Malanaphy Springs
- Hike
- 1 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Access is a 1 mi hike each way. Malanaphy Springs is a spring on the Upper Iowa River in Winneshiek County, Iowa.
Closures and warnings
Sensitive algific talus slopes and cliffs; stay on the trail and do not walk on fragile slope habitats. Spring water is very cold year-round. As of September 28, 2026.
Before you swim
| Water type | Spring |
|---|---|
| Water clarity | Iowa DNR: prominent spring issues from a cliff crevice; cascading falls end in about a 10-foot waterfall over tufa into the Upper Iowa River corridor. |
Access
| Hike | 1 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | From Decorah via Hwy 52, Pole Line Road (W20), then Bluffton Road to the signed preserve parking on the north side. |
| Parking | Signed roadside parking for Malanaphy Springs State Preserve on Bluffton Road (about 2834 Bluffton Road area), northwest of Decorah. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Malanaphy Springs State Preserve) |
| Restrooms | No |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | No |
| Shade | Yes |
| Note | 64-acre state preserve; walking trail from the lot to the spring and cascades. Cross-country skiing permitted on the trail; hunting permitted. |
Rules
| Camping | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Malanaphy Springs open?
Sensitive algific talus slopes and cliffs; stay on the trail and do not walk on fragile slope habitats. Spring water is very cold year-round. As of September 28, 2026.
How long is the hike to Malanaphy Springs?
It's a 1 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. From Decorah via Hwy 52, Pole Line Road (W20), then Bluffton Road to the signed preserve parking on the north side. Parking: Signed roadside parking for Malanaphy Springs State Preserve on Bluffton Road (about 2834 Bluffton Road area), northwest of Decorah.
Do you need a reservation for Malanaphy Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
What facilities are at Malanaphy Springs?
Shade structures. No restrooms and drinking water. 64-acre state preserve; walking trail from the lot to the spring and cascades. Cross-country skiing permitted on the trail; hunting permitted.
What are the rules at Malanaphy Springs?
Camping is not allowed.
Nearby
Nearby
Sources
2
- https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-preserves/malanaphy-springs-state-preserve (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName, access.parking / roadNote / permitRequired, swimmerNotes.waterType / waterClarityNote, access.amenities.note, hazardNote, access.roadSurface / camping not_allowed)
- https://visitdecorah.com/trail/malanaphy-springs/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi)
More: Iowa swimming holes