State Park Alerts - Closures and Important Information
Backbone State Park - Delaware County
- Road Resurfacing Project: The 16 cabins will not be accepting reservations from March 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022. The Beach Shelter will not be accepting reservations from March 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022. The Beach Lodge we are not accepting reservations from March 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022. The concession (including boat rentals) will be open the Friday before Memorial Day through June 30, 2021. The concession may be open in July and will be determined as the summer progresses. The concession will be closed while the cabins are closed from March 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022.
Visitors may experience noise during the week as contractors are working on the road. This project does not affect access to the lodge or beach area. (Posted April 23, 2021) 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)
- Road Resurfacing Project: If you would like to be notified if the beach lodge opens earlier than expected, fill out this Backbone State Park notification Google form. (Posted 5/12/2021)
- A road construction project will be taking place throughout the park. Most of the work will be focused in the South Lake campground. The campground will remain open but you can expect detours and slowdowns. The dump station may also be closed for a short period. The entire North end of the park will be closed at some point for crack and fog sealing. This will be only a few hours. Monitor this space for updates.
Big Creek State Park - Polk County
- Due to a sewage system issue, the following bathrooms will be closed until further notice: Hampton, Model Air, and East Boat Ramp. There is a Pit toilet located next to the Disc Golf Course, another one is located next to the Universal Fishing Pier and the closest flushable restroom would be next to the Cadet Shelter. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Posted 7/23/21)
Cedar Rock - Buchanan County
- 2021 Tour Availability: Tours will be offered on a reservation only basis and will be limited to a number of participants. Tours are given hourly from 10 am to 3 pm, Wednesday's - Sunday's from May 26 - October 17. (Posted April 27, 2021)
Emerson Bay State Recreation Area - Dickinson County
- South Shower House Closed: The south shower house at Emerson Bay Campground will be closed for maintenance until further notice. When shower house is opened this bulletin will be removed. (Posted July 28, 2021)
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 turned on. If you would like to make a future campground 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. (UPDATED 7-17-2021)
Geode State Park - Henry County
- The back of the campground. sites 46-90 are now open to first come, first served camping. Shower house #2 is also open at this time for use
- Geode Campground: Sites 46-90 remain closed due to water pressure issues. The front part of the campground is open sites 1-45. The full hook-up sites (16-28) are available on a first come first served basis. 4 tent sites are available on the western edge of the front of the campground. For questions please call the park office at (319) 392-4601. (Updated October 13, 2020)
Green Valley State Park - Union County
- Campground and Cabin Closure: The campground and cabins are not accepting reservations from April 1, 2022 - October 31, 2022 due to an anticipated road project. (Updated 6/28/2021)
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. The lodge and shelter will be available in 2021, but the water level will be very low in August and September due to the lake restoration project. In 2022, the campground, shelter, and lodge will be closed due to renovation. (Updated July 21, 2021)
Lake Macbride State Park - Johnson County
- ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Beginning Tuesday, September 7, 2021, the one-way road leading to the Main Boat Ramp, Main Lodge and Beach will be closed to vehicle traffic for a road reconstruction project. This will not affect access to the modern campground, the Coralville Boat Ramp or the dam and spillway area. All other boat ramps and shelters will be available as normal.
Please make plans accordingly.
Lewis and Clark State Park - Monona County
- MANGANESE LEVELS ARE HIGH. DO NOT GIVE TAP WATER TO INFANTS UNDER 6 MONTHS OLD OR USE IT TO MAKE INFANT FORMULA.
Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in soil, water, and air. It is commonly found in the food we eat, including nuts, legumes, seeds, grains, and green leafy vegetables and in drinking water. Our bodies require small amounts of manganese to stay healthy. Adults and children get enough manganese from the foods we eat. Infants and children get enough manganese from breast-milk, food, or formula.
We will update this alert once manganese levels are reduced.
- 2021 Lewis and Clark Visitor Center: The visitor center will be open May 1 - October 1 on Tuesdays - Saturdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Restrooms and touch points will be sanitized daily. The displays with intensive hands on contact will remain closed. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available. the visitor center can be available by appointment only the remainder of the year by calling the park office at 712 423-2829. (Posted April 27, 2021)
- 2021 Campground Changes: The previous campsites 1 - 31 have been eliminated in the campground. The previous site 32 is now site 1 and all campsites were renumbered. Please take notice of this change when making your 2021 camping reservations. (Posted January 14, 2021).
Maquoketa Caves State Park - Jackson County
- 2021 Campground Changes: The campground is 100% reservable. Same day reservations will be accepted from April 1 - October 31 and until 9 pm on the day of arrival. A reservation is required to camp. (Posted 4/16/2021)
- Starting April 1st 2021 parking will be limited to designated spots only, once they are full you must wait for a open parking spot to access the park, Please plan your trip to come earlier or later in the day and avoid peak times on the weekends from 11-4 pm. If arriving during peak times, you should have an alternate place to visit until the park is less busy. (Posted 4/16 2021)
Palisades-Kepler State Park - Linn County
- Park re-opens after August 10, 2020 Derecho: On April 23, 2021 the park re-opened after several months of work to remove damaged trees, downed limbs, and clearing debris. Reservations are being accepted for everything except for the lodge, which has extensive roof damage. The lodge will be repaired in the summer of 2021. (Posted April 21, 2021)
Pikes Peak State Park - Clayton County
- Campsite Closure: Campsites 27, 28, 30, 31 and 34 are closed for the 2021 recreation season. (Posted April 9, 2021)
Pine Lake State Park - Hardin County
- Campground Reopening: The campground at Pine Lake State Park has re-opened after being closed for renovations since August or 2020. Campers making reservations at Pine Lake should be aware that some campsites have been removed in order to increase usable space for the remaining campsites. This has resulted in changes to campsite numbers, and some campsites that were once first-come, first-served may now be reservable and vice-versa. Campers wishing to reserve sites in a specific area of the campground should consult the updated campground map prior to making a reservation. Also be aware that staff continue to remove trees in the campground due to emerald ash borer, and site photos may not reflect those changes at this time. Please direct questions to the park office at pine_lake@dnr.iowa.gov or 641-858-5832. (Updated 05/03/2021)
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.
Preparation Canyon State Park - Monona County
- 2021 Loess Hills Visitor Center: The visitor center will be open May 1 - October 1 on Tuesdays - Fridays from 8:30 am to noon. Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Restrooms and touch points will be sanitized daily. The displays with intensive hands on contact will remain closed. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available. (Posted April 27, 2021)
- 2021 Visitor Center: The visitor center will be open May 1 - October 1 on Tuesdays - Fridays from 8:30 am to noon. Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Restrooms and touch points will be sanitized daily. The displays with intensive hands on contact will remain closed. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available. (Posted April 27, 2021)
Rock Creek State Park - Jasper County
- Playground Closed Due to Renovation. The playground in the campground at Rock Creek State Park is currently closed due to renovation. Anticipated completion date is set for around September 2021. For more information please contact park office at 641-236-3722.
- Campsite Closure: Campsites 109 - 120 are closed through August 1, 2021 to allow for grass re-establishment. (Posted April 9, 2021)
Shimek State Forest - Van Buren County
- BRIDGE CLOSURE ON IOWA 2 EAST OF FARMINGTON BEGINS AT 8 A.M. MONDAY, MAR. 29
Replacement of the Iowa 2 bridge over Lick Creek (4.3 miles east of the junction with Iowa 81) east of Farmington, and the bridge over Sugar Creek (1.8 miles west of U.S. 218), will require closing the road to traffic over the Lick Creek bridge beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, Mar. 29, until late-June, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Fairfield construction office.
Once the Lick Creek bridge opens, the Sugar Creek bridge will close for construction. The bridge projects will be coordinated so the Iowa 2 bridges are not closed at the same time.
Detour Route: Through traffic on Iowa 2 will be detoured using U.S. 218, Lee County Road J-40/160th Street, and Lee County Road W-46/100th Avenue. It is anticipated the detour will be in place for most of the construction season. Local traffic will have access to Iowa 2 except for the bridges crossing over Lick Creek and Sugar Creek .
The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.
The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter; or download the free app to your mobile device. Detour Map. (Posted 3/25/2021)
Springbrook State Park - Guthrie County
- Campground facilities open for the 2021 season
Stone State Park - Woodbury County
- Online reservations for the campground and cabins are open until 8/28/21.
- Potential Noise: On weekdays, there may be a contractor in the park working on road construction. During this time, there might be noise associated with the work, but this will not affect access to the campground or the camping cabins. (Updated 7/26/21)
- Lodge, Cabin, and Campground reservations may be temporarily unavailable for the summer of 2021 due to a road repair project which will begin on 7/06/2021 and last for an unknown amount of time. The road repair will affect access to facilities at the park which is why the closure has been put in place. Cabins 1 and 2 may be available by walk-in by making an appointment with the office. Please call the office number at 712-255-4698 for up to date information on closures.
Viking Lake State Park - Montgomery County
- The lake level is currently down approximately 7 feet. Lake levels are solely dependent on rainfall to reach normal levels. Boating and swimming activities are limited and you should call the Park Office for further details. (Posted 5-4-21)
Volga River State Recreation Area - Fayette County
- Equestrian trails currently open (posted 7-16-21)
Wildcat Den State Park - Muscatine County
- The Pine Creek Grist Mill will be open Wednesday - Sunday from 12:00 to 4:30PM, weather permitting. The campground, hiking trails, modern restroom, and pit latrines are all open and water hydrants are turned on. If you would like to make a future campground 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. (UPDATED 7-17-2021)
Wilson Island State Recreation Area - Pottawattamie County
- The campground at Wilson Island is currently closed but is expected to open mid to late July of 2021. Most of the repairs are complete, however water repairs need to be completed. Once the campground is opened, the reservation system will be made available. Updated 7.6.21