Alerts and Closures

  Places to Go   >   State Parks   >   Alerts and Closures
State Park Alerts - Closures and Important Information
Ambrose A. Call State Park - Kossuth County
  • Gate Closed -- The gates have been closed as of Tuesday, November 15. (Updated 11-15-2022)
  • The water has been turned off for the season. Electricity will remain on and pit toilets will remain available. (posted 10-18-2022)
Backbone State Park - Delaware County
  • Extensive hazard tree cutting is taking place along roadsides, picnic areas and campgrounds at Backbone State Park. Downed trees may be across or along roadsides. Posted 12/29/2022
  • The North, East, and West Gates are closed for the season. Feel free to park at the gates and walk in, please don't block the gates. Only the park road will be open to snowmobiles, in/out the West and in/out the North, NO snowmobiles on the trails. The South end of the park, to access the cabins, lake and South Lake Campground, will remain open. 11/28/22
  • The modern bathroom facilities at Backbone are closed for the season. This includes the shower buildings and dump station at the South Lake Campground, as well as the restroom at the Beach and Auditorium. The frost free hydrants will remain on until Nov. 1st. The electricity stays on. This does not affect the cabin facilities. Posted: 10/18/22
  • Road Resurfacing Project: Visitor's may experience noise during the week as contractors are working on the road. 75% of the beach parking lot will be available for use. This project does not affect access to the lodge or beach area. 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 will not accepting reservations for Monday through Thursday 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 opens earlier than expected, fill out this Backbone State Park notification Google form. (Posted 3/1/2021)
Bellevue State Park - Jackson County
  • The campground water hydrants have been shut off and the modern restroom/shower building is closed for the season. All water will be turned on and facilities opened in mid-April 2023. Pit toilets are available for use during the off-season. posted 11/1/2022
Big Creek State Park - Polk County
  • Shelters: All shelters will not accepting reservations from September 5, 2023 - September 30, 2023 and also the entire rental season of 2024. (Updated December 9, 2022).
  • OFF-SEASON FACILITIES: Modern facilities at Big Creek State Park including flush restrooms, water hydrants, drinking fountains, and the fish cleaning station at West Boat Ramp have been closed for the season. Portable toilets are available at the beach area until Mid-November. Vault toilets will remain open for off season use at the beach boat ramp, universal fishing pier, disc golf course, and Williams Dr. boat ramps. Courtesy docks have been removed from all boat ramps on Big Creek Lake. (Updated 11/18/2022)
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)
  • 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. Camping stays remain limited to 14 days followed by vacating a minimum of 72 hours. NEW: hydrants at the full hookup sites will be turned off Dec 1st. You may still fill and dump storage tanks but long term hose hookups will not be allowed when there are consistent freezing temperatures. Depending on weather they will be reopened early March. For camping during the winter months please contact the park office (515) 543 8298 in advance for information on site accessibility. Please call with any other questions.
  • Docks have been removed for the season on Brushy Creek Lake.
  • 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.
Cedar Rock - Buchanan County
  • Tours of Cedar Rock have concluded for the season. Tours will resume mid-May to mid-October 2023.
Clear Lake State Park - Cerro Gordo County
  • Both shower buildings and the dump stations are closed for the season. Water is not available at the fill station or full hook up sites. There is a pit latrine located by sites 10 and 11 that is open year round. (Posted 10/24/22) Also please note that golf carts, atv's and utv's are strictly prohibited. Electric toys like razors, scooters, kids vehicles, etc. are not permitted to operate on the state park roads.
  • 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 this Clear Lake Lodge notification Google form. (Posted 5/12/2021)
Dolliver Memorial State Park - Webster County
  • Shower Building, Modern restrooms and Dump Station will close for the season 10/17/22
  • 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)
Fairport State Recreation Area - Muscatine County
  • Park Staff have removed both docks due to freezing. The docks will be put back in sometime in the Spring of 2023. (Posted 12/21/22)
  • The campground at Fairport State Recreation Area is open throughout the winter months, however, water is shut off and the modern restroom is closed for the season. These facilities will re-open around mid April 2023. Electricity will remain on and the pit latrine, located on the west end of the campground, is available for winter use. For additional questions, please contact the park office at 563-263-4337. (UPDATED 10-31-2022)
Geode State Park - Henry County
  • Shower Buildings and water in the campground are shut down for the season. The water hydrant at the campground entrance is left on year round for winter use. Electricity is left on at the campsites during the winter. There is a pit toilet in the center part of the campground that is open for winter use
  • The Shower and restroom building in the lower half of the campground is closed for the season. Please use facilities in the upper part of the campground near sites 25 and 29
  • 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
  • Modern restrooms have been closed for the season and water has been shut off. Lori 11/4/22
  • 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.
Honey Creek State Park - Appanoose County
  • Cabin Closure 12/1/2022 to 3/31/2023: Starting on the Dec. 1 2022, the cabins at Honey Creek State Park will be closed for the season. Cabins will re-open on April 1st.
  • Dock and Fish Cleaning Station Closures 10/24/22: All docks and fish cleaning stations at the main and high water boat ramps have been removed, except for the wedge dock which will remain in place at the main boat ramp until the lake begins to freeze. This bulletin will be removed when the docks have been returned in Spring 2023.
  • 10/24/2022 RESTROOM CLOSURE: The north and south campground shower buildings and flush toilets are now closed for the season. The modern restroom facility at the main boat ramp is closed as well. All vault toilets in the park will remain open. The modern restrooms will reopen in mid-April 2023, weather permitting. This bulletin will be removed when the facilities are open.
Lacey Keosauqua State Park - Van Buren County
  • The shower building has been shut down for the winter and will re-open in April. Frost free hydrants and electricity is still available in the winter months. A pit toilet located in the campground or the park office restrooms available for winter month camping.
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 Anita State Park - Cass County
  • Winter Closure: All modern restrooms and showers have been shut down for the season at Lake Anita State Park. Electricity, frost free hydrants, and sewer drains are still on and available at the campsites. Pit latrines are available at the boat ramps, picnic area, and dam. (Posted 10/18/22)
Lake Darling State Park - Washington County
  • As of Monday, November 14th, 2022 the modern restrooms/shower buildings have been closed for the season. Frost free hydrants, electrical pedestals, dump stations, and pit latrines remain available. Anticipated opening date of the modern restrooms will be Friday, April 14th, 2023. (Posted 11/14/2022)
Lake Keomah State Park - Mahaska County
  • Shower building will be closed October 15th 2022 through the spring of 2023.
Lake Macbride State Park - Johnson County
  • The Shower Building and Modern Restrooms are closed for the winter season. Primitive Restrooms are available at the Main Boat Ramp and South Primitive Campground. Water will remain on the campsites until Late November. Updated 10-17-22
Lake of Three Fires State Park - Taylor County
  • Facilities: The modern restrooms/showers at Lake of Three Fires State Park are closed as of October 17th, 2022 for the winter. The RV dump station is open with no running water. Water hydrants and electric campsites will remain ON in the campground year round.
Lake Wapello State Park - Davis County
  • The shower house and lodge are closed for the season. 10/21/22
Ledges State Park - Boone County
  • The Canyon Drive will be closed to vehicle traffic for the winter season. While it is closed, visitors are welcome to hike into the Canyon area from either the top (Oak Woods Picnic Area) or the bottom (Flood Pole Parking Lot). This alert was updated on 11/15/2022.
  • All modern restroom and shower facilities throughout Ledges State Park are currently CLOSED for the winter season. Portable restrooms will stay in use along the Canyon Drive and in front of each campground restroom building until the end of November. All water hydrants have been turned off in the Ledges campground. One water hydrant at the entrance to the campground remains on throughout the winter, as it's frost free. Electricity is still on and will be through the entire winter. The RV dump station is open, but no rinsing water is available and the hydrants have been winterized. (This alert was updated on 11/10/2022)
Lewis and Clark State Park - Monona County
  • Campsite Closure: Campsites 48-77 and both youth sites will be closed April 23rd through 27th for Loess Hills Cooperative Burn Week. If you are in a walk-in site or have a reservation until 4/23/23 we ask that you leave the north loop of the campground by 3:00PM on 4/23/22. If you have a reservation for 4/28/22 we ask that you arrive at/after 3PM to allow time for staff to re-open the loop safely. (Posted 12/19/22)
  • Modern facilities are closed for the winter season. The shower building and beach house are closed to the public. Pit toilets will be open throughout the park. The dump station will be open without washouts. Water in the campground (including full-hookups) is currently off for the season. Water will be turned back on May 1st 2023. (Posted 10/17/21)
  • 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)
Maquoketa Caves State Park - Jackson County
  • Winter Closures: The Caves are closed for bat hibernation you can still walk trails and view the caves but you may not enter or go through them. They will reopen on April 15th 2023. (Posted 10/18/22)
  • The modern restrooms and shower building have closed for the season and will reopen on April 15 2023. (Posted October 18 2022)
  • 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)
McIntosh Woods State Park - Cerro Gordo County
  • All water facilities are closed. Camping is available with electric for $12/night. 14 day stay limit is enforced, depart for 3 days then may return. Water to fill your self contained camper is available at the Yurt Cabin area hydrant on EAST side of Yurt restroom bldg. Pit latrine is available near boat ramp. Dump station is open without water to flush. NO ATV, UTV, or golf carts are allowed on state parks roadways or trails. Thank you! (Posted 11-2-22)
Pikes Peak State Park - Clayton County
  • The main overlook parking area was opened in October of 2022 and the trails are open. The restrooms, concession building and campground will remain closed until the campground reopens, which is expected to be sometime during the 2023 recreation season. (Updated January 6, 2023)
  • The campground is closed due to renovations. (Posted December 22, 2020) When this project is completed, DNR can notify you once the campground opens by filling out this Pikes Peak Campground notification Google form. (Posted 10/21/2022)
Pilot Knob State Park - Hancock County
  • Off Season - The water has been turned off for the season. The shower building is closed. Camping remains available and nightly camping rates are $12 for electric sites and $6 for non-electric sites. The Host site East of the shower building is available for $18.00 per night. (posted 10-18-2022)
Pine Lake State Park - Hardin County
  • ALL modern restroom and shower facilities are CLOSED for the winter season. Pit latrines are available at the Circle Point shelter and Upper Boat Ramp. Campground water will remain on until freezing temperatures are experienced. (UPDATED 10/25/2022)
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area - Linn County
  • Water facilities will be shut down for the season 10/17/22. This includes dump station, bathrooms, shower buildings, and hydrants throughout the park. Facilities will be turned back on mid to late April 2023 depending on weather.
  • Alcohol is prohibited inside the fenced in designated beach area. Alcohol may not be possessed or consumed within the fenced designated beach area.
Prairie Rose State Park - Shelby County
  • Beginning Monday, October 17th, the shower building and modern restrooms will be shut down for the winter season. Latrines will remain open throughout the winter. Water hydrants to the park will be turned off Monday, November 14th. A hydrant will remain on located at the park office for winter use. Water will remain off until April 15th, 2023. UPDATED: 11/10/2022
  • Prairie Rose State Park staff are beginning to remove ash trees affected by emerald ash borer throughout the park and will have a surplus of wood available to the public. If you wish to take wood for burning, please contact the park staff at 712-773-2701 to fill out a firewood salvage permit. Permits are free of charge. Added: 10/10/2022
Red Haw State Park - Lucas County
  • Campground Closure: Campground will remain closed for 2023. No date is set to reopen. (Posted Jan 10, 2023)
  • Beach Bathroom Closure 10/24/2022: The modern restroom at the beach is closed for the season. The vault restroom will remain open. This bulletin will be removed when the restroom has been re-opened in Spring 2023.
Rock Creek State Park - Jasper 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 the campground; water hydrants and electricity also remain on. The dump station can still be used but will not have cleanout water available. For camping during the winter months please contact the park office (641)236-3722 in advance for information on site accessibility. Camping stays remain limited to 14 days followed by vacating a minimum of 72 hours.
Shimek State Forest - Van Buren County
  • ATTENTION!!!! Forest roads are minimum maintenance and may be snow covered, icy, or slick during winter months. Use caution if traveling in the Forest.
  • Effective December 29, 2022, 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.
Stephens State Forest - Lucas County
  • EQUESTRIAN TRAIL CLOSURE: Effective January 10, 2023 the trails have been closed due to wet conditions. This bulletin will be removed when the trails have been re-opened.
Stone State Park - Woodbury County
  • The park roads are closed for the winter season. Parking is available at the equestrian lot, near the park office, and at the west park entrance. The park is open for hiking and other non-vehicular traffic. Please call 712-255-4698 for information. (Posted 11/17/22)
  • BURN BAN: A Burn Ban has been issued due to increased 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. (Poste10/24/22)
  • Modern facilities are closed for the winter season. The shower building and Ricketts Glenn bathroom are closed to the public. Pit toilets will be open throughout the park. (Posted 10/17/21)
Union Grove State Park - Tama County
  • Modern restroom and shower facilities in the campground will close for the season on October 17, 2022. Electricity and water hydrants in the campground will remain on throughout the Fall. There are pit vault restrooms available for use during the off season. Modern facilities will reopen mid-late April 2023. (posted 10/11/2022)
Viking Lake State Park - Montgomery County
  • Modern restroom facilites in the campground will be shut down beginning Monday, Oct 24th 2022, frost free hydrants will be availible until Dec 1st 2022. Posted 10/24/2022
Volga River State Recreation Area - Fayette County
  • All modern facilities, water, and the dump station are closed for the season at Lakeview campground and the boat ramp. The water at the Albany equestrian campground is turned off. The Lakeview campground is closed for the season. There are non-modern restrooms available throughout the area and remain open all year. If you have any further questions please call the park office at (563) 425-4161. (POSTED 11/30/22)
  • The equestrian trails are CLOSED for the season. They will reopen in the spring of 2023. (POSTED 11/30/22)
  • Effective November 9, 2022, if making reservations for 2023 please be advised that most of the campsites at Volga River State Recreation Area campgrounds have been re-numbered. Lakeview campground sites 31-36 are the same however the rest have changed. The pictures will be correct on the reservation system. New pictures will be added in June 2023. Campground Map has been removed until changes have been made. If you have any questions please call (563) 425-4161.
Wapsipinicon State Park - Jones County
  • PARK ROAD CLOSURE: Effective November 14th, 2022: The main park road between the playground and the campground is now closed until weather conditions improve. (11-14-22)
  • WINTER CLOSURES: Effective October 17th, 2022: The modern restrooms, water, and drinking fountains are closed. Campsites with 30 amp electricity will remain on. (posted 10/17/2022)
Waubonsie State Park - Fremont County
  • Waubonsie's seasonal modern restrooms, showers, and dump station will be closed on October 31st for the winter season. The Equestrian Area water will be also be shut off at this time. Camping is still available with electricity and community water hydrants. Two modern cabins and the WaShawtee Lodge are still available to rent. All facilities will be open again by April 15th, 2023 or as weather allows.
Wildcat Den State Park - Muscatine County
  • Due to weather conditions and slick roads, Park Staff have closed a section of the through Park Road. You can still access the Campground and Upper Picnic Area from the South Entrance via New Era Rd and the Lower Picnic Area through the North Entrance off of Verde Ave. (Posted 11-15-2022)
  • Water hydrants in the campground and picnic area are currently disconnected and will be available again around mid April 2023. The campground, hiking trails, and pit latrines (located in the campground and Upper Picnic Area) will remain open year-round. The Pine Creek Grist Mill and Melpine Schoolhouse are closed for the season. If you would like to make a future reservation for the 2023 recreation season, please visit https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/, or call toll free 1-877-427-2757. For all other inquires, please contact the park office at 563-263-4337. (UPDATED 10-17-2022)