Alerts and Closures

The North, East, and West gates at Backbone are now closed for the season.  You are welcome to park at the entrances and walk in.  Please do not block the gates.  Posted: 11/28/23

Neal Smith Trail Closure: A short section of the Neal Smith Trail through Big Creek State Park is currently closed due to a construction project. Trail users must detour off-trail to avoid the construction site.  The trail is expected to re-open by June 2024. Questions may be directed to the park office at 515-984-6473 or big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov. (Posted 12/1/2023)

Snowmobile Trail Status: The snowmobile trail at Big Creek State Park and Wildlife Area is currently CLOSED. The trail is open with measurable snow from January 11 through March 14th. (Updated 11-21-2023)

OFF-SEASON FACILITIES: Modern restrooms and the fish cleaning station at Big Creek State Park are closed for the season. Vault toilets are available for off season use at the Beach boat ramp, Disc Golf Course, and Williams Drive Boat Ramp.  Docks at the Beach, East, West, and 100th St. boat ramps have been removed for the season. The dock at the Williams Drive Boat Ramp is expected to remain in the water uitil the lake freezes or there is significant snowfall forecasted. Questions about seasonal closures may be directed to the park office at big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-984-6473. (Updated 11-21-2023)

Black Hawk State Park shower building is closed for the season.

Restroom and shower buildings in the park will be closed for the season October 16, 2023. Weather permitting, they will reopen April 15, 2024. 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. Please call (515) 543 8298 with any other questions. Please call ahead for winter camping conditions. We do not plow snow at campsites unless prior arrangements have been made.

*Hydrants at the full hook up sites have been turned off to prevent freezing and breaking while hooked up to hoses. They will reopen in Spring when temperatures are consistently above freezing. Hydrants remain on at the fill and dump stations to fill camper tanks.

All water is OFF in the North Equine and Beach Campgrounds due to a water leak.  Water remains on in the South Equine Campground. This bulletin will be updated when repairs are made. Thank you for your understanding.

Docks will be removed from Brushy Creek Lake boat ramps Thursday 11-16-23.

Tours have concluded for the season at Cedar Rock. Schedule a tour of the Walter Estate Wed-Sunday May 22-October 13, 2024.

Clear Lake Lodge: Due to the renovation construction process moving slower than anticipated, the lodge will be open for reservations for the 2023 summer rec season but will be closed after September 5, 2023 through Sept 2024. At that time reservations can be made online on through the call center. If you would like to be notified when the lodge opens, fill out this Clear Lake Lodge notification Google form. (Posted 2/16/2023)

Request to be notified when Dolliver Memorial State Park reopens: The campground and all facilities at Dolliver Memorial State Park are closed from July 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024 due to a road repaving project. If the project starts later or is completed earlier than expected, DNR can notify you that the closure will be removed for the campground, cabins, lodges and shelter. If you would like to be notified, fill out the following form, Dolliver Memorial State Park notification Google form. (Posted 9/7/2023)

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

On Saturday January 6th and Sunday January 7th 2024, 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 8th 2024. For more information please contact the park office at 641-842-6008.

As of Monday October 15th 2023 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 2024. (Posted 9/20/2023)

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

The campground at Fairport Recreation Area is open throughout the winter months, however, water is shut off and the modern restroom/shower building and RV dump station are closed for the season. These facilities will re-open around May 1st, 2024. Electricity will remain on and the pit latrine, located on the west end of the campground, will remain available for winter use. Docks have been removed from river and will be placed back in Spring 2024  (Posted 12//2023)

All modern campground restroom facilities will be closed for the season on November 1st, 2023. During the winter months the electricity is left on at the campsites, water is left on at the hydrant at the campground entrance, there is a pit toilet located at the center of the campground. Please be mindful of winter weather and slippery conditions. The campground gates may be closed if there is impending heavy snow or icy conditions. Please check ahead of time with park staff. Geode park office (319)392-4601

The Beach Area Road and parking lot will be open and accessible again sometime the day of Thursday October 19th. 

Water is shut off and modern restrooms are closed for the season. 

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

10/27/2023 MODERN RESTROOM CLOSURES: 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 2024, weather permitting. This bulletin will be removed when the facilities are open. 

Lake Ahquabi is open to the public.  The beach side will remain closed but will reopen Spring of 2024.  The Lake has not reached full crest yet but is continuing to fill up.

Winter Restroom 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. Buildings will be opened again around April 15th 2024 depending on weather. (Posted 10/18/23)

As of Monday, October 30th, 2023 the modern restroom facilities are closed for the season.  They will be re-opened April 15th, 2024. (POSTED 10/30/23)

All buildings including Shower Building will be closed October 15th 2023 unitl the Spring of 2024.

-Posted October 5th 2023

Request to be notified when Lake Keomah Facilities reopens: The facilities at Lake Keomah State Park are closed from August 1, 2024 - October 15, 2025, due to renovations. If the project starts later or is completed earlier than expected, DNR can notify you that the closure will be removed for the lodges and shelters. If you would like to be notified, fill out the following form, Lake Keomah Facilities reopens. (POSTED 09/18/2023)

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 10-23-23

The Lake Manawa campground, restroom facilities and fish cleaning station are now closed for the winter season.  Those facilities will open up mid-April of 2024.  A portable toilet is located at the playground parking lot and all other day use facilities are still available, however all docks have been removed to prevent ice damage. 

Facilities: The modern restrooms/showers at Lake of Three Fires State Park are closed as of October 26th, 2023 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. Posted 10/26/2023.

The lodge and the beach restrooms are closed and winterized for the season. Posted 10/16/2023.

The lodge and beach restrooms are closed and winterized for the season. Posted 10/16/2023.

The shower house located in the campground at Lake Wapello State Park has been shut down and winterized for the season. Posted 10/16/2023.

WINTER SEASON CLOSURES:  The Canyon Drive is currently CLOSED to vehicle traffic due to icing of the low water crossings, making vehicle passage unsafe. Visitors are welcome to hike into the Canyon area at this time from either the Oak Woods picnic area (near the Canyon entrance gates) or the Flood Pole parking lot in Lower Ledges. The campground is currently closed to overnight camping and the roadway is gated closed. Visitors are welcome to hike into the campground though. Modern restrooms throughout the park are currently closed as well. Portable restrooms will be available in the Oak Woods picnic area and canyon area of the park until the end of November. There is also a pit vault latrine open and available year round just west of the campground entrance. (This alert was updated on 11/27/2023)

From late October through the winter months, park staff will be conducting prescribed fire resource management activities in Ledges State Park on days where the weather is favorable. Be advised you may encounter delays in reaching certain parts of the park when a prescribed fire is being conducted. Signs will be posted along roadways adjacent to any fire activity. If you have any questions about prescribed fire activities at Ledges State Park, please call the park office at (515) 432-1852. This alert was updated on 11/6/23.

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) To see current drought conditions click this link.

Banquet Room and Lodge Reservation Update: Reservations for the day use Lodge and Banquet Room will be unavailable beginning this year (2023) for repairs and updates to these facilities. The Banquet Room will be closed for reservations from 8/14/23 - 6/3/24. The Lodge will be closed for reservations 9/25/23 - 7/30/24. If you would like to be notified when the lodge or banquet room opens, fill out the following form: Lewis and Clark Google Form. (POSTED 4/11/23)

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

CAVES CLOSED FOR BAT HIBERNATION. They will reopen on April 15 2024. (posted October 16 2023)

All modern facilities in the park have closed for the season they will reopen on April 15 2024 (posted October 16 2023)

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

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

Water facilities are now CLOSED for the Season this includes shower bldg, all restrooms, yurts, fish cleaning station and dump station.  Camping rates are  $12.00/elec and $6.00/non elec.  The docks at the two boat ramps will remain until the last week of October.  

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

Seasonal Closures: Campground, Cabins, Lodge, and Shelters closed for the season. Campground and cabins reopen mid April (weather dependent), lodge reopens on May 1st. The road past the lodge and the campground road are closed for the winter season. Visitors may use the accessible parking lots and walk through the park. All water systems are off for the season. (Posted October 31, 2024)

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

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 10-16-2023)

From early November through the winter months park staff will be conducting perscribed fire throughout Pine Lake State Park. Be advised you may encounter delays in reaching certain areas of the park when a perscribed fire is being conducted. Signs will be posted along roadways adjacent to perscribed fires. If you have any questions about perscribed fire activites at Pine Lake State Park, please call the park office (6411)-858-5832. (11/13/23)

FACILITY CLOSURES: ALL modern restroom and shower facilities throughout Pine Lake State Park are closed for the season. RV dump station and water hydrants will remain on. Pit latrines are available at Upper Pine Lake Boat Ramp and Circle Point Shelter.  

Water facilities are shut down for the winter season.  Facilities wil be turned back on late April 2024. (Posted 10/16/23)

Beginning Monday, October 16th, the shower building and modern restrooms will be shut down for the winter season. Latrines will remain open throughout the winter. Water hydrants in the campground are now off. Water for fill up can be found next to the park shop and will be available throughout the winter. The water will remain off until April 15th, 2024. POSTED: 11/13/2023

Beach Bathroom Closure 10/16/2023: The Modern Restroomat the beach is closed for the season. The vault restroom will remain open. This bulletin will be removed when the restrhas been re-opened in the Spring of 2024.

Construction will be on going throughout the park. Please be mindful of trucks and equipment driving through the park and working. Posted (October 31st, 2023)

All water hydrants at Springbrook have been shut off for the remainder of the season and will be turned back on in mid April of 2024. (POSTED 10/31/2023)

Springbrook State Parks Beach Shelter's Restroom water has been turned off and it will be closed for the remainder of the 2023 rec season. The electricity has also been shut off to the shelter as well.  (Posted 10/12/2023)

The shower/restroom buildings have been closed for the season. (Posted 10/17/2023)

TRAIL CLOSURE: Effective November 28th, 2023, all multi-use trails are closed to equestrian traffic for the season. This bulletin will be removed when trails are opened back up for use in the spring 2024. (posted 11/28/23)

Campground Closure: Effective November 20, 2023 the campground is closed.  The campground is expected to reopen on April 15, 2024.  (Posted November 20, 2023)

Winter Facilities Update:  Modern facilities are closed for the winter season.  The shower building and Ricketts Glen bathroom are closed to the public.  Water hydrants have been shut off for the season.  Pit toilets will be open throughout the park.  (Posted 10/19/23)

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

Seasonal Closure: Modern restrooms and shower buildings are closed and the water shut off in all parks and recreation areas. 

FACILITY CLOSURE: Campground restroom and shower facility are closed for the season. RV dump station and water hydrants will remain on. Pit Latrines are avaliable in the Union Grove Campground. (10/16/23)

(POSTED 11/28/23) The equestrian trails are closed for the season. We anticipate re-opening them in April 2024. If you have any further questions please call the office (563) 425-4161.

Campground restrooms will close for the season on October 16th, 2023. All water hydrants will shut down on November 1st 2023 for the winter. Dump and fill station are closed for the season. All pit toilets will remain open through the winter.

WINTER CLOSURES: Effective October 23, 2023: The modern restrooms, water, and drinking fountains are closed. Campsites with electricity will remain on. (posted 10/23/2023)

Cabins 1 (Shagbark) and 3 (Mischanaka) will be closed for maintenance from November 27th through December 13th, 2023.  If the cabins are reopened sooner, and you'd like to be notified, please use this Google form.  

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 11-29-2023)

The Pine Creek Grist Mill is closed until Spring of 2024. (Posted 10/23/2023)

The campground and trails at Wildcat Den State Park remain open throughout the winter months, however, water hydrants and the modern restroom are closed for the season. These services will resume around May 1st, 2024. 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 have any questions, please call the park office at 563-263-4337  (UPDATED 10/16/2023)

The campground at Wilson Island is now closed until April 15th of 2024. This closure includes all water hydrants and restrooms in the park.  A pit toilet east of the shelters is open year round.  Trails, shelters and other day use opportunities are still available.  Questions can be directed to the park office at  712-642-2069.  Posted October 16, 2023