Whether you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast or just needing some fresh air, here are the top five outdoor destinations that should be on your itinerary.
1. Starr’s Cave Park & Preserve
Located just north of Burlington, Starr’s Cave Park & Preserve spans about 184 acres of oak-hickory woodlands, prairie remnants, limestone cliffs and scenic Flint Creek valley. With approximately two miles of hiking trails, including accessible segments, the preserve invites families to wander beneath towering bluffs that contain fossils - brachiopods, crinoids, cup coral, and gastropods - embedded in the limestone and dolomite rock.
Although the original Starr’s Cave is closed to protect native bats from white‑nose syndrome, visitors can still peer through the gates and spend time exploring Devil’s Kitchen and Crinoid Cavern, two historic man‑made caverns created by early 20th‑century mineral prospectors. The nearby Starr’s Cave Nature Center, housed in a renovated early‑20th‑century barn, offers environmental exhibits, live animals, and hands‑on learning experiences on weekends or by appointment, though hiking and trail access remain free anytime between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.
This space is perfect for families who appreciate geology, local history, birds, wildflowers, and creekside trails in a peaceful, natural setting.
2. Big Hollow Recreation Area
A little farther afield (near Sperry, about a 15–20 minute drive), Big Hollow Recreation Area encompasses approximately 798 acres, anchored by a 178-acre no‑wake lake surrounded by forested trails, ponds, and prairie patches.
While camping and boating rentals cost extra, simply walking the extensive trail system, exploring the lake shore, enjoying the shady woods and wildlife, or checking out the picnic and playground areas is completely free. Trails lead you past hardwoods, ponds, and water fringed with standing timber, ideal for fishing from shore, wildlife-watching, or a family stroll. In winter, cross‑country skiing and ice fishing may be available with gear at hand… again, no additional park admission is required.
Big Hollow delivers a mix of water‑edge scenery, forest hiking, and rural tranquility that families love.
3. Crapo Park & Dankwardt Park
These adjacent parks - Crapo Park (85 acres) and Dankwardt Park (72 acres) - border the Mississippi River in the heart of Burlington and offer some of the most beautiful, accessible outdoor space in town.
Crapo Park, created in 1895, is both a historic arboretum and botanical garden featuring more than 200 tree and shrub varieties, annual and perennial beds, Lake Starker, the Zebulon Pike Memorial, and the famed Black Hawk Spring & Cave. You’ll also discover paved walking paths, scenic riverfront views, shelters, and plenty of open lawns.
Dankwardt Park, located just south, was established in 1937 and includes open green space, woodland edges, picnic facilities, and a disc‑golf course (discs not provided), along with tennis courts and ball diamonds. A can’t-miss feature is Dankwardt’s inclusive playground, with amenities for children of all abilities.
Combined, these parks provide gardens, casual strolls, riverbank vistas, open lawns, historic features, and recreational fun.
4. Mosquito Park
Perched atop a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, Mosquito Park is a lesser-known gem that offers panoramic views of the river, perfect for multi-generational families or solo explorers looking for quiet photo moments or a casual picnic.
Although smaller than the others, Mosquito Park has benches where visitors pause to gaze across the water. It's often used as a scenic backdrop for wedding and family photos, but on an ordinary day it’s a peaceful retreat with sweeping vistas of Burlington and the river… completely free and open.
5. Pat Klein Park in West Burlington
In West Burlington, Pat Klein Park offers a lighted walking path, playground equipment tailored for all ages (including accessible, wheelchair‑friendly equipment), and the city’s largest shelter house.
A looped 4-foot‑wide paved trail encircles the play area, lit in the evenings for safe walking or jogging. It’s child‑safe, stroller‑friendly, and a low‑key stop for an energetic playground break, a twilight walk, or a shaded picnic under the shelter.
Get outside!
Each of these five outdoor locations offers a different kind of experience: geology and wildflowers at Starr’s Cave, lake‑side trails at Big Hollow, botanical beauty and disc‑golf at Crapo and Dankwardt, river bluffs and views at Mosquito Park, and neighborhood‑friendly play and path space at Pat Klein Park. Best of all, all are open to the public at no charge, making them perfect choices for family outings on any budget.
Greater Burlington Nature & Outdoors
