Alerts and Closures

State Park Alerts - Closures and Important Information

Backbone State Park - Delaware County

• Road Resurfacing Project: Visitors may experience noise during the week as contractors are working on the road. 75 percent 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 - March 31, 2024. The Beach Shelter will not be accepting reservations from May 1, 2023 - October 15, 2023. The Beach Lodge will not accept 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 open earlier than expected, fill out this Backbone State Park notification Google form. (Posted 3/1/2021)

Bellevue State Park - Jackson County

• Bellevue State Park Campground: water is on, restrooms and shower house are open for the season. (posted 4/12/2023)

Big Creek State Park - Polk County

• Universally Accessible Fishing Pier Closure: The Universally Accessible Fishing Pier at Big Creek State Park was damaged in the 2020 Derecho. Replacement of the pier is scheduled for June - November of 2023. During construction the pier, parking lot, restroom, and a section of the bike trail nearby will be closed. Questions may be directed to the park office at big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-984-6473. (Posted 04/20/2023)
• OFF-SEASON FACILITIES AND BOAT DOCKS: Modern restroom facilities are open at the Big Creek Beach (center restroom only), East Boat Ramp, Hampton Shelter near the disc golf course, and West Boat Ramp. Other restrooms will open prior to May 1. The fish cleaning station at West Boat Ramp is open for the season. Courtesy docks are available at 100th St., West, Williams Drive, East, and the Beach/Marina boat ramps. (Updated 04/20/2023)

Black Hawk State Park - Sac County

• 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

• 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

• Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright designed property at Cedar Rock 5/24- 10/15, Wednesday - Sunday with tours begining at 10am, departing hourly with the last beginning at 3pm. Reservations at 319.934.3572 or email cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.gov

Clear Lake State Park - Cerro Gordo County

• All park facilities are operational for the summer rec season. Also please note that golf carts, atv's and utv's are strictly prohibited in the Iowa State Parks. Electric toys like razors, scooters, kids vehicles, etc. are not permitted to operate on the state park roads.
• 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)

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.

Fairport State Recreation Area - Muscatine County

• The Fairport Campground is open, but due to damage to the electrical boxes from the flood waters of the Mississippi River, sites 36 to 42 have been temporarily closed. They will reopen as soon as we can have the electrical boxes repaired or replaced. Both docks have been put back into the water for boaters to use. For more information please call the Park Office at 563-263-4337. (Posted 5/23/2023)

Geode State Park - Henry County

• Beach, Beach Parking Lot, and Shelter Closure: The beach, road to the beach and the parking lot will be closed from late April through September of 2023 for demolition and repaving. The trail from the campground to the beach will be closed. The Beach Shelter and restrooms will be closed and will not be accepting reservations. The trail around the lake will remain open and a corridor will be available next to the work area to allow trail users to pass through. This project is expected to be completed in September of 2023. For the most current information, contact the park office at (319) 392-4601. (Updated March 28, 2023)

George Wyth State Park - Black Hawk County

• Water has been turned on for the season. Lori 5/3/23
• 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.

Lake Ahquabi State Park - Warren County

• Park Renovation Updates: Due to the drawdown that started in mid July of 2021, the lake will most likely not be full at the beginning of the summer in 2023, but is dependent on the amount of rain received this spring/summer. The concessionaire will reopen when the lake is full or there is enough water available. DNR anticipates the campground, Lodge and Beach Shelter to reopen mid June of 2023. As the renovation projects are being completed, a date will be identified in early June when the park will reopen. (Updated May 12, 2023)

Lake Darling State Park - Washington County

• Highway 1 & 78 Road Construction: Please see the attached link from the Department of Transportation for information pertaining to the Highway 1 & 78 construction project to take place in 2023. IA DOT Website. (POSTED 4-5-23)

Lake Macbride State Park - Johnson County

• The Shower Building and Modern Restrooms are opened for the 2023 summer season. Modern restrooms are also available at the primitive Campground. Water hydtrants are also available in both campgrounds. Updated 4-25-23

Ledges State Park - Boone County

• The Oak Woods Shelter is currently closed to public access until further notice. No reservations are being taken for the shelter at this time, but the Carl Fritz Henning shelter remains open and available for reservation this season. This alert was updated on April 13, 2023.

Lewis and Clark State Park - Monona County

• The Lewis and Clark State Park Campground is currently full for Memorial Day Weekend. (Posted 5/24/23)
• 2023 Lewis and Clark Visitor Center Spring/Summer hours: Beginning 6/1/23 the visitors center will be open Tuesday - Saturday 9:00-4:00. The Visitors Center will be open Friday 5/26 and Saturday 5/27 for Memorial Day Weekend. Please call the park office to confirm hours or to schedule a tour prior to this date. (Updated 5/24/23)
• 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)

Maquoketa Caves State Park - Jackson County

• 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

• Water is ON in campground.

Palisades-Kepler State Park - Linn County

• Lodge Viewings: Open to the Public, No Reservation Needed, Lodge Viewings are scheduled for May 17th, June 21st, July 19th, August 16th, & September 20th. The viewings are from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Park staff will attend the viewings to answer questions.

Pikes Peak State Park - Clayton County

• The main overlook parking lot and the trails are open. The flush toilets by the concession area are open. The campground will remain closed until the campground reopens, which is expected to be sometime during the 2023 recreation season. (Updated 5-1-2023)
• 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)

Pine Lake State Park - Hardin County

• Modern Restroom and shower facilities are now open. RV dump station and water hydrants are open as well. All other park restrooms are open. (4/14/2023)

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.

Prairie Rose State Park - Shelby County

• Drinking Water Advisory and Mandatory Nonessential Water Usage: Effective May 25, 2023 Regional Rural Water District is recommending boiling the water before using it for drinking or to use an alternative source. Regional Water had a problem in the distribution system and the system lost pressure on May 25, 2023. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, it is recommended that the water be boiled before using for drinking or cooking or that an alternative source be used. The pressure loss is affecting over half of our system, prompting the system-wide boil advisory. IT IS RECOMMENDED NOT TO DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes. If the water is colored, use an alternative source such as bottled water. For more information, please contact the Regional Water Office at 712-343-2413. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791. The system is being repaired, repressurized, and bacteria samples will be collected. This advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. Also, Regional Rural Water has declared "Level Yellow" and to be conservative on water usage. There will be water available for showering and modern bathroom facilities. This notice will be removed once the advisory is no longer in effect. (POSTED May 26, 2023)
• Prairie Rose State Park staff have removed numerous ash trees from the park, including many in and around campsites. Please be aware of this change while booking your next reservation. Ash trees for burning can be taken once a firewood permit has been filled out. Contact staff for a permit at 712-773-2701. Thank you! Posted 3/31/2023

Red Haw State Park - Lucas County

• Campground Closure: Campground will remain closed for 2023. No date is set to reopen. (Posted Jan 10, 2023)

Rock Creek State Park - Jasper County

• All Electric sites are full for the Memorial Day weekend 5-23-2023 thru 5-29-2023. For more information please contact park office at 641-236-3722.

Union Grove State Park - Tama County

• Due to plumbing issues only TWO showers are open in the campground shower building. We apologize for the inconvenience. This alert will be taken down when repairs are made (UPDATED:5/26/23)
• Modern Restroom and shower facilities are now open. RV dump station and water hydrants are open as well. All other park restrooms are open. (4/20/2023)

Volga River State Recreation Area - Fayette County

• (POSTED 5/17/23) Effective May 17, 2023 the equestrian trails are currently OPEN.
• (POSTED 4/27/23) All modern facilities and water are open. We anticipate turning the water and facilities off for the season in October 2023. If you have any further questions please call the park office at (563) 425-4161.
• (POSTED 4/17/2023) Expect detours on Ivy road during May 2023. Ivy road will be resurfaced during the month of May but alternative routes will be available during this time. Some of the detoured routes will include gravel roads. Traffic on Ivy road will not be impacted on the weekends but caution is advised. If you have any questions please contact the office at (563) 425-4161. Thank you.
• 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.

Walnut Woods State Park - Polk County

• The eastern portion of the Walnut Woods trail will be closed indefinately for construction. All other trails remain open.
• Road Closure: On June 11, 2023 the City of West Des Moines will be closing the road accessing Walnut Woods State Park (Walnut Woods Drive) from 6am until Noon for the IRONMAN triathlon event. Emergency access will be available and rental facility/camper access will be very difficult during this time. (Posted April 12, 2023) (Posted April 12, 2023)

Waubonsie State Park - Fremont County

• Waubonsie's Modern Showers and Dumpstation will be turned ON on April 14th, 2023. The equestrian campground water hydrants will be activated on April 28, 2023.

Wilson Island State Recreation Area - Pottawattamie County

• The Campground at Wilson Island is now open for the 2023 recreation season. This includes the showers, restrooms and dump station. Posted 4/16/2023