Best Iowa Travel Guides of 2026

The Miracle Season is the heartwarming story of a high school volleyball team's journey to overcome the tragic loss of their star player, Caroline Found, and her mother. The book includes a bonus movie section with a Q&A from the author and Academy Award-winning actress Helen Hunt, who stars in the film adaptation. Author Kathy Bresnahan's personal account of the team's struggle to find hope and healing after such devastating loss is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and love. This book is a must-read for anyone who has faced adversity and found the strength to move forward.

The National Parks Bucket List Guide & Journal is a must-have for anyone planning to explore all 63 national parks in the U.S. This book is an international bestseller, and for good reason. It provides a complete guide to all the national parks, including important attractions, things to do, and special information and tips. The second part of the book allows readers to document their memories and make their trip personal. The book is small enough to carry around but big enough to write in easily. It's ideal for adults and kids alike who enjoy touring the United States in search of national park adventures.

Above Okoboji is a stunning book of drone photography capturing the beauty of the lakes in the northwest corner of Iowa. Tom Gustafson's 250 unique photographs are divided into morning, afternoon, and early evening sections, with fold-out panoramas showcasing the various moods of Okoboji. The book also includes a map of where each photo was taken. As a licensed drone pilot and photographer, Gustafson's aerial views connect us to the places we love. Above Okoboji is a must-have for anyone who has visited or wants to visit this special place in Iowa.

Greater Than a Tourist- Iowa, USA is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to the Hawkeye State. Written by local author Sharon Rubel, this travel guidebook offers insider tips on cultural experiences, culinary delights, and attractions that you won't find in other travel books. Unlike most tourist guides that provide basic information on addresses and store hours, this book focuses on giving readers a genuine feel for the state's people and culture. With 50 travel tips from a local, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to slow down, stay in one place, and truly get to know Iowa.

The Best in Tent Camping: Illinois is an essential guide for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy camping in serene and secluded locations. This guidebook provides detailed information on the 50 best campsites in Illinois, including descriptions of each site, nearby activities, and essential information such as facilities, rates, and directions. The guidebook covers both well-known parks and local secrets that can't be found through internet searches. The book has received positive reviews, with critics praising it for its focus on tent camping and its in-depth coverage of each campsite. Overall, this book is highly recommended for anyone looking to explore the best of Illinois' camping sites.

The Large Print Iowa Word Searches book is an entertaining and informative puzzle book that features 200 word search puzzles about the Hawkeye State. It is an excellent gift for students and adults who want to sharpen their minds while learning about Iowa's history, culture, and landmarks. The book contains large-print puzzles that are easy on the eyes and appropriate for ages ten and up. The puzzles cover a wide range of topics, including famous landmarks, historical sites, and native people. Overall, this book is an enjoyable way to learn about Iowa, and its unique features make it stand out from other puzzle books.

Driftless: Photographs from Iowa is a collection of mesmerizing black-and-white photographs by Danny Wilcox Frazier, showcasing the changing Midwest of vanishing towns and transformed landscapes. The book portrays how rural economies are failing, and people, resources, and services are migrating to coasts and cities, leaving the heart of America empty. Frazier's camera captures the lives of people who stay behind and continue to live there, along with newcomers, in a poetic and dark yet insightful way. This book is a portrait of contemporary rural Iowa, but it also shows what is happening in many rural communities all over the United States.

Visits with the Amish: Impressions of the Plain Life by Linda Egenes offers an informative and heartwarming introduction to the Old Order Amish lifeways. Egenes visited her Amish neighbors in southeast Iowa for thirteen years, experiencing their slower pace of life and strong community ties. Her engaging account, illustrated with woodcuts by Mary Azarian, captures the faithful heart of this community of believers. It is a direct, respectful, and informative book that offers insights into the serene and peaceful ways of the Amish people.

An American Bum in China is a true story of Matthew Evans, a disabled cancer survivor who left Iowa to pursue his Chinese Dream. Tom Carter's engaging narrative captures Evans' epic five-year adventure that includes homelessness, posing as a professor, imprisonment, deportation, and getting caught in the middle of the 2014 Hong Kong protests. This book serves as a cautionary tale for anyone who believes that China needs Americans more than Americans need China. Carter's prose is deft, and his observations show an excellent knowledge of what he speaks. This book is a fun and whimsical read about one of America's oddest new pioneers and also captures the bleak zeitgeist of our age.