Alerts and Closures

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State Park Alerts - Closures and Important Information
Backbone State Park - Delaware County
  • Backbone State Park will be closed December 3 and 4, 2022 for the Backbone Controlled Deer Hunt. The cabins will still be open for reservations but portions of the park will be limited. Only participants possessing the controlled deer hunt licenses will be authorized in the closed areas. Posted 09/18/2022
  • The Six Pines and Southlake Campgrounds will be closed December 2, 3, and 4, 2022 for the Backbone Controlled Deer Hunt. The campgrounds will open on Monday, December 5, 2022. Posted 09/18/2022
  • Road Resurfacing Project: The 16 cabins will not be accepting reservations from January 1, 2023 - February 28, 2024. The Beach Shelter will not be accepting reservations from May 1, 2023 - October 15, 2023. The Beach Lodge we are not accepting reservations from May 1, 2023 - October 15, 2023. The concession will be closed while the cabins are closed from March 1, 2023 - February 28, 2024. If you would like to be notified if the cabins open earlier than expected, fill out this Backbone State Park notification Google form. (Posted 3/1/2021)
Big Creek State Park - Polk County
  • BOAT RAMP CLOSURES: Re-paving of all boat ramp parking lots at Big Creek State Park will take place in 2022. East boat ramp is currently closed and is expected to reopen in the fall. Re-paving has been completed at the West, marina, and Williams Drive ramps. Use caution at these areas as crews may be in the area completing finishing work. 100th St. boat ramp will remain open throughout the summer. This bulletin will be updated as ramps are closed/re-opened. Questions may be directed to the park office at (515) 984-6473 or big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov. (Updated 8/17/2022)
  • Shelters: All shelters are not accepting reservations for 2023. (Posted March 22, 2022)
Black Hawk State Park - Sac County
  • Black Hawk Cabin will be closed for the months of January and February 2023 for maintenance. (Posted 9/27/2022)
  • Gunshot Hill Shelter will be closed until further notice for roof repairs. Anticipated closure is June 2022 to November 2022. Posted June 17, 2022.
  • A Dredge will be in operation on Black Hawk Lake for parts of the 2022 and 2023 summers. Dredge will be in running 24/7. Area on lake being dredged is located to the North of 30 Acres campground. Abnormal noise levels can be expected, while in operation. (Posted May 21, 2022)
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Webster County
  • Restroom and shower buildings in the park will be closed for the season October 17, 2022. Weather permitting, they will reopen April 14, 2023. Camping remains available in the off-season with pit vault toilets in each of the 3 campgrounds; water hydrants and electricity also remain on. For camping during the winter months please contact the park office (515) 543 8298 in advance for information on site accessibility. Camping stays remain limited to 14 days followed by vacating a minimum of 72 hours.
  • To receive emergency alerts for Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, text "WebCoBrushy" to 67283. Text alerts will be sent when severe weather approaches or local emergencies impact the park. To opt out of alerts text "Stop" to 67283.
Clear Lake State Park - Cerro Gordo County
  • The Clear Lake State Park Lodge will be closed to reservations during the 2023 rec season for repairs. The repairs will start in the spring of 2023 and will continue into the summer. After the repairs are finished the lodge will open back up for reservations for the remainder of the season. The park office will not maintain a waiting list. If you would like to be notified when the Lodge opens, fill out
Dolliver Memorial State Park - Webster County
  • To receive emergency alerts for Dolliver Memorial State Park, text "WebCoDolliver" to 67283. Text alerts will be sent when severe weather approaches or local emergencies impact the park. To opt out of alerts text "Stop" to 67283.
Elk Rock State Park - Marion County
  • As of Monday October 17th 2022 all modern restrooms and shower buildings will be closed for the season. The campsite electricity and water hydrants will remain on year round. The buildings will be reopened in mid-April 2023. (Posted 9/20/2022)
  • On Saturday January 7th and Sunday January 8th 2023, the park will be closed to the public for a antler less deer management hunt. The park will re-open to the public on Monday January 9th 2023. For more information please contact the park office at 641-842-6008.
Fairport State Recreation Area - Muscatine County
  • The campground, modern shower facility, dump station, pit latrine and boat ramps are all open and water hydrants and electricity are available [Updated April 18th, 2022].
  • If you would like to make a reservation, click on the above banner titled "Make a Park Reservation" or call toll free 1-877-427-2757. For all other inquires, please contact the park office at 563-263-4337.
Geode State Park - Henry County
  • Starting September 2nd, 2022 the 3 day window will be open again for campsites at full hook up areas in the campground, as well as standard electric, and tent sites in the back of the campground. These sites have been closed to reservations over the summer for repair work on water lines. These sites have been operating as first come, first served sites over the summer, but will change reservation sites again. The first day campers will be able to reserve for is September 5th, 2022.
  • Beach Shelter: This shelter is not accepting reservations for 2022 and 2023. The shelter may be used on a first come first basis. (Posted December 21, 2021)
George Wyth State Park - Black Hawk County
  • George Wyth boat ramp is closed to all boat traffic for maintenance. It will be closed until Oct. 7, 2022.
  • Trail Construction in George Wyth Attention all trail users construction on the Cedar Valley Lakes trail from the George Wyth Lodge to Krieg’s Crossing will be starting on Monday May 9, 2022. The section closed is part of the Cedar River Loop. This section has been closed for the last three years due to washed out sections and the safety of the public. Signs will be posted and fencing will be up. Please stay out of the construction area for your safety and do not go around barricades or fencing. Construction workers are not looking for pedestrians to be anywhere in the construction zone! Project completion is projected to be the end of June barring any weather issues. The second phase of trail repair will start with bid letting in July with a completion date of September 15, 2023.
Green Valley State Park - Union County
  • Cabin and Campsite Closure: Due to this project campsites 9,11,13, 26, 27, 30, 55, 56, 57, 73, 72, 84, 99 and 100 might be affected when the contractor is patching the roadway on Mondays - Thursdays. These campsites will still be usable, but there could be delays accessing these campsites and the 3 camping cabins. This project is expected to be completed by September 30, but completion is weather dependent. (Updated August 9, 2022)
Honey Creek State Park - Appanoose County
  • PARK CLOSURE *11-18-2022 to 11-20-2022*: All of Honey Creek State Park (including campgrounds) will be closed for a deer management hunt from 11-18 to 11-20-2022. This bulletin will be removed when the park has re-opened.
Lake Ahquabi State Park - Warren County
  • Park Renovation Projects: The drawdown of the lake started in mid July of 2021. Due to the lake level going down, the beach will be closed starting on Sunday, July 25 for the remainder of the recreation season and in 2022 unless otherwise posted. The concessionaire is also closed. In 2022, the campground, shelter, and lodge will be closed due to renovation. The lodge and shelter will not be excepting reservations for the 2023 season due to the renovations. (Updated September 1, 2022)
Lake Macbride State Park - Johnson County
  • Modern Campground Water Hydrants have been turned on for the 2022 season
Ledges State Park - Boone County
  • All modern restroom and shower facilities throughout Ledges State Park will CLOSE for the winter season on Monday, October 17th. Portable restrooms will stay in use along the Canyon Drive and in front of each campground restroom building. We will attempt to keep water on to the RV dump station and all hydrants in the campground until temperatures drop below the freezing point. (This alert was updated on 9/24/2022)
Lewis and Clark State Park - Monona County
  • BURN BAN: As of 9/30/22 Monona County has issued a burn ban due to potential wildfire activity. Park Staff are asking that campers do not leave fires unattended, fires are extinguished before retiring for the evening, and that campfires do not get too large. For more information about this burn ban, and to get the most up to date information, please visit the State Fire Marshals Burn Ban Website. This alert will be removed when the burn ban is lifted. (Posted 9/30/22)
  • Phone lines at Lewis and Clark State Park: Phone lines are in the process of being switched, please bear with us as we resolve any issues that arise because of this. If you are unable to reach us, or leave a message and do not receive a response please email Lewis_and_Clark@dnr.iowa.gov. (Posted 9/30/22)
  • 2022 Lewis and Clark Visitor Center Fall/Winter hours: Beginning 8/26/22 the visitors center will be open as staffing allows or by appointment only. Please call the park office to confirm hours or to schedule a tour. (Updated 7/15/22)
  • Winter Facilities Update: On October 17th 2022 the modern facilities will be closed for the winter season. Water will be shut off throughout the park, including the water hydrants throughout the campground (including full-hookup sites). The shower building and beach house will be closed to the public. Pit toilets will be open throughout the park. The dump station is open, but will not have water to wash out tanks. (Posted 8/10/22)
  • 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)
  • Firewood is currently unavailable at the campground. Please bring your own firewood or buy it locally at Bomgaars or gas stations in town. If you bring your own firewood please bring treated wood as to slow the spread of invasive species.
Maquoketa Caves State Park - Jackson County
  • The campground shower building will be tentatively closing on October 17 2022 for the winter unless weather is acceptable to keep it open. (Posted September28 2022)
  • Campground Closure: The campground will be closed and not accepting reservations from November 13 - 30, 2022. The campground will not reopen until March 1, 2023. (Posted September 23, 2022)
  • This Campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations March 1st - November 30th until 9pm CST the day of arrival. A reservation is needed to camp at Maquoketa Caves
  • PARKING UPDATE - Parking in the park is limited to designated parking spots only and will be enforced. Peak park visitation times are weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to explore the park weekdays or during non-peak hours in the morning or late afternoon on weekends. (Posted 4/19/2022)
Pikes Peak State Park - Clayton County
  • Due to renovations, the campground is closed from January 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022. The main parking lot near the overlook is currently open but will be close for renovation from early to late summer. There will be no restrooms or water available until the main parking lot is reopened in late summer. Throughout the construction project, trails will remain open. When the main parking lot is closed, access to the park will be reduced to Homestead Parking and McGregor Parking. These two parking areas are small in size and located a long distance from the main overlook. Visitors should plan accordingly. (Posted 4/26/2022)
  • Effective 8-11-2022 The main overlook parking area will be closed due to road construction. Please park in the youth group parking area to access the main overlook and trail system. ( posted 8-10-2022)
Pine Lake State Park - Hardin County
  • ALL modern restroom and shower facilities will CLOSE for the winter season on Monday, October 17th. Pit Latrines are available at the Circle Point Shelter and Upper Boat Ramp. RV dump station and water hydrants will remain open into the fall.
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area - Linn County
  • Alcohol is prohibited inside the fenced in designated beach area. Alcohol may not be possessed or consumed within the fenced designated beach area.
Red Haw State Park - Lucas County
  • Partial Park Opening: On March 5 a tornado caused severe damage to the park. As of May 20, 2022 the north end of the park which includes the boat ramp, beach and picnic areas are open to the public. There will be 1 flush restroom and 1 vault restroom available. The south side of the park will remain closed which includes the campground and the trails and these areas will most likely not reopen until the summer of 2023. Visitor's must stay out of the closed areas and this is being enforced. If you have any questions, contact the park office at 641-774-5632. (Updated May 20, 2022)
Shimek State Forest - Van Buren County
  • White Oak Campground will be closed for camping October 3-4, 2022 for the Annual Forestry Field Day.
Volga River State Recreation Area - Fayette County
  • The equestrian trails are currently open. (Posted 8/30/22)
Walnut Woods State Park - Polk County
  • Campground restrooms and dump/fill station will close for the season on October 17th 2022. All water in campground will be turned off Nov. 1st.
Wildcat Den State Park - Muscatine County
  • A deer management archery hunt is being held at Wildcat Den from October 1st, 2022 to January 10th, 2023. The park is open to normal visitation and hours during this time.
  • The Pine Creek Grist Mill Hours have changed for the Fall Season. Beginning September 1st, 2022, the Grist Mill will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm until mid-October. (Posted September 1st, 2022)
  • If you would like to make a reservation, click on the above banner titled "Make a Park Reservation" or call toll free 1-877-427-2757. For all other inquires, please contact the park office at 563-263-4337.
Yellow River State Forest - Allamakee County
  • Effective November 19, 2021, if making reservations for 2022 please be advised that most of the campsites at Yellow River State Forest campgrounds have been re-numbered. Sites 1-14 are the same but campsites 15 through 133 have changed. The pictures will be correct on the reservation system, but the number in the picture will be incorrect. New pictures will be added by June 1, 2022. Campground Map has been removed until changes have been made. If you have any questions please call (563) 586-2254.