List of Iowa state parks

This is a list of state parks and recreation areas in Iowa. These state parks of the U.S. state of Iowa can be split into two groups based on management. The first group are those state parks managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The second group are those state parks managed by the county in which they are found.

Map of State Parks of Iowa
Hold cursor over locations to display park name;
click to go to park article.
State-managed parks; County-managed parks

DNR-managed state parks
Park name County or counties Nearby city Area[1] Date established[2] Body of water Remarks[2]
acres ha
Ambrose A. Call State ParkKossuth CountyAlgona130 531925Des Moines RiverFeatures heavily wooded hills and a reconstructed log cabin on the site of the first cabin in Kossuth County, built in 1854 by settler Ambrose A. Call.
Backbone State ParkDelaware CountyStrawberry Point2,000 8101919Maquoketa River, Backbone LakeFeatures a rock ridge up to 80 feet (24 m) high, a recreational reservoir, and a museum on the Civilian Conservation Corps in Iowa.
Badger Creek State Recreation AreaMadison CountyVan Meter1,162 470Badger Creek LakeFeatures a 276-acre (112 ha) fishing lake outside Des Moines.
Banner Lakes at Summerset State ParkWarren CountyIndianola222 902002Banner LakesProvides fishing and mountain biking opportunities on the site of a rehabilitated open-pit coal mine.
Beed's Lake State ParkFranklin CountyHampton319 129[3]1934Beed's LakeSurrounds a 99-acre (40 ha) reservoir crossed by a 170-foot (52 m) causeway built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Bellevue State ParkJackson CountyBellevue770 310[4]Mississippi RiverComprises two units on high river bluffs, with a nature center and butterfly garden.
Big Creek State ParkPolk CountyPolk City3,550 1,440Big Creek LakeSurrounds an 866-acre (350 ha) recreational reservoir originally created as a flood control project.
Black Hawk State ParkSac CountyLake View86 35[5]1935Black Hawk LakeComprises shoreline on the southernmost glacial lake in Iowa.
Brushy Creek State Recreation AreaWebster CountyLehigh6,500 2,600[6]Des Moines River, Brushy Creek ReservoirForms one of the state's largest public outdoor recreation properties, with a 690-acre (280 ha) reservoir.
Cedar Rock State ParkBuchanan CountyQuasqueton423 171[7]1981Wapsipinicon RiverOffers tours of a Frank Lloyd Wright house built in 1950 in his Usonian style.
Clear Lake State ParkCerro Gordo CountyClear Lake55 221924Clear LakeAbuts the south shore of 3,643-acre (1,474 ha) Clear Lake.
Dolliver Memorial State ParkWebster CountyLehigh600 240[8]1925Des Moines RiverShowcases tall river bluffs and narrow ravines.
Elinor Bedell State ParkDickinson CountySpirit Lake80 321998East Okoboji LakeProvides public access to one of the Iowa Great Lakes.
Elk Rock State ParkMarion CountyKnoxville850 340[9]1978Lake Red RockComprises two parcels on Iowa's largest body of water.
Emerson Bay State Recreation AreaDickinson CountyMilford12 4.9West Okoboji LakeProvides public access to one of the Iowa Great Lakes.
Fairport State Recreation AreaMuscatine CountyMuscatine17 6.9[10]Mississippi RiverProvides water recreation opportunities 6 miles (9.7 km) from Wildcat Den State Park.
Fort Atkinson State PreserveWinneshiek CountyFort Atkinson5 2.0[11]1968NoneInterprets the remains of a U.S. Army frontier fort manned from 1840-1849 to monitor the resettled Ho-Chunk tribe.
Fort Defiance State ParkEmmet CountyEstherville221 891930[12]NoneCommemorates the site of a fort built to protect the Iowa border during the Dakota War of 1862.
Geode State ParkHenry CountyDanville1,641 664Skunk River, Lake GeodeFeatures a 187-acre (76 ha) recreational reservoir and a display of geodes, the Iowa state rock.
George Wyth Memorial State ParkBlack Hawk CountyWaterloo1,200 4901940Cedar River and several lakesProtects a natural area within the Waterloo – Cedar Falls metropolitan area.
Green Valley State ParkUnion CountyCreston990 400[13]Green Valley LakeSurrounds a 390-acre (160 ha) recreational reservoir.
Gull Point State ParkDickinson CountyMilford195 79[14]1933West Okoboji LakeProtects a natural area on one of the Iowa Great Lakes.
Honey Creek State ParkAppanoose CountyMoravia828 335Rathbun LakeProvides outdoor recreation opportunities on the north shore of 11,000-acre (4,500 ha) Rathbun Lake.
Honey Creek Resort State ParkAppanoose CountyMoravia828 3352008[15]Rathbun LakeMixes outdoor recreation with higher-end amenities such as a lodge, luxury cabins, golf course, and indoor water park.
Lacey-Keosauqua State ParkVan Buren CountyKeosauqua1,653 6691921Des Moines RiverProtects Indian mounds and a 30-acre (12 ha) lake on a bend of the Des Moines River.
Lake Ahquabi State ParkWarren CountyIndianola770 3101936Lake AhquabiSurrounds a 115-acre (47 ha) recreational reservoir named "resting place" in the Fox language.
Lake Anita State ParkCass CountyAnita1,062 4301961Lake AnitaSurrounds a 171-acre (69 ha) recreational reservoir.
Lake Darling State ParkWashington CountyBrighton1,387 5611950Lake DarlingHonors Ding Darling, two-time Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning winner and early conservationist, with a 171-acre (69 ha) recreational reservoir.
Lake Keomah State ParkMahaska CountyOskaloosa366 1481934Lake KeomahSurrounds an 83-acre (34 ha) recreational reservoir.
Lake Macbride State ParkJohnson CountySolon2,810 1,1401937Lake Macbride, Coralville LakeBorders an 812-acre (329 ha) recreational reservoir.
Lake Manawa State ParkPottawattamie CountyCouncil Bluffs1,529 619Lake ManawaProvides boating opportunities in the Omaha – Council Bluffs metropolitan area on a 772-acre (312 ha) lake created by the Missouri River changing course after the Great Flood of 1881.
Lake of Three Fires State ParkTaylor CountyBedford1,155 467[16]1935Lake of Three FiresSurrounds an 85-acre (34 ha) recreational reservoir named for a Council of Three Fires meeting once held there by three Native American tribes.
Lake Wapello State ParkDavis CountyDrakesville1,150 470Lake WapelloSurrounds a 289-acre (117 ha) recreational reservoir.
Ledges State ParkBoone CountyBoone1,200 490[17]1924Des Moines River, Pea's CreekShowcases a 100-foot (30 m) deep sandstone gorge with concretions jutting from its side like ledges.
Lewis and Clark State ParkMonona CountyOnawa176 71Blue LakeCommemorates the site where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped on August 10, 1804; with a replica of their keelboat on a 220-acre (89 ha) oxbow lake.
Lower Gar State Recreation AreaDickinson CountyArnolds Park7 2.8Lower Gar LakeProvides public access to one of the Iowa Great Lakes.
Maquoketa Caves State ParkJackson CountyMaquoketa323 131[18]1921Raccoon CreekPreserves 13 caves, some developed with lighting and walkways and others in a natural state.
Marble Beach State Recreation AreaDickinson CountyOrleans64 26Spirit LakeProvides the largest campground in the Iowa Great Lakes region.
McIntosh Woods State ParkCerro Gordo CountyVentura62 251943Clear LakeProvides the primary boating access to 3,643-acre (1,474 ha) Clear Lake.
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature CenterDubuque CountyDubuque1,387 5611981Mississippi RiverFeatures a monument to Julien Dubuque, the first European settler in Iowa, and recipient of a 1796 land and mining grant from then-owner the Governor of Spain.
Mini-Wakan State ParkDickinson CountySpirit Lake20 8.1Spirit LakeLies on the north shore of the state's largest natural lake, in the Iowa Great Lakes region.
Nine Eagles State ParkDecatur CountyDavis City1,119 453Nine Eagles LakeFeatures a 64-acre (26 ha) recreational reservoir and surrounding woods.
Okamanpedan State ParkEmmet CountyDolliver19 7.7Okamanpeedan LakeProvides fishing and boating access on the south shore of a lake on the Iowa – Minnesota border.
Palisades-Kepler State ParkLinn CountyMt. Vernon840 3401922Cedar RiverFeatures dramatic river bluffs and deep ravines on the site of an early 20th Century resort.
Pikes Peak State ParkClayton CountyMcGregor970 3901935Mississippi RiverFeatures a 500-foot (150 m) river bluff named by Zebulon Pike several years before documenting Pikes Peak in Colorado.
Pikes Point State ParkDickinson CountySpirit Lake15 6.1West Okoboji LakeOffers one of the most popular swimming beaches in the Iowa Great Lakes region.
Pilot Knob State ParkHancock CountyForest City528 214[19]1923Pilot Knob Lake, Dead Man's LakeFeatures an observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps on Iowa's second-tallest point, and the state's only sphagnum bog.
Pine Lake State ParkHardin CountyEldora585 237Iowa River, Upper and Lower Pine LakesEncompasses two lakes surrounded by 250-year-old eastern white pines.
Pleasant Creek State Recreation AreaLinn CountyPalo1,927 780[20]Pleasant Creek LakeSurrounds a 410-acre (170 ha) recreational reservoir located between the cities of Cedar Rapids and Waterloo.
Prairie Rose State ParkShelby CountyHarlan661 2671962Prairie Rose LakeSurrounds a 218-acre (88 ha) recreational reservoir.
Preparation Canyon State ParkMonona CountyMoorhead344 139NonePreserves a section of the Loess Hills on the site of a town founded in 1853 by a Mormon splinter group led by Charles B. Thompson.
Red Haw State ParkLucas CountyChariton649 263Red Haw LakeSurrounds a 72-acre (29 ha) recreational reservoir.
Rice Lake State ParkWinnebago CountyLake Mills15 6.1Rice LakeAbuts a 1,200-acre (490 ha) lake.
Rock Creek State ParkJasper CountyKellogg1,697 687[21]1952Rock Creek LakeSurrounds a 602-acre (244 ha) recreational reservoir.
Springbrook State ParkGuthrie CountyYale920 3701926Middle Raccoon RiverFeatures a conservation education center, a rental retreat, a 17-acre (6.9 ha) lake, and public hunting areas.
Stone State ParkWoodbury and Plymouth CountiesSioux City1,069 433[22]1935Big Sioux RiverPreserves a natural section of the Loess Hills.
Templar State Recreation AreaDickinson CountySpirit Lake10 4.0Spirit LakeProvides a sheltered lagoon for launching boats on the Iowa Great Lakes.
Trapper's Bay State ParkDickinson CountyLake Park57 23Silver LakeOffers additional public recreation space on the periphery of the Iowa Great Lakes region.
Twin Lakes State ParkCalhoun CountyRockwell City15 6.1North Twin LakesComprises two day-use areas on a 453-acre (183 ha) natural lake.
Union Grove State ParkTama CountyGladbrook282 114[23]1938Union Grove LakeSurrounds a 110-acre (45 ha) recreational reservoir.
Viking Lake State ParkMontgomery CountyStanton1,000 400Viking LakePreserves natural areas surrounding a 110-acre (45 ha) recreational reservoir.
Volga River State Recreation AreaFayette CountyFayette5,500 2,200Volga River, Frog Hollow LakeProvides wildlife habitat and extensive recreation options along a waterway featuring limestone bluffs and old steel bridges.
Walnut Woods State ParkPolk CountyWest Des Moines250 100Raccoon RiverPreserves a bottomland hardwood forest within the Des Moines metropolitan area featuring the largest stand of black walnut trees in North America.[24]
Wapsipinicon State ParkJones CountyAnamosa390 1601923Wapsipinicon River, Dutch CreekFeatures rocky cave- and crevice-ridden bluffs, a nine-hole golf course, and an 1877 steel bridge that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Waubonsie State ParkFremont CountySidney1,247 505[25]1926Lake VirginiaShowcases unique Loess Hills topography, with rental facilities restored from a former Girl Scout camp.
Wildcat Den State ParkMuscatine CountyMuscatine423 171[26]Pine CreekFeatures 75-foot (23 m) cliffs, rock formations, and several historic structures, including an 1848 gristmill that is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wilson Island State Recreation AreaHarrison CountyMissouri Valley547 221Missouri RiverShowcases a bottomland hardwood forest on a former sandbar island named after former governor George A. Wilson.

County-managed state parks

The following state parks are managed by local county conservation boards:[27]

Park Name County or Counties Nearby City
Bobwhite State Park Wayne County Allerton
Cold Springs State Park Cass County Lewis
Crystal Lake State Park Hancock County Crystal Lake
Eagle Lake State Park Hancock County Britt
Echo Valley State Park Fayette County West Union
Frank A. Gotch State Park Humboldt County Dakota City
Heery Woods State Park Butler County Clarksville
Kearny State Park Palo Alto County Emmetsburg
Lake Cornelia State Park Wright County Cornelia
Lake Icaria State Park Adams County Corning
Margo Frankel State Park Polk County Saylorville
Mill Creek State Park O'Brien County Paullina
Oak Grove State Park Sioux County Hawarden
Oakland Mills State Park Henry County Oakland Mills
Pammel State Park Madison County Winterset
Sharon Bluffs State Park Appanoose County Centerville
Spring Lake State Park Greene County Grand Junction
Swan Lake State Park Carroll County Carroll
Three Mile Lake State Park Union County Creston

See also

References
  1. "Iowa State Parks & Recreation Areas [brochure]". Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. All data come from respective Iowa Department of Natural Resources webpage unless otherwise noted.
  3. "Beed's Lake State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  4. "Beed's Lake State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
  5. "Black Hawk State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  6. "Brushy Creek State Recreation Area" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  7. "Cedar Rock State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  8. "Dolliver Memorial State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  9. "Elk Rock State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  10. "Fairport State Recreation Area" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  11. "Fort Atkinson State Preserve" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  12. Tidemann, Michael (2008-07-27). "Wittenben tells Kiwanians of Fort Defiance progress". Estherville Daily News. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  13. "Green Valley State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  14. "Gull Point State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  15. Operations Manager, Rathbun Project Office. "Honey Creek Resort State Park". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Archived from the original on 2010-08-25. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  16. "Lake of Three Fires State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  17. "Ledges State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  18. "Maquoketa Caves State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
  19. "Pilot Knob State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  20. "Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  21. "Rock Creek State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  22. "Stone State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  23. "Union Grove State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  24. "Walnut Woods State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  25. "Waubonsie State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  26. "Wildcat Den State Park" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  27. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (2006). "Iowa State Parks Managed by Other Government Entities" (PDF). Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
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