The beach area is undergoing a renovation with building of a new shelter and adding a playground. Construction is
anticipated to be completed sometime during the recreation season. The beach area will remain open during this time and should not be affected
other than where the new shelter is being placed. (updated 6/22/09)
Geode State Park is one of the most scenic and popular picnicking spots in southeast Iowa. Several
open picnic shelters are available for group use.
These may be reserved online through the
park reservation system. A picnic site accessible to the mobility impaired
is available.
There are 168 campsites with enough variety to suit anyone's tastes (87 sites have electricity). There are two modern
shower buildings and a sewage dump station in the campground. Advance campsite reservations can be booked through the
park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for
self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis. Two camp pads and rest rooms are accessible to the mobility-impaired.
Several hiking trails challenge the outdoor lover at Geode. The main trail starts at the north end of the lake and
follows it all the way to the dam. This trail is accessible from several picnic areas along the lake. Another trail
begins at the dam on the west side of the lake and ends at picnic shelter number one. A trip around the lake is
possible on these trails.
The Southeast Iowa Bike Route is a 46 mile route that connects
Lacey Keosauqua State Park and Geode State Parks. This route winds
through southern Iowa woodlands, pastures and lush cornfields with lots of rolling hills and some flat terrain.
(boating, fishing)
The prime attraction of the 1,640-acre park is Lake Geode, a 187-acre lake built in 1950. Over the years, the lake has
become well known for excellent fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, red-eared
sunfish.
"Hey! Come on, we're going out to Geode!" This is repeated time after time in southeast Iowa as families
and friends pack picnic baskets and swimsuits and head for a fun day in the sun at one of southeast Iowa's most
popular state parks.
The geode stone for which this park is named brings "rock hounds" to the area in search of this elusive
prize. A display of geodes, with mysterious crystal formations in their hollow cavities, can be seen at the park office.
Please remember that it is illegal to remove geodes and other natural materials from state parks, except for mushrooms,
nuts, fruits and berries.
Burlington is 15 miles east on Hwys. 79 and 34. New London is about six miles north of the park. Just east of New
London on U.S. 34, a county road turns south and leads to the main entrance. The park may be reached from Middletown
on Iowa Highway 79 or from Lowell on County Road J-20. Denmark and Danville are also close to the park as well as Mount
Pleasant.
3333 Racine Ave.
Danville, IA 52623
319/392-4601
E-mail address: Geode@dnr.iowa.gov
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