even climbed up and down the rocks. Beautiful and peaceful! The stream is refreshingly cool to wade in. Lots of fun!

Beautiful, SMALL, park. It's some place you go for a nice scenic walk. It is above all beautiful. I would go back just for the walk.

I can't say enough good things about Dunning's Springs and the Ice Cave. The biggest natural waterfall I have ever seen in Iowa and it doesn't take a massive hike to get there. There are other neat trails around it that you can see some pretty overlooks of Decorah. The Ice Cave is also amazing. Decent size and you go inside it without a tour guide. Definitely recommend this park if you are in the area!

As a Luther grad, this place is special. Truly an experience for all your senses, especially in the fall! Even if you have mobility issues, you can get into the park & see the springs easily.

What a pretty place to visit. It's peaceful, clean, and beautiful. Quite a hidden gem.

There are many trails available around and along the river, creek, and falls. However, we opted to just walk up from the quaint parking lot to the falls as it was handicap accessible. Having a walker-dependent person in our party, this was a great choice. We had no issues and were able to enjoy our visit tremendously.

There were port-a-pottys on site near the parking lot.

His water was a little low but it was really fun to wander

This is such a sweet little stop if you are in Decorah and have a little extra time this should be a stop on your trip. The short hike back to the falls if refreshing and flat. Good for all ages and abilities. The short hike up to the top is steeper and not recommended for everyone. I have heard it is good luck to dip your toes into the water so we did of course. It was cool and felt awesome! This is a peaceful spot to just sit and listen to the running water as well. We will return.

It's always a beautiful hike. Perfect to escape the family after a holiday meal, and you hardly even run into strangers. The addition of the bridge and stone steps in the last few years has made it a nice photo op to brag to friends you are outside and not stuck doing dishes with aunt Delores.

Awesome place in a beautiful part of Iowa ! We don't see waterfalls in Iowa very often, so you should get pumped when ya see this !

Oh My GOD. ....
What a wonderful and amazing place to visit with Family and Friends around Iowa.
Water coming from chest of the Mountain, is looking superb and awesome.
We were nine friends while visiting the mysterious place.
Had lots of fun.
Enjoyed too much there.
Water is very cold even in June.
I'll suggest to everyone, must visit the place specifically in Summer.
Children can also play in water before that mountainous slopes and topography.
A small kind of sitting place can be managed for gathering.
Plantations along with the mountain and water looks very attractive and beautiful.

Beautiful spot to visit. Love the waterfall and stream.

This place gets BUSY!
There is a fairly large dirt parking lot, and many people were parked along the road as well. The walk starts along a paved road with the stream running alongside (closed to traffic except for dropoffs- very accessible!)
Within only a few feet you see the large, beautiful waterfall! ICE cold, super clear water. It was packed full of people on a Saturday, so we didn't stay as long as we wanted to, but it's definitely worth even a quick stop!
Also check out Ice Cave Hill- stay parked in the same lot and just walk a little further! You'll see the signs.

Pretty neat place. There is a wooden walk path to get right up close to the springs.

Beautiful spot for a hike to the top were the spring is . If you are up for the challenge the .1 mile hike although it is short it is steep. but worth the view to see all of Downtown Decorah

This place is a hidden gem located in northeast Iowa. Wow! We have driven across the country and seen waterfalls that were not as nice as this one. From the parking area is is an easy 200 yard walk up to the base of the falls. The walk is all shaded and with the cool water running along the trail it is a very comfortable walk. Located in beautiful Decorah, Iowa. Check it out!!!

Gorgeous waterfall. Beautiful trees in the fall. Plenty of parking, about a 7 minute walk to get to the falls. Pretty busy in the fall when the colors pop

What an awesome stop. It was pouring so we did not go visit the Ice Cabe and will be back to see that, but we did walk up to the Springs. Again, kids will love it and so will adults. Iowa has some true hidden cool things to see. Just have to look.

Dunning's Spring Park located in Decorah has a beautiful waterfall and Ice Cave. It's a small walk to see an amazing waterfall nestled into what looks to be an historic home area. Small parking area that holds maybe 10 to 12 cars. It has a nicely built stone brings that crosses over the springs that leads to a set of stairs to view the grand waterfall at the top. The best pictures are most definitely taken from the bottom when you see all the natural beauty and it's rapids.

We decided to take the river trail Hudrahs loop/ River Trail to see if we could see the ice cave. At the start of the trail it was a very small foot trail with tall weeds. What I wasn't expecting was seeing so many Giant Hogweed plants along the trail (very toxic very poisonous invasive plant) growing along on both sides of this trail. We got to a small section where it was one person passage and then a bike zoomed by, it is a shared trail. The thicket was dense along and one small tree had fallen covering part of the trail and we continued on. There were not that many people on the trail when we went however when we got back to the parking area it was packed and with people parking outside along the drive.

Best advice get there early to beat the crowds 9am to 11am is when we got there and left. Also maybe think about wearing long sleeve and pants to keep your skin a barrier just in case that hogweed gets further out into the trail path.

Absolutely stunning waterfall easy hike to the base and more advanced hike available to the top or climb a large staircase to get to the mouth of the spring.

We loved this place! Great moutain biking and a beautiful place to take a break by the spring and cool off.