Alerts and Closures

Bellevue State Park Campground: water is on, restrooms and shower house are open for the season. (posted 4/18/2024)

OFF-SEASON FACILITIES: Modern restrooms are open at East boat ramp, West boat ramp, Hampton Shelter, and Cadet Shelter.  Portable toilets are available at the beah area.  Other modern restrooms throughout the park will be open by May 1.  The fish cleaning station is on and open for use. Vault toilets are available for off season use at the Beach boat ramp, Disc Golf Course, and Williams Drive Boat Ramp. Docks are in the water and available for use at all boat ramps on Big Creek. Questions about seasonal closures may be directed to the park office at big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-984-6473. (Updated 4-15-24)

Neal Smith Trail Closure: A short section of the Neal Smith Trail through Big Creek State Park is currently closed due to a construction project. Trail users must detour off-trail to avoid the construction site.  The trail is expected to re-open by June 2024. Questions may be directed to the park office at 515-984-6473 or big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov. (Posted 12/1/2023)

The 2024 season is May 22-October 13. Tours are offered Wed-Sunday at the top of each hour from 10am-3pm. Reservations are recommended, walk-in guests are accepted as space allows, make a reservation by calling 319.934.3752 or emailing the park at cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.gov. 

Tours have concluded for the season at Cedar Rock. Schedule a tour of the Walter Estate Wed-Sunday May 22-October 13, 2024.

2024 Campground Availability:  Campsites 1 - 115 (except 49, 50, 66, 67 will remain closed) are accepting reservations through July 31, 2024.  Starting around August 1 the entire campground will be closed for the campground renovation. (Posted April 25, 2024)

Request to be notified when Dolliver Memorial State Park reopens: The campground and all facilities at Dolliver Memorial State Park are closed from July 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024 due to a road repaving project. If the project starts later or is completed earlier than expected, DNR can notify you that the closure will be removed for the campground, cabins, lodges and shelter. If you would like to be notified, fill out the following form, Dolliver Memorial State Park notification Google form. (Posted 9/7/2023)

The campground, modern shower facility, dump station, pit latrine and boat ramps are all open.  (Posted 4-21-24)

ATTENTION: Fort Atkinson State Preserve is closed to the public through late-summer 2024 for a reconstruction project. The annual Fort Atkinson Rendezvous will be held the last weekend in September.   For questions or concerns, please call Volga River State Recreation Area at 563-425-4161.

May 1st, all facilities in the campground are open for the season. Summer rates go into effect.

Lodge Closure: The lodge is not accepting reservations for the 2025 recreation season. (Posted March 20, 2024)

Lake Ahquabi is open.  The beach will remain closed as the lake has not reached full crest yet but is continuing to fill up.  

Due to a water leak the water is shut off to the south side of the park. There is currently no water supplying the hydrant by the beach or the restroom near shelter #5. We have pit latrines available at both boat ramps, the picnic area, and at the dam. There is an ADA accessible portable toilet located at the top of the hill by the beach. This does not affect the campground. Posted 1/18/2024

As of Friday, April 12th 2024, the modern restroom facilities are open for the season.  They will be available until October 28th 2024.  (POSTED 4/12/2024)

Lake Keomah is scheduled for a major reconstruction project.  This will improve water quality, provide better amenities for park users and increase structure for fishing.  In order for this project to begin the lake will be drained.  As a result, a drawdown will start after July 4, 2024.  Project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2026.

Created March 11, 2024

Request to be notified when Lake Keomah Facilities reopens: The facilities at Lake Keomah State Park are closed from August 1, 2024 - October 15, 2025, due to renovations. If the project starts later or is completed earlier than expected, DNR can notify you that the closure will be removed for the lodges and shelters. If you would like to be notified, fill out the following form, Lake Keomah Facilities reopens. (POSTED 09/18/2023)

Modern facilities are now available at the North Campground, including electrical pedestals, shower/restroom building, hydrants and sewer hook-ups.  Updated 4-12-24

Modern restrooms are available at the primitive Campground. Water hydrants are also available in both campgrounds. Updated 4-12-24

The North and South boat ramp docks for the 2024 season will be delayed due to boat ramp repairs. In the meantime the West boat ramp is open and the dock has been installed.

Any questions contact the office at (712)366-0220

Posted 3/18/24

Lake Manawa Water levels: Lake Manawa, located within Lake Manawa State Park, continues to experience abnormally low water levels that may impact recreation opportunities. Members of the public should be aware that due to the decreased water levels there may be an increased risk of hazards when launching vessels on public and private boat docks. Due to lowered water levels we are encouraging members of the public to exercise caution when boating near the shore on any part of the lake and especially in the southeast portion of the lake near "Tin Can Dike". In addition, the area off the north point of the lake is also shallower and boaters should exercise caution as they may not be able to get as close to the point as they could in years past. Water levels in oxbow lakes adjacent to the Missouri River, including Lake Manawa, are lower than normal due to dry conditions in western Iowa and historic low flows in the Missouri River. The current drought period in Western Iowa began in 2020. Climate conditions over the last three years are some of the driest three-year periods in the 128-year record for the region. In the past two years, annual runoff was at least 25 percent below normal levels. Local average annual precipitation is also below normal for the area, contributing to the low water conditions at Lake Manawa. Lake Manawa, like many other oxbow lakes, is characterized by a small watershed drainage area relative to the size of the lake and a localized water recharge area. Oxbow lakes form when a curve (or meander) in a river finds a shorter path, effectively isolating the old curve to form an oxbow lake in a low-lying plain near the side of the river. Water levels in these lakes are highly influenced by nearby river and groundwater levels. The DNR will continue to divert from Mosquito Creek to the lake as long as the water clarity is maintained; however, this will not have a significant impact on lake water levels. The Lake Manawa State Park Staff along with Conservation Officers, Water Patrol and our Fisheries Biologist will continue to monitor lake levels and adjust the location of buoys as necessary.

The shower house located in the campground at has been shut down and winterized for the season. Posted 10/16/2023.

The Oak Woods Shelter is currently closed to public access until further notice. No reservations are being taken for the shelter at this time, but the Carl Fritz Henning shelter remains open and available for reservation in 2024. This alert was updated on April 10, 2024.

Banquet Room Closure: Reservations for the Banquet Room will be unavailable beginning in 2023 for repairs and updates. The Banquet Room will be closed for reservations until further notice. If you would like to be notified when the Banquet Room reopens, fill out the following form: Lewis and Clark Google Form. (Updated February 13, 2024)

Boat Dock Out Due to Low Water Levels: Due to the drought conditions Western Iowa has been experiencing, the boat dock will remain out at our boat ramp until water levels rise. Once water levels have risen enough to allow the dock to be put in without damage, this alert will be removed. Park Staff are recommending that you DO NOT LAUNCH boats at this time, as the end of the pavement is just below the waters edge. Reports of boat trailers going off the edge have increased in the last week. (Updated 7/24/22) To see current drought conditions click this link.

Campground and Cabin Closure: From April 1 - June 2, 2024 the campground is not accepting reservations and from April 15 - May 27, 2024 the cabins are not accepting reservations due to a road project.  The closure will be modified or removed once the project is completed.  (Posted February 5, 2024)

Campground Closure: The campground will remain closed for 2024. Access to the lake can be gained through the North boat ramp. This ramp has a kayak launch and boat ramp, as well as the fish cleaning station has been reinstalled. Shelters available include the Stone Shelter and Youth Shelter both open for reservations. The Beach is currently open and available for use, as well as all Hiking Trails. (Updated March 1, 2024)

Construction will be on going throughout the park. Please be mindful of trucks and equipment driving through the park and working. Posted (October 31st, 2023)

The dirt trails have been CLOSED for equestrian use, the WWT (Wet Weather Trail) is OPEN. This alert will be removed when trail status has changed. (updated 4-26-2024)

All facilites at Springbrook State Park have water and are open for the 2024 rec season. The water hydrants are also open for public use.  (POSTED 04/16/2024)

TRAIL CLOSURE: Effective April 18, 2024 all multi-use trails are closed to equestrian & bike traffic due to wet conditions. This bulletin will be removed when trails are opened back up for use. (posted 4/18/24)

Boat Ramp Closure: The boat ramp at the lagoon is closed until further notice. (Posted March 11, 2024)

FACILITIES: Modern restroom and shower facilities are open at Union Grove State Park. The north side showers and restrooms are operational, one of the south side showers are open, and one is currently closed for repairs. If you have any questions regarding this closure please contact park staff: 641-473-2556 or union.grove@dnr.iowa.gov (POSTED 04/22/2024)

NON-ELECTRIIC CAMPSITES: Non electric campsites are unavailable at Union Grove State Park. They were removed in the fall of 2023. If you have any questions regarding this please contact the park office (641)-473-2556 or union_grove@dnr.iowa.gov. (03/13/2024)  

(POSTED 4/29/24) The equestrian trails are CLOSED due to wet spring weather conditions. If you have any further questions please call the office (563) 425-4161.

Walnut Woods restrooms and dump station are open for the 2024 recreation season. Water has been turned on.

All facitilies are open.  (Posted 4-21-24)

TRAIL CLOSURE:  The Cave Trail, from the Lower Picnic Area to the crossing at State Park Rd., will be closed until Park Staff are able to make necessary trail repairs.  If you have any questions please contact the Park Office at 563-263-4337.  All other Trails are open for use at this time. (Posted 2/5/2024)