In business for over 45 years, Lichtsinn RV is located in Forest City, Iowa. In this small, Midwest town known for manufacturing Winnebago motorhomes, we are the dealership known for selling them across the country. We began as a local GM and Winnebago dealership in the 1970s, and have since grown into the top selling Winnebago Motorhome Dealer in North America with guests from all over the country.
We offer convenient airport transportation from the Minneapolis/St. Paul or Des Moines international airports to our dealership for those picking up their new or “new-to-them” RV without a trade-in. However, when our guests do have a trade-in, a trip across Iowa, ending at our dealership, may be necessary. And, regardless, once you pick up your RV you will have a drive home ahead of you.
We have many guests that make this trip. We wanted to share some of our favorite and most memorable locations to visit in Iowa on your way to our dealership or while heading home!
Our home state of Iowa sits perfectly between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, and is known for a landscape of rolling plains, cornfields, and wooded areas. The state is full of opportunities for hiking, biking, and camping including state parks and dedicated trails.
There are also larger cities that offer even more options to explore, most notably the capital, Des Moines. The capital includes the gold-domed State Capitol Building seen above, Des Moines Art Center, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and more. The capital also includes vibrant districts that highlight historical buildings with boutiques and natural history museums.
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption – One of the most unique landmarks in Iowa is the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption located in West Bend, Iowa, only one hour west of our dealership. This location is a religious shrine that portrays scenes from Christ’s life and is the largest man-made Grotto in the world. It is home to one of the largest collections of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location. The Grotto is free to the public, but they do accept free will donations.
Tulip Time Festival in Pella, IA – Each year, Pella, IA, hosts the Tulip Time festival to celebrate Dutch heritage and the vibrant blooming of over 300,000 tulips planted by the citizens of the town and volunteers. The flowers are planted in numerous parks and gardens throughout the town with most also including benches to rest on, art sculptures to admire and gazebos for shade. The festival also hosts multiple Grandstand shows including Dutch dancing and singing, a historic Dutch costume style show, the presentation of the Tulip Queen and her court, a cheese market, and more. Admission is free as you adventure through the town, but there are also numerous tours, museums, food booths, shows and more to enjoy with a fee.
American Gothic House – The American Gothic House, also known as the Dibble House, is a famous home in Eldon, Iowa, with a distinctive upper window. The house is prominently featured in the painting American Gothic, 1930 by Iowa-native, Grant Wood. Both the exterior and interior of the house are available to tour, and you can even borrow a pitchfork and costumes to recreate the famous painting.
Field of Dreams Movie Site – Located in Dyersville, Iowa, in Dubuque County, the Field of Dreams baseball field and tourist attraction was built for the 1989 movie of the same name. Even the farmhouse itself has been remodeled to match what is seen in the movie, and tours can be taken to be a part of the nostalgia and you can get a peek inside the home. Admission to the field and surrounding area is free, so you can snap as many photos as you like or play a few games of catch.
The Bridges of Madison County – Yet another notable tourist attraction sparked by the movies are the remaining Bridges of Madison County that are the inspiration behind and setting of the movie and book of the same name. Known as the Covered Bridge Capital of Iowa, Madison County, Iowa, is southwest of Des Moines and once boasted 19 covered bridges. Now, only six remain with five listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The remaining bridges are open year-round with no fee to visit.
Effigy Mounds National Monument – The Effigy Mounds National Monument is one of nearly 30 National Monuments in Iowa and features more than 200 prehistoric mounds built mostly in the first millennium CE. Many of these mounds are shaped like animals, including bears and birds. The visitor center is located at the park entrance where you can checkout museum exhibits that highlight archaeological and natural specimens and an auditorium. Rangers also provide guided hikes and prehistoric tool demonstrations for those who visit.
Pikes Peak State Park (RV Campsites Available) – The Iowa State Park system offers an outstanding array of outdoor hiking, biking, and more opportunities with over 80 states parks and recreation areas. Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, Iowa, is one of these parks and is often considered one of the most beautiful locations in Iowa. The park features a 500-foot bluff overlooking the Upper Mississippi River as well as 11 miles of trails with scenic bluffs, valleys and viewing platforms. The campground includes multiple RV camping sites with both back-in and pull-through options with standard 20, 30, and 50-amp electrical as well as a few sites that include full-hookup.
Ledges State Park (RV Campsites Available) – Ledges States Park is another state park known for its beautiful trail system that winds through steep slopes and scenic overviews. The location contains a sandstone gorge carved by Pea’s Creek, a tributary of the Des Moines River. The gorge itself is 100 feet deep in some places along the trails. Surrounded by Iowa’s natural beauty, the park offers a four-mile trail system with spectacular views of the Pea’s Creek “canyon,” newly renovated campsites, and a stream-walk along Pea’s creek. A nearby location also allows for canoeing or kayaking down the Des Moines River. The available campground has both pull-through and back-in RV sites with standard electric of 20, 30, and 50-amp hookups.
Dunning’s Spring Park – Only minutes from downtown Decorah, Iowa, Dunning’s Spring Park features a spectacular 200-foot waterfall surrounded by limestone cliffs as well as a series of trails to enjoy the view from the source of Dunning’s Spring. Nearby, you can also visit the Decorah Ice Cave which is believed to be the largest known ice cave in eastern North America and features unusual deposits of ice which coat its walls. Both of these locations are available to the public free of charge.
Maquoketa Caves State Park (RV Campsites Available) – With more caves than any other state park in Iowa, Maquoketa Caves State Park is one of the most unique outdoor attractions of the state. The location features 13 caves and is spread across 370 acres nestled among hardwood trees and enormous bluffs. You can also hike the 6-mile trail system that is links the caves and scenic overlooks throughout the park. The campground on site also includes available RV back-in sites that include 20, 30, and 50 Amp electric hookups.
As you can see, Iowa has much to offer for any type of adventurer with many locations that provide the convenience of RV campground sites. There are many more hiking and biking opportunities, state parks, and city life to explore on your trip to our dealership and home. When preparing for your drive, make sure you keep these locations and attractions in mind to explore!
Experience the Best® at Lichtsinn RV, we have been recognized by Winnebago Industries as the #1 Winnebago Dealer in North America each year since 2015. Lichtsinn RV is located 1 mile north of Winnebago Industries in Forest City, IA and we proudly sell new Winnebago motorhomes and pre-owned RVs from various manufacturers. While at Lichtsinn RV, you can expect no delivery miles on new RVs, a complimentary half-day educational orientation of your RV, excellent guest reviews, an assigned support team from sales, parts, service and the business office, superior accommodations, no-hassle pricing and competitive financing. See our extensive new and used inventory here. Lichtsinn RV Recognized as #1 Dealer in Iowa
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