Major city · United States
Boone, Iowa
Half a day to one night: ride the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad, hike Ledges State Park, then go. Not a base.
Boone is a small city in Central Iowa, best known as the birthplace of First Lady Mamie Eisenhower and for the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. The main draw is the nearby Ledges State Park, a wooded canyon with sandstone bluffs and 13 miles of hiking trails. Most visitors pass through on a half-day trip from Des Moines or Ames, or stay one night to ride the train and explore the park.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some trails icy)
- Airport
- BNW
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Boone, Iowa911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Boone Police Department (non-emergency)515-432-3341
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Boone, Iowa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe small city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 515-432-3341 Boone Police Department (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBNW Boone Municipal Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled passenger service.
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée at a sit-down restaurant$12–25
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich or burger$8–14
- BeerBeer (pint)$4–6
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BNW Boone Municipal Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled passenger service. Fly into Des Moines International (DSM, about 50 mi south) or use I-35.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Boone, Iowa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
6 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. Boone is small enough to walk downtown, but Ledges State Park and the High Trestle Trail are 4–18 miles out. No public transit of note.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 50 min
I-35 south, about 50 min
State capitol, museums, food scene; easy day trip.
Door to door: 20 min
US 30 east, about 20 min
College town with Iowa State University, restaurants and shops.
Grinnell
goDoor to door: 1 h
US 30 east, about 1 h
Historic downtown and Grinnell College campus.
Door to door: 1 h
I-35 south then US 6 east, about 1 h
Small town with a few attractions; not a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Boone
Near the railroad depot and a few restaurants; walkable.
Along US 30
Chain motels with parking; convenient for drivers.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad ticket (round trip)2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$35 |
| Trip total≈ US$193 per person per day, bed included | US$385 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch sandwich or burger | $8–14 |
| Dinner entrée at a sit-down restaurant | $12–25 |
| Beer (pint) | $4–6 |
| Gasoline (per US gallon)check | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ledges State Park's one-way canyon road closes when flooded: check the Iowa DNR site before driving in.
- High Trestle Trail bridge lights up after dark; the trail is 18 mi south of Boone, not in town.
- No Uber or Lyft reliably available; plan your own wheels.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Boone Police Department (non-emergency)
- 515-432-3341
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Boone, IowaBoone, Iowa
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Boone Police (non-emergency)515-432-3341
Embassy
Embassies are in Washington, DC. The nearest consulates are in Chicago (about 4 h east).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Des Moines (DSM) to Boone by rental car: about 50 min via I-35 north
- Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad round trip: about $25 (check)
- Ledges State Park vehicle entry: about $5 (check)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Boone, Iowa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some trails icy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Ledges State Park and Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad with verified hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages with last-order times for the handful of downtown restaurants.
- Seasonal closure fixture for the Ledges canyon road.
Sources
- officialBoone official website
- officialBoone & Scenic Valley Railroad
- officialLedges State Park (Iowa DNR)
- officialHigh Trestle Trail (INHF)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Boone (Iowa), revision 5011908 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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