4.5Lake Red Rock(62 reviews) - Beautiful and peaceful setting Bodies of Water • Parks
Iowa’s largest lake is a beautiful setting for bird watching, sailing, and bike-riding. I’ve visited a few times with family to enjoy the views and outdoors. Wonderful sunset views as well!See more..
4.5Mosquito Park(61 reviews) - Spectacular view of Ol Muddy Spent < 1 hour Bodies of Water • Parks
Have lived in Burlington for 30 years and still get excited going to this outstanding overlook park. Impressive, neat and tidy with up and down river views of the mighty Mississippi. A must place to take visitors friends and family.See more..
4.0Cedar River(49 reviews) - Gorgeous, relaxing nature area Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Bodies of Water
The Cedar River in Cedar Rapids Iowa is a beautiful place to relax! It is wonderful to see the river within its banks (anyone who witnessed the floods of 2008 will relate). As far as accessibility options, check out the area you wish to visit. Downtown has some areas where wheelchairs, walkers, canes are do-able.See more..
4.5Saylorville lake(47 reviews) - Very nice lake Bodies of Water
Beautiful lake with boating and beaches. There are pullouts on the road across the dam to stop and take pictures. Went to the Visitor Center, but sadly it was closed due to COVID. However, there is a scenic overlook that was still open. Lots of birds. There were hiking trails, but I had no bug spray so I did not venture into the woods.See more..
4.5Spirit Lake(40 reviews) - Spirit Lake, Iowa's best-kept vacation secret Bodies of Water
Try the north side of the physical Spirit Lake. Talk about a relaxing experience. Beautiful water, friendly people, all the conveniences. Even if you can’t afford, or don’t know somebody with a house in one of the lakeshore communities, you can still experience the getting-away-from-it-all feeling of the Spirit Lake area at Mini-Wakan State Park or for camping, try Loon Lake Campground, just a few miles north over the Iowa/Minnesota border. Spirit Lake may be one of the best-kept secrets in Iowa travel. It has all the amenities of its more-famous neighbor Okoboji, but Spirit Lake township has preserved the beauty, and ambiance of rural living around Iowa's largest lake. You can ride your bicycle all around Spirit Lake, thanks to the wonderful new bike trails the town built, and there is even a winery, Little Swan Lake Winery, about 15 minutes away. Tons of stuff to do, nice little shops too!See more..
4.0Miller Riverview Park and Campground(19 reviews) - Great campground Friday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Parks • Playgrounds
Located on the shore of the scenic Mississippi River and adjacent to the Mystique Casino, providing a great view of the Mississippi River. The park is 20 acres in size and includes 97 full electric camp sites, a water and dump station, handicap accessible restrooms and showers, picnic tables and fire pit grills, a playground and pavilions available for rent. Leashed pets are allowed, great fishing location, bike, walk and rollerblade along a 0.95 mile recreational trail.See more..
Just go and relax....walk, fish, take a lunch or grill out, rent a pontoon and really enjoy the lake..See more..
4.0Diamond Lake Park(9 reviews) - Beautiful place to camp Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Parks
We love to camp at Diamond Lake, especially by the water. The fishing is always good and we are able to Kayak a lot. There is no beach at this lake but there is a nice playground for the kids. The hike around the lake is nice and you can ride bikes on the road. Behind the fish cleaning station there are horses in the pasture so we go often to see if they are near the fence. The employees are always around and wave each time they see you. They clean up any trash in the grass when they come empty the garbage. They really work hard to keep the park clean.See more..
4.0Lake Keomah State Park(9 reviews) - Rude ranger State Parks • Bodies of Water I like this state park. Used to live on the lake. Had a nice picnic there recently despite a very unhelpful, rude park ranger.See more..
Had never been here and took out of town family for a day! It was so Much fun! We arrived at 10 and was not too busy, by the time we left at 2 there were a lot of people out. We found close parking on Franklin St by Riverbend Pub and Grill. They have life vests provided by the city to use, we did not. We used tubes we had, but the pharmacy on Franklin has tubes for purchase. This is a very fun free activity for family for a day on the river!See more..
4.5Lake Wapello State Park(8 reviews) - Great Beach, very Nice Cabins, Very Nice Campground Spent 1-2 hours State Parks • Bodies of Water • Hiking Trails
I have been camping at or renting cabins at state parks for the last 40 years. Wapello is my favorite. It has a beautiful well kept beach that is large and never seems crowded. The shower house is always clean and most summers there is a concessionaire that operates a small restaraunt and rents paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. The shower house at the camground is well above average. The cabins have a restroom with shower, air conditioner, stove, and refrigerator. Whereas one often catches small bluegill at state park lakes, Wapeloo is a catch and release bass fishery. Catching bass, even off of a jetty, is quite common. It is a short distance to Drakesville for a convenience store, 15-20 minutes to Bloomfield, and about 30 minutes to Ottumwa. In Bloomfield one can obtain, at the visitor's center, a map of Amish retail bakeries and stores in the surrounding area.See more..
Went to check out their equestrian facilities. Looked really good, and am planning a return trip with the horses asap. 6.5+ miles of trails around the lake. Only downside, horse camping section is the closest to the highway --- it is fenced off but still have the noise. Some sites have pens, and all have highline, picnic benches & fire rings. Might be a trek to the water source depending on the site.See more..
5.0Frank A. Gotch park(5 reviews) - Beautiful area Spent < 1 hour Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests
It's a spacious camp ground that includes a small cabin and modern bathrooms. A hiking trail is nearby as well a river good for fishing.See more..
4.5Little River Lake Recreation Area(5 reviews) - Great experience Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
If you can live without Wi-Fi, television, and indoor plumbing than this is the perfect place for you. Cabin #2 has two bunk beds, hide-a-bed, a microwave, and small refrigerator. A clean porta-potty was a short walk away. A very clean bathhouse is up the hill. It was very calm and quiet at the campsite and fishing was great. Can hardly wait to return.See more..
4.5Viking Lake State Park(4 reviews) - Beautiful place Spent 2-3 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks This park is very pretty and very clean. You call tent camp all the way to full service. Park rangers are great.See more..
4.0Cordova Park(4 reviews) - Well maintained Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Parks • Hiking Trails
The trails are very well maintained and travel along the lake and back through the woods. Perfect for an afternoon outside!See more..
We spent the day at Dolliver State Park but wanted to check this out. We didn't spend a lot of time here but it looks like they have been making some great improvements! The facilities are all really nice. The area seems to have been getting a lot of flooding recently so some trails were closed and the beach seemed to need some work. Lots and lots of people out fishing. The water was very clear and you could see the fish! We tried to hike the Preserve Trail but it was closed due to the rain. We ended up on the Lake Trail. Very pretty and the trails were well maintained. Perfect area if you have horses. Can't wait to bring our bikes back!See more..
4.5Geode State Park(3 reviews) - Great park State Parks • Bodies of Water
Went there camping for 3 days (midweek). A lovely campground! We had a reserved site with electric, but there were MANY walk-in sites, and many nice tent sites. Very nice shower/bathrooms.. Well kept park. Beautiful lake. Great trails. We biked, hiked, and kayaked. Will definitely go again.See more..
3.5Brown's lake/Bigelow park(3 reviews) - Love camping here Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Best place to camp! It has a dock,nice park, basketball hoop, sand volleyball, a beach and so much more for everyone to do.See more..
4.0Oak Grove state park(3 reviews) - Excellent county park Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails This is a beautiful little park in the country--lots of rev's and camping sites and yet enough if you just want a picnic table. Places to hike and walk--well maintained--See more..
4.5Lilly Lake(3 reviews) - Great walk around lake! Bodies of Water
Beautiful spot and history lesson, too. Signs inform along the route. Free parking and nice spot for walk or job.See more..
4.5Black Hawk State Park(3 reviews) - Nice Getaway Spent 2-3 hours State Parks • Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Black Hawk Lake is a good place to visit and get away from our crazy lives. The State Park campground is setup well and well maintained. Book early to get a site on the water. If you enjoy water sports and or fishing you definitely can't go wrong.See more..
4.5Copper Creek Lake(3 reviews) - A gem lake and trail in the middle of the buzzing city Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water
We passed through University Avenue all the time when we go to Des Moines, Iowa. My husband and I are fond of discovering small attractions that you barely find in any major travel website. Just like you and I we are nature lovers and loves to walk as our mean of exercise. Beside this lake are restaurants (not sure if they are delicious but we saw a few), a small strip mall and across is a theater which we love because of the amenities and parking. We saw the blue waters and thought its a private lake..we where wrong. It is beautiful, serene and a 1.5 mile walk around it. It is a gem small lake. I love the ducks too!See more..
4.5Bloody Run creek(3 reviews) - Trout fishing Spent 2-3 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests Excellent trout fishing is caught on the right day. It can be very crowded if they’ve just stocked the trout.See more..
5.0West Lake(3 reviews) - Great place to fish and to relax! Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water
Another trip back to West Lake located in central Iowa just off Highway 35. Two boat launches plus 2 docks to fish from as well. Restrooms located on premises with lots of trailer parking as well. Conveniently located next to Lakeside Hotel and Casino, and Pilot Travel Center for your fuel and snacks as well.See more..
We were enjoying the beautiful view of the Mississippi when we came upon this unique artistic piece. Titled, "Living Flowing Water, Ever Changing" it captures the idea of the steamboats that once traveled the mighty river.See more..
4.5Palisades-Dows Preserve and Observatory(3 reviews) - Excellent Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests Real nice and well taken care of! Very nice lace for our graduation party! Nice location! Close to town!See more..
4.0Elinor Bedell State Park(3 reviews) - Perfect place for a few days! Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Biking Trails • Nature & Wildlife Areas
We camped with 2 other couples and were able to get sites side by side. They are long pull thru sites. The electric and water are near the back end of the site. Be sure to have enough cord, if you want to park in the center of the pull thru. There are only 7 sites, so book early. It offers biking and walking trails. We stayed in a 31 foot Class C towing a car.See more..
3.0Twin Lakes State Park(2 reviews) - nothing special State Parks • Bodies of Water We went to Twin Lakes State Park in late April. There is a paved trail that goes around the lake that we took our dogs on. The lake is very developed with a lot of homes close together. The park is not very big. They have another section of the park on the east side of the lake but it is just a place to have lunch. Bring bikes and a boat of some sort for entertainment. We had neither and were done exploring the area after 30 minutes. ( the south lake which is a wildlife area had several birds but nowhere to sit and lookout)See more..
4.5Trappers Bay State Park(2 reviews) - Sassh! People Fishing Spent < 1 hour State Parks • Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
A lovely Saturday evening, a light breeze blowing, the sun setting and a few boats were humming on the lake... a perfect setting for a walk! We watched a group of migrating pelicans splashing in the water. Further on, a muskrat dove in for cover. But we were quiet, for quite a few people were fishing from the shoreline. We walked on the roadway, I didn’t notice any pathways. Traffic was light.See more..
5.0Twelve Mile lake park(2 reviews) - Great place Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests Wish this were here when I was in high school. They offer fishing, cabins for rent, boating and all on a huge and beautiful lake.See more..
5.0Lake Hendricks(2 reviews) - Camping biking fishing swinming Bodies of Water
The upper campground is nice and shaded with lots of vegetation. The playground is in the center so it is great to keep an eye on your children. The beach is a nice spot to take the littles swimming as well. Great paved bike path to take you into town or farther out into the country. See more..
4.0Chain-O-Lakes wildlife area(2 reviews) - Nice nature and wildlife area Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests A nice nature and wildlife area. In mostly it's natural state, it's clean and a nice serene area to relax and take in the nature. It is a bit of a drive off the highway, but it's needed to get into the nature.See more..
5.0Three Mile Lake(2 reviews) - Great for the family Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water Wish this were here when I was in high school. They offer fishing, cabins for rent, boating and all on a huge and beautiful lake.See more..
4.0Okamanpedan State Park(1 review) - History and views at their best Spent < 1 hour State Parks • Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas Who knew? There is a historical marker out here in the middle of Emmet county in Iowa that says that this area was surveyed by General Fremont and later by General Sherman in 1838! I love it when history and nature collide in a state park in which I am hiking at. This place offers 19 acres to enjoy. It has a lodge for rental and best of all, a cabin right on the lake. The lake itself is 981 acres of natural origin. Unfortunately, because of its remoteness, I doubt that anyone else knows of the significance of this park and its place in history. Beautiful butterflies and deer were everywhere. Keep in mind, if you do venture this far north, watch for the signs outside of Dolliver and then the minimum county roads it is off of. I had a heck of a time in locating this park! Well-worth it once I got there, though.In my opinion.See more..
4.0Buena Vista Public use area(1 review) - Watch out for flooding here Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails Having never before been here, I wanted too see for myself what this place had to offer. What I saw was maddening; flooding was rampant here. I was able to park my vehicle and get out and walk here and there. This place affords awesome views of the Wapsipinicon river and the woods but it borders the river so close that at times like these and the storm after storm Iowa had been experiencing lately I can see why it floods here. This public use area offers: over 165 acres of wooded area;primitive camping is permitted;fishing and boating are permitted here. There are two ponds and the nearby river available. Parking is okay although spotty at times. River flooding was everywhere that day. I did not want to venture to far into flooded areas out of fear for my own safety, so I walked/hiked in areas that I could see. Thus, nature won this day but I vow to return, in winter if need be to complete my task. In my opinion, this place deserves another look.See more..
4.0Thayer Lake park(1 review) - surprising to find this Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests I was on my way to another park to hike when I stumbled upon this nice little park out in the middle of the country. It sits right across from its namesake off state highway 34 to the south. You follow the signs into the pond area first. It has several choice spots to literally pull right up next to the lake, park, eat at picnic tables or build a fire in one of the many fire pits or simply do nothing. You may fish there as well. Across from the pond area is the actual lake; all eleven acres of it. This place is bigger with a nice little campground with only seven sights available but all have electricity. This place also has pit toilets and a small parking area. It also affords two shelters for rent also with grills and or fire rings. Great views of the lake. Hilly, uneven grounds and a small but nice timber everywhere. Just a few trails but these lead to other areas within the park itself. They all connect to each other. Camping cost at the time of my visit was only ten bucks a night. You may hunt here in certain areas. Mainly for small game. The town of Thayer is nearby(down the road and across the highway) if provisions or ice is needed. Nice people in this part of the state. In my opinion, this place was surprising to find but glad I did. The whole park is only 47 acres but good things come in small packages as I am finding out.See more..
3.0Lake Meyer Park(1 review) - OK place to camp Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Parks Campground has 23 sites, they have shade, but are fairly close together. $15 with electric is the fee, with pretty much matches what you get. Restroom and shower buildings are older. Park looks a bit neglected. Roads are gravel and VERY steep and dusty. Lake is beautiful, there are two access points. Lots of people fishing. Distance from campground to lake requires you to go on steep gravel roads, definitely not a place to bike ride.See more..
4.0Allens Grove Park(1 review) - Nice day hike Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests Flooding area #2! I just can't win this day. This place, although down the road from Buena Vista public area, has some uneven terrain and I thought it would be better for me but I have struck out again. Parts of this park were flooding as well so I had to cut short my visit here. This park has over 150 acres to share. Camping is permitted as well as fishing and boating. There is a boat ramp provided nearby. But, this park is again right next to the river and is subject to flooding. Parts of the roads leading to it were under water, barring me access to it, so I could only park my 4x4 in certain areas and hoof it. Not that I mind doing that, after all, that is what life is all about, right? Experiencing it. Another caveat about all this flooding is the mosquitoes. Now, my mother made me wear repellent since I was a child so I knew better from the start. I now wear and swear by ANY repellent with DEET in it. Despite all my precautions, and spraying DEET everywhere on me, I STILL got ate up here. No idea why. I have only gotten bit twice this year and this was the second time. Both times wearing DEET. This place is loaded with nice spots to camp and fish right next to the river. Parking is available and you can simply walk to your spot. I will return to this spot once again, after the flooding to see for myself the areas I could not access. Bit despite the flooding, this place is a nice day hike, in my opinion.See more..
4.0Kounty Pond / Hoffman Woods(1 review) - A jewel in the prairie! Spent 2-3 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas This was the place my friend took me to after our lunch at the Lime Creek county park, earlier in the day. This place can be seen from the interstate, I-380. You take the Brandon exit and head east. Just follow the signs. You drive by a microwave tower on a gravel road and its just beyond the slight hill. As you enter the rather large parking area you will see a 12 acre lake in front of you. This place offers over 100 acres of outdoor fun: fishing/swimming(at your own risk)/hunting(in marked areas). This place also offers a restored prairie and woodland area as well as a wetland area. The only people we saw out there today was us. Seclusion is here too, albeit the interstate is right next door. We talked and put a foot or two into very cold water today but you know what, I am told that in the summer, THIS place is very popular on the weekends but not so much during the week days. Hmm, I will have to remember that this year.... In my opinion, this place is a jewel in the prairie!See more..
5.0Lake Corneila county park(1 review) - very relaxing Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Beaches • Forests
This is a great park, great outdoor equipment for kids. lots of trees, they spray well for misquitos, a small, but clean beach. Bathrooms are decent. There is a great walking path all around the lake. Several picnic tables and open areas for families to spread out. See more..
4.0Palisades Natural Area(1 review) - Nice break on a hot day Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests This place offers 89 acres of pristine primitive camping, many right along the Cedar River. You may picnic here but please pack up what you bring in! My pet-peeve. There is fishing available as is a boat ramp nearby. Pit toilets are offered as well. Hunting is allowed during the various seasons. It offers just a few trails but none of them are marked or maintained. You will be walking mainly on deer paths so wear reflective colors so the hunters don't mistake you for wildlife. This is a nice break on a hot day to just get away, read a book(if many of you still do that kind of thing) or if you can get a signal, check your emails or text or does anyone still actually talk to people?This is also a great place to hang out with friends or whomever as this is like many secluded natural areas I have discovered in Iowa: beautiful, quiet and peaceful. In my opinion. Parking is available but be careful-this place is prone to flooding! So the entrance may be washed-out or have ruts in them as I encountered on this day.See more..
