Experience Iowa's Natural Beauty
Experience Iowa's natural beauty and all the fun our state parks offer. With activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, there's something for everyone!
Explore Iowa's State Parks
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Visit a State Park, Forest, or Recreation Area
Plan your next outdoor adventure in one of Iowa's beautiful state parks, forests, recreation areas, or preserves.
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Make a Reservation
Get your cabin, lodge or park space reserved at an Iowa state park and review options, guidelines, and more.
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View Park Rules & Guidelines
Keep our parks healthy, clean, and safe by following our rules and guidelines during your visit.
Park Resources
Iowa State Parks Passport
Visit. Check In. Earn Prizes.
Sign up and download the Iowa State Parks Passport on your mobile device to earn points toward prizes and giveaway opportunities while discovering Iowa's hidden gems.
Hiking & Trails
Explore State Park Trails
Our web-based application helps you identify and map trails maintained in our state parks. Get exploring today!
Know Before You Go
Beach Information
For current beach advisories please visit the beach monitoring dashboard or call the monitoring hotline at 515-725-3434.
The dashboard and hotline are updated on Fridays during the monitoring season.
Explore Iowa’s Accessible Outdoors
Iowa’s state parks and forests offer a variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors, including adaptive equipment, accessible fishing piers, hiking trails, picnic shelters, and campsites.
We’re always working to expand and improve accessibility across our parks. The opportunities highlighted are just some of what’s available, and more features will be added over time. Take a moment to explore the many accessible outdoor experiences available throughout Iowa.
Swimming Registration at State Parks
People wishing to swim outside the designated swimming beach areas at Iowa state parks, for example to train for a triathlon, must obtain special permission by completing a registration form and communicating with local park staff.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
In fall 2001, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources launched an oral history project to document the Civilian Conservation Corps’ contributions in Iowa during the 1930s and 1940s. Since then, over 125 of several hundred identified surviving members have been interviewed.
Civilian Conservation Corps Oral History Project, Interviews
Keep Informed with Email Updates
Sign up for State Park News
Stay informed with the latest news by signing up for news releases or adjusting your subscriber preferences whenever you like.
Park Help
Questions? We Can Help.
You have questions, we have answers. E-mail our State Park team, or visit our reservations page and rules and guidelines page for more.