Covered bridges, Dutch windmills and the Amana Colonies
Central Iowa’s gentle side: a sandstone canyon, the covered bridges of Madison County, Dutch Pella and the German Amana villages.
- Distance
- 372 km (231 mi)
- Driving
- 4 h 08 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- States
- IA
- Updated
- May 15, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 372 km (231 mi) with 8 stops, from Ledges State Park to Amana Colonies. About 4 h 08 min of driving in total.
Route description
Start north-west of Des Moines at Ledges State Park near Boone, where a road runs along a creek through sandstone ledges; it floods after heavy rain, so check conditions. Then drive south to Des Moines and on to Winterset, the Madison County seat with a courthouse square and the birthplace of John Wayne.
Six historic covered bridges survive in the county. Roseman, famous from The Bridges of Madison County, and Holliwell, the longest, both sit on gravel roads outside Winterset; pick up a bridge map in town. The Covered Bridge Festival fills the town in October.
Head east to Pella, founded by Dutch immigrants, where the Vermeer Windmill turns in the historical village and canals and gables line the square. Tulip Time in early May is spectacular but crowded.
I-80 then leads east to the Amana Colonies, seven villages built by German Pietists who lived communally until 1932. Wander the old brick buildings, shops and bakeries, then continue east to Iowa City or on to the interstate.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Ledges State Park
NatureBoone, IASandstone ledges and a creek-bottom road through a small canyon by the Des Moines River. The road floods after heavy rain, so check before driving through.
- 260 km
Des Moines
IA - 352 km
Winterset
IA - 417 km
Roseman Covered Bridge
HistoryWinterset, IAThe most famous of Madison County’s covered bridges, made widely known by the book and film The Bridges of Madison County. Reached on a gravel road.
- 518 km
Holliwell Covered Bridge
HistoryWinterset, IAThe longest of the county’s surviving covered bridges, spanning the Middle River in a quiet, wooded setting. Closed to cars but open to walk across.
- 6109 km
Pella
IA - 70 km
Vermeer Windmill
HistoryPella, IAA working Dutch-style windmill built in the Netherlands and reassembled in Pella’s historical village. Visit during Tulip Time in early May, when the town is in bloom.
- 8117 km
Amana Colonies
HistoryAmana, IASeven villages founded by German Pietists who lived communally until 1932. Walk the brick and sandstone streets and stop for German-style food and crafts.
