The park lived up to its billing as a fall color must do in NE Iowa! Even though we visited on a Thursday there were a lot of visitors. It was a beautiful fall day and we took advantage of a well placed table on the bluff to enjoy lunch prior to a hike. We took a couple of back loops off the parking lot to work our way to the main attractions; the Bridal Falls Overlook and the Crows Nest Overlook. The hiking was moderate with some elevation. Fall colors were prime and we thoroughly enjoyed the exercise, fall color and the views. After a few requisite pictures we were off to our next adventure, the Effigy Mounds National Monument. See more..
Cedar Rock State Park is the home to the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Lowell and Agnes Walter Estate. The property is a complete and beautiful example of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian design meaning that Wright is as much the interior designer as he was the architect. Those that tour the home experience it almost as if the homeowners stepped out in 1950. The estate is comprised of four Wright designed structures which include the house, council fire, river pavilion, and formal entrance gate. Seasonal guided tours of the property depart the visitor center hourly from 10:00 am-3:00 pm Thursday to Sunday's from late May to mid-October.See more..
4.5Backbone State Park(93 reviews) - Nice Trails and Fall Foliage State Parks
Driving in from the West Gate Entrance, park and hike East Lake Trail, then connect with Bluebird Trail and return to auto. This is about 4.6 miles. East Lake Trail hugs the lake and is a bit steep and rocky in places. Bluebird Trail is wide, grassy and nicely mown. Picnic at South Flats or North Flats picnic areas, then take a drive to Stone Arch Bridge, the cave and Richmond Springs. This is a quieter area than the East Gate Entrance where the beach and playground are. See more..
4.0Lake Macbride State Park(82 reviews) - Sunday morning hike around the beautiful lake 08/16 State Parks
My wife and I were visiting our out-doorsy hiking type son who lives in North Liberty last week, and he brought us here to hike around the beautiful lake. Unfortunately, there were many large trees and branches across the trails from the recent storms in the area. These were not too difficult to negotiate, and we made about 3.5 miles round trip around the lake. Two pictures of the lake from different spots along the lake perimeter trail are attached.See more..
4.5Stone State Park(71 reviews) - Beautiful woods and great hiking State Parks
On a warm day, this is a great park to hike or relax among the beautiful woods here. Incredibly tall trees everywhere and lush plants along the trails make for peaceful hiking. Bring bug spray and water to ensure a good time!See more..
4.5Bellevue State Park(63 reviews) - Bellevue State Park, Nelson Unit State Parks • Parks
The Bellevue state park, Nelson unit, was an awesome experience. Good trails and amazing views. The Butterfly Garden was amazing. The paved path from the parking lot to the garden is handicapped accessible. The garden area maybe hard to navigate but you will still get good views. Along the path are tons of wildflowers. Upon arrival at the garden area is a picnic pavilion. The garden has a frog pond and many different types of flowers. They are in the process of rebuilding after Covid, but it worth the stop. It was so peaceful and relaxing.See more..
This may be each year on the third Saturday of February, I’m not sure. We heard about it last year as it was on the today show and wanted to go and fly a kite on the ice there were literally hundreds of colorful kites being flown see the pictures attached. We took beanbag style water toys that made nice chairs that were insulated to sit on the ice with. It was a nice day because the temperature had come up from the previous day by about 25°. We parked at the high school and took the shuttle to the kite flying area (on frozen Clear Lake). The downtown area was doing it’s best to handle the crowds but the lines were long wherever we went for food you might want to consider taking food with you if you went to this event next year! We ended up spending about three hours flying the kite and watching the other kites and had a great time!See more..
We loved Palisades-Kepler State Park. We stopped for a hike on the Cliffside Trail. We found parking close to trail. The trail was very pretty. The only negative part was we could not find a restroom. Since we were not camping, we did not know if we could use the campers’ facilities.See more..
4.5Lewis and Clark State Park(42 reviews) - Incredibly nice staffer went the extra mile for me State Parks • Parks
I arrived at the visitor center and found it closed, forgetting it was a federal holiday. As I turned away, a staffer ran to the door and opened it up. We talked for a moment and when she found out I only had that day to see the area, she invited me in to see the exhibits and the boats “downstairs.” It is a wonderful little museum, I learned new things, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. When I was leaving, she even gave me “a special stamp” for my National Park Passport Book. She is exceptional. Oh, I also saw my first two Trumpeter Swans (yay!) gliding down the River, making it an even greater experience.See more..
This is by far the best state park in Iowa! Located just across the Des Moines River from Keosauqua the park is lovely and open for business all 4 seasons. Lake Lacey located inside the park has a free beach for swimming. 4 mile long Lake Sugema is just outside the park and has great fishing and boating. Try Lazy Bee Log Cabin Rental which adjoins the park at the south entry and is walking distance to the main boat ramp of lake Sugema. It sits alone on 40 acres and has a full kitchen and bath. The park has miles and miles of hiking trails. The hunting is excellent in the area and wildlife abounds. Come prepared to step back in time to an easier and more relaxing pace. There isn't one stop light or franchise in the entire county----Enjoy !See more..
Beautiful park! However, don’t plan on swimming here. The water is very green and the bottom is very silty/full of algae. I grew up swimming in plenty of northwoods lakes and wouldn’t consider myself squeamish but this lake gets a “nope” from me. Fun spot to take the grill and the family, do some fishing from one of the many docks, and walk the dog along the trails. Be sure to take the trail down to the bottom of the dam! It’s the prettiest spot in the park.See more..
This is a great little state park. We stayed three nights in tent area in October The staff was very friendly. Nice lake. We hiked all the 7 miles of trails and they were very nice. I was pleasantly surprised how pretty western Iowa is with its rolling hills, farm fields, woods and prairies Did see a lot of wildlifeSee more..
4.0Lake Manawa State Park(21 reviews) - Beautiful and peaceful. Spent 2-3 hours State Parks
Always a beautiful, peaceful place to visit. There are birds and waterfowl here all year round. Lots of eagles in the wintertime. Love to watch them sit on the ice waiting for fish. Pelicans migrate thru here in the spring and fall. Always lots of geese and different kinds of ducks. Seeing deer along the roadway is common. We drive around the lake every couple of weeks to see the wildlife and enjoy nature. We don't fish, boat, swim, camp or picnic but if you do this is a great place for it. See more..
Campground with a lake view. Campground has tight/narrow roads which made it difficult getting into our site. No staff or station was available upon check-in. Small town grocery store and gas station nearby, within 5 miles. Campground about 10 mins from freeway. DirecTV (free standing satellite) had no issue. Verizon phone was able to get 4g signal. Boat ramp and fishing available within the park. Many of the campsites are covered by full tree that produce shade. Our site had full service at a good price.See more..
Late summer day was perfect for hiking in this beautiful park. The Lake Trail, Fire Trail, and others featured the lake and the spring fed stream. This park is well cared for and a treasure in the Iowa system. Kudos to the staff for all their work. Hike here and enjoy!See more..
Never new of this park until driving by it after visiting Anamosa. It’s a scenic park, lots of trees, has a couple of caves to explore and a cool old wooden bridge. Also has a campground and other fun things. Defiantly worth the trip.See more..
4.5Pine Lake State Park(17 reviews) - Quiet, quaint state park cabin State Parks
I stayed at a cabin at Pine Lake State Park with my husband and 3 young children (ages 5, 4, and 2 1/2). We rented Cabin #1 for 2 nights over a weekend. The cabin was perfect for us. We had one small bedroom with a full-size bed and the living room had two futons that slept our 3 small children comfortably. The cabin itself had a rustic feel (they were built in the 1930s I believe) but was updated in the mid-1990s. The kitchen worked well for us. It was equipped with basic kitchen necessities along with the fridge, oven, and microwave. The bathroom was clean and met our needs (sink, toilet, shower, and room for storage). The living room was large and had a 4-person table where we could play games at night. There was room out front for husband to pitch a tent for him and the kids to sleep in one night. The park itself was very quiet. There was paved trails along with unpaved trails that went up the hill behind the cabins. It would be great for biking and running. You can walk half a mile and you are into the town of Eldora. There is a small playground within walking distance from the cabins as well as a small beach with shelter. Our kids loved playing in the sand, but it was not warm enough to swim. There are geese and other birds everywhere. Fishing would be great along the river or lake. One thing to note if you are staying in the cabins: You cannot drive to your cabin. You must cart all your belongings in a wagon from the parking lot. This was a bit tedious with 3 small children in tow, but not a huge deal.See more..
Nine Eagles State Park is delightful. We were traveling from Kansas City and found it quite by accident. We enjoyed the views of the lake and the hiking trail nearby. Sue wish we had planned the day better and had more time to explore.See more..
This is a beautiful and peaceful place for a relaxing get-away. I had never seen a yurt and this one was amazing—down to the polished wooden flooring. The swimming beach is a lovely trail walk away and the swims were quite refreshing. We also kayaked around part of the perimeter. The town of Clear Lake is far enough away but not too far for a quick trip for ice or other things. I definitely want to come here again!See more..
The trails were beautiful and not too hard. We are 74 with three Shiitz Tzu's and we did every single trail, even the one marked "difficult". The camp host was very welcoming and greeted us upon arrival and saw us off with wishes for a safe return trip. She was always cheerful and helpful. It is a small campground which suits us as those campgrounds are always more homey and not so commercialized. We definitely hope to return for another week next year.See more..
4.5Preparation Canyon State Park(12 reviews) - Beautiful Hiking Area with Many Hills Spent More than 3 hours State Parks • Hiking Trails
Four of us had a fantastic hike through Preparation Canyon State Park! There are many excellent trails through thick forest areas and many inclines and declines. Some trails were a challenge due to the previous rain making trails muddy and the hilly trails slippery. A walking stick was helpful for sure. We wrapped up our hike with a picnic at one of the park’s picnic tables. Carrying a set of binoculars would be helpful. Water, hat, great attitude... bring them! This was a great break from the COVID-19 “pandemic” and the recent rioting in Omaha. We would highly recommend this park for a mental reset with nature.See more..
4.5Lake Darling State Park(12 reviews) - So peaceful Spent 2-3 hours State Parks • Beaches • Hiking Trails
Lake Darling is a beautiful park to walk on a paved path. It’s great if one uses a wheelchair. We love to go and sit near the water and watch the sunsets and the geese fly in. There are quite a few tables close to the water to eat at. See more..
4.5Fort Defiance State Park(12 reviews) - Great place to discover nature with a beautiful walk. State Parks • Parks This is a beautiful park that is underutilized. The walking trails are paved with crushed rock so you're not walking on grass. The trails are well maintained in the summer. These trails wind through the woods with very little incline. What a great place for a peaceful walk among nature. I have never tried the trails that go deep into the ravines, but they look interesting. The lodge is a rental for parties, etc and looks very welcoming from the outside. There are many deer and other species of animals along with a wide variety of birds found throughout the park.See more..
The state park was a perfect spot to catch a morning sunrise over lake Okoboji. They require a two night minimum for any weekend day stays. 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..
4.5Echo Valley State Park(9 reviews) - lake Spent 2-3 hours State Parks very nice little park , I believe it is otter creek that runs through the park , it has two levels to get to the upper level you have to drive through the creek which takes you to the shelter built by the civilian conservation core in 1936 , it is a really neat shelter , the history board said they also built a lake but we could not find where the dam might have been , there was quite a few camp sites , the park is close to town if you need supplies.See more..
4.0Honey Creek State Park(9 reviews) - No crowds! Spent 1-2 hours State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
Nice smooth water. Not many other boats or crafts in sight. Dock workers at Honey Creek Lodge not the most knowledgeable but okay and polite.See more..
4.0Swan Lake state park(8 reviews) - Autumn walk around Swan Lake Spent 2-3 hours State Parks
My husband and I were visiting family in the area. I grew up here, but had not been to Swan Lake for years. What wonderful improvements the State has made. We walked all the way around the Lake -- the walking path is easy to manage and I can see why there were a few bikers on the trail that day, too.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..
Rock Creek State Park is a scenic park located just 7 miles west of Grinnell, and is one of central Iowa's camping hotspots. The large campground bordering the lake has 200 campsites. Hiking, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snowmobiling are enjoyed on a system of multi-use trails around the park. The beach provides an ideal spot to sunbathe and swim.See more..
4.5Mini-Wakan State Park(6 reviews) - Beautiful lodge Spent < 1 hour State Parks We hosted a family event there a few years back and the venue was outstanding. Views from the shelter house are exceptional, and the kitchen area is very useful. It was cool and quiet in the summer with a nice breeze. Everyone raved about the location.See more..
this river is near by my college, UIU, which is in a very small town called Fayette. only around 1000 resident include students. professors and local people. the lake is about 5 mins drive from Fayette, it is very beautiful and clean, not much peple come visit, only locals. if you like to fishing, this is a good place. camping is also very good. you can see the stars allover on the sky at night. 這個河離我的大學只有約五分鐘車程, 很美麗,寧靜, 來的人幾乎都是附近住戶,很適合釣魚 露營, 休閒看風景, 晚上來可以看到滿天星星, 晚上開車來時要小心動物不要撞到了, 開慢一點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..
5.0Cold Springs State Park(4 reviews) - Restful Place State Parks • Parks Loved stopping here in mid-afternoon to enjoy the peacefulness. In summer we took VBS kids fishing here. It is a good picnic area. There is a campground, summer season only, on the bluff above. Small and quiet. See more..
2.5Rice Lake State Park(3 reviews) - Minnesota Nice.....but Iowa Much Nicer Spent < 1 hour State Parks There's a Rice Lake State Park in Minnesota also, about 50 miles north of here. These two parks could hardly be different. The Minnesota park is not much more than a piece of land, mowed every few months (or less) and situated near a swampy body of muddy water and cattails, 10 miles to the nearest town of any size. The place was deserted, except for a couple of DNR guys, who eyed me suspiciously as if daring me to get out of the car, The Iowa park is well-groomed and the lake glittered in the sunlight. Lots of people out and about, picnicking, playing catch with the kids, or taking walks, and just about everyone waved when I passed by. The small but bustling town of Lake Mills was clearly visible on the opposite shore.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..
4.5Geode 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..
4.5Eagle Lake state park(3 reviews) - Love the nature! Spent 1-2 hours State Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
We love to go out, sit and watch the ducks, geese and other birds. There is also a lot of deer that are there to watch.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..
This is one of my favorite spots in Iowa as it is wild and beautiful. It's hard to find, hard to navigate, hard to walk, and once you're in you probably won't have any cell service so be prepared. There are no amenities aside from a shelter that still has a picnic table. There's kind of a trail that will start you into the woods but it quickly fades into nothing. If you want to enjoy the water in the little canyon it's best to go after a heavy rain or snowmelt.See more..
Great quite spot on the Mississippi River. Great history for any ons. Site of the first school house in Iowa.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..
5.0Elk Rock State Park(2 reviews) - Great little get-away with horses! State Parks
We love Elk Rock State Park. The horse back riding trails are well maintained. Has a small outdoor arena and a small obstacle course. Camping sites, horse tie offs. Does not have full stalls. No charge to pull in for the day and ride, has parking for trailers not at a campsite for those just riding for an afternoon. See more..
