Lake Ahquabi State Park, Iowa

Lakeside livin’ at its finest. Meaning “resting place” in the Sauk and Fox languages, Ahquabi is certainly one heck of a spot to simply kick back and relax. When you’ve had enough of chilling out at your campsite, miles and miles of trails wander around Lake Ahquabi that are totally perfect for hiking, biking, and wintertime cross-country skiing. In the summer, water spots are pretty darn popular. Take out a boat or paddle along the peaceful lake on a canoe and you’ll soon understand why—Lake Ahquabi State Park feels like a total haven away from the world. The best part? It’s located just under an hours drive from the big city of Des Moines.