Battle Hill
1,273 ft | 1 trails | Iowa
1,273 ft
1 routes
Easy
About Battle Hill
Battle Hill is a 1,273-foot summit in Iowa. The Battle Hill Trail covers 1.2 miles round trip (out-and-back) with about 32 feet of elevation gain — a gradual walk with modest climbing.
Getting There
The trailhead is at 42.31951, -95.592 (tap for driving directions). It's roughly 215 miles southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Arrive early on weekends — trailhead lots at popular peaks fill quickly, and cell service is often unreliable once you leave the highway.
When to Go
Spring through fall is the main season. Conditions change fast in the shoulder months — check a point forecast for the summit, not the nearest town, before you commit.
Know Before You Go
The Easy rating comes from the National Park Service difficulty formula, which weighs total distance against elevation gain. Most hikers should budget about 0.5 hours of moving time; add margin for breaks, photos and the descent. Download the GPX track from this page before you go — cell coverage is unreliable in the mountains and a saved route works offline in any GPS app. Conditions change: verify current access, closures and weather with the official land manager before you go. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Looking to link objectives or plan a weekend? Nearby summits include Granger Hill, Pilot Rock and Durr Hill — each has its own guide on this site.
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Check Current Conditions
Trail conditions change frequently. Check the official land manager's site (linked under Data Sources on this page) and the NWS forecast before your hike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hike Battle Hill?
The Battle Hill Trail is 1.2 miles round trip with about 32 feet of elevation gain, and most hikers take roughly 0.5 hours of moving time. Add time for breaks and conditions — winter or wet weather can double the trip.
How hard is the Battle Hill hike?
It's rated Easy using the National Park Service difficulty formula (1.2 miles round trip, 32 ft of gain — about 50 ft of climbing per mile). The elevation profile on this page shows exactly where the steep sections fall.
Where is the Battle Hill trailhead?
The trailhead is at 42.31951, -95.592 in Iowa. Use the driving-directions link in the Getting There section above, and note that parking at popular trailheads fills early on weekends.
Are dogs allowed on the Battle Hill trail?
Rules vary by land manager — national parks often prohibit dogs on trails, while most national forests allow them on leash. Check with the managing agency for this trail before bringing your dog, and pack out waste.
When is the best time to hike Battle Hill?
Late May through October for snow-free hiking. Check a summit point forecast before you go — conditions up high differ from the trailhead.
How tall is Battle Hill?
Battle Hill stands at 1,273 feet (388 meters) in Iowa.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Normal hiking conditions
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the summit by this time to allow safe descent before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Summit Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.