When you think about Iowa, what's the first thing that comes to mind? It may be corn, prairies and flat land, not a typical must-see for your RV travels. Iowa falls on the list of one of the least-visited states. What if I told you there's a reason to put Iowa on your RV travel map, and that reason is a charming little town in Iowa just outside of West Des Moines? I'm here to inform you that you will long to come back and visit more.
Take a short drive from I-80 to this off-the-beaten-path, amazing place: Madison County in Southern Iowa. Last year we did just that on our RV travels. As we headed out west with a few weeks to spare, we started investigating cities in Iowa. We stumbled upon Winterset, Iowa— one of the most charming towns we've ever visited in the Midwest. With a population of a little more than 5,000, this town is small but mighty. They pride themselves on welcoming everyone, which you can feel from visiting the local grocery store and meeting friendly faces on the street.
One of the first things you may notice once you arrive in Winterset are the covered bridges made famous by Clint Eastwood's iconic 1990s movie The Bridges of Madison County, which helped put Winterset on the map. Based on Robert James Waller's bestselling novel, The Bridges of Madison County was filmed entirely in Winterset in 1995, except for one scene filmed in Adel, Iowa. The story is set in 1965 when professional photographer Robert Kincaid, played by Clint Eastwood, travels to Winterset to photograph the iconic covered bridges for a National Geographic story. The love story is beautiful and, to this day, brings lovers to the bridges to pop the big question. Just writing about these bridges brings a smile to my face. They're incredibly charming and rich in history and detail. They have a romantic notion about them, as if you could fall in love just underneath the wooden beams. These covered bridges make for the perfect destination for a romantic afternoon, a photographer's dream location and an incredible place to pack a picnic and spend an afternoon. The covered bridges are rich in history, and the wood seems to hold a million stories from the past. If you're traveling with children, this is a perfect learning moment, as all the bridges hold the key to the many covered bridges built in the 19th century.
Let's talk about accommodations. As RVers, where we stay can make or break a visit, even in the most epic location. As a full-time RV family, there's nothing that we appreciate more than those hidden-gem RV parks. Winterset City Campground and RV Park is an RVers dream. This city-run RV park is situated next to the beautiful Winterset City Park. As a guest at the RV park, you can access miles of trails, an incredible garden maze and one of the iconic covered bridges. Built in 1870 by Eli Cox, the 79-foot-long Cutler-Donahoe Bridge is beautiful to walk and located right in the park, a short walk from your RV. This park is also the location of movie scenes from The Bridges of Madison County. If you're traveling with children, this park is among the most delightful, well planned and designed parks we've ever visited. It has two beautiful playgrounds and gorgeous carved wooden animals scattered throughout the park, which kept our kids excited each time they saw them.
The RV park also had the most room and green space we've ever seen between campsites. If traveling with furry friends is your thing, it's a pet lover's dream. We had plenty of room for our dogs to roam and more grass space than they knew what to do with. The icing on the cake for this RV park is the price point. Let's be honest: RV sites can get a little pricey. It's a steal at roughly $25 an evening for a 50-amp hook-up, pull-through site and water. There is also a dump station conveniently located at the park. The park was easy to navigate for larger rigs, which is always a bonus for us.
Once you've fallen in love with the RV park, it's time to hit the town of Winterset. You can journey into iconic America with a road trip along the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway. This 82-mile route helps travelers see life in the plains. It provides the perfect path to visit all the infamous covered bridges of Madison County, historical and cultural sites, and other unique destinations.
If hiking is something you enjoy, you can marvel at Clark Tower. This unique monument is a castle-like limestone tower located in Winterset City Park. It was built in 1926 on the 80th anniversary of the founding of Madison County, in memory of Caleb Clark, a stonemason from Madison County. This hike is a 2.3-mile loop, but don't let it fool you. The way in is uphill, so be prepared. If hiking is not an option, it is also accessible by car. I recommend visiting this castle at sunrise or sunset for some epic photography. It's also a gem of a location for children to turn on their imaginations and run, play and frolic as if they're lords and ladies of the castle.
The Chamber of Commerce has done an incredible job hosting various events throughout the year. They even hold a Bridges of Madison County Festival in the fall that's said to bring visitors from near and far. As you can imagine, Downtown Winterset is equally charming with a quaint historic town square.
The downtown area has eclectic shops and beautiful boutiques attracting high-end spending and touristy finds. I also loved how kid and pet-friendly this downtown area was, making it even more enjoyable for a family. Winterset dining was delicious and had such an overwhelming small-town feel and a welcoming environment for a traveler. It feels like being home with your family in some of these restaurants. Winterset is also home to wineries, and after a day roaming the bridges and downtown square, finding your favorite local wine is a delight.
Winterset is the birthplace of American film icon John Wayne, hence the award-winning John Wayne Birthplace & Museum. It's the only museum in the world dedicated to the legendary actor. It was a great way to learn more about his legacy and was beautifully thought out and engaging. Madison County is rich in history, and you can learn even more by visiting the Historical Complex or the Iowa Quilt Museum. Not only can you browse the quilting museum, but you can also take classes. If you're a quilter, you've hit the jackpot.
The Midwest is one of those destinations that RV travelers often skip over when going out east or west. Typically, we spend just a few nights in the Midwest as we pass through. We decided to slow things down on one trip out west and stumbled upon the lovely town of Winterset. I'm here to encourage you to add this town to your next trip and make this a destination, not just a pass-through for your RV travels. Winterset can hold its own in food, culture, shops, adventures and history. Winterset can also stand alone next to any significant destinations you're visiting out east or west. You'll leave a tiny part of your heart there and long to return and see more.
Between the covered bridges of Madison County, the adventuring and hikes, and the welcoming downtown area, I rank this photographer's dream of a landscape as a high priority for all travelers. It's family-friendly but also a peaceful getaway for couples or solo travelers. Winterset will steal your hearts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gwendolyn Call, her husband Brittan, three kiddos and two pups full-time travel in their RV. They love to share tips and tricks on how to live the full-time RV life, road school and find awesome off-the-beaten-path locations all while keeping their sanity and having fun. Gwendolyn's love of exploring amazing hiking locations for families, chasing sunsets and waterfalls, and photography have made RV life a dream come true to share!
You can follow along their journey on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube @chaoskiddosandharmony.
Or drop by their blog: Chaoskiddosandharmony.com.
