There are three shelters that may be reserved online through
park reservation system. The Lower Picnic Shelter has a kitchenette.
A long sweep of shady, grassy hillside extends down to the water's edge forming a beautiful picnic area where the
Beach Point Shelter is located. The upper road also goes to the Upper Picnic Shelter and overlook with an excellent
view of the lake.
The Viking Lake campground is one of the most popular in southwest Iowa. The spacious, shady campground is located on
the lakeshore. There are 120 campsites (94 with electrical hookups, 22 full service, 9 buddy sites, and 26 non-electrical),
modern rest rooms and showers and a trailer dump station. A playground is located in the campground. Advance campsite
reservations can be made online through the
park reservation system. Half of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Hiking trails totaling six miles provide visitors an excellent look at the park's natural features. The Bur Oak Nature
Trail and its accompanying booklet provide insight on many of the important shrubs, plants and trees found at Viking
Lake. The one mile trail takes about one hour to walk. In winter, snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails.
(swimming, boating, fishing)
The 137-acre lake was constructed in 1957 and is 44 feet at its deepest point with many bays and projecting points on
its four and one-half mile shoreline. Viking Lake is well stocked with crappies, bluegills, bass, bullheads and
catfish. A sandy beach is located on the west shore with unsupervised swimming.
A concrete boat ramp is nearby and a docking area is a short distance away in a well protected cove. Rental spaces
are available on an annual reservation basis. Any size boat motors may be used on Viking Lake provided they are
operated at "no wake" speeds.
Viking Lake is one of the most popular state parks in southwest Iowa due to its accessibility and variety of
recreational opportunities. A large portion of the 1,000-acre park has been left in its natural state and has an
abundance of wild flowers, plants and wildlife. It is not uncommon to see beavers, turkeys, muskrats, ducks, shore
birds and white-tailed deer. Many of the park's hills and valleys were once campsites of Native American tribes and
artifacts were uncovered when the dam was being constructed.
Stanton is 4 miles from the park. Red Oak, the county seat, is 12 miles away. Villisca is 10 miles from the park and
has a golf course.
2780 Viking Lake Road
Stanton, IA 51573
ph. 712/829-2235
fax 712/829-2842
E-mail address: Viking_Lake@dnr.iowa.gov
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