Alerts and Closures

  Places to Go   >   State Parks   >   Alerts and Closures
State Park Alerts - Closures and Important Information
Backbone State Park - Delaware County
  • 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)
  • 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)
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. West boat ramp and Williams Drive boat ramp are currently closed and expected to re-open in June. East boat ramp and 100th St. boat ramps are currently open. The Beach boat ramp is open, please use caution as construction crews may still be working in the area. Resurfacing of the East boat ramp will begin following completion of the West boat ramp in June. 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 5/19/2022)
  • Shelters: All shelters are not accepting reservations for 2023. (Posted March 22, 2022)
  • July 10th, 2022 Special Event: On Sunday, July 10th the State Games of America Triathlon will be held at Big Creek State Park from 6:00AM to Noon. The event will be staged at the beach area however trails and roadways will be utilized as well. Visitors to the park should expect delays on roadways due to runners and cyclists, limited parking, and increased usage of the beach area during the event. Beach shelters and cabanas will remain available for reservation, however renters should expect higher than normal activity around the beach area until about noon on July 10th. Questions may be directed to the park office at (515) 984-6473 or big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov. (Posted 12/28/2021)
Cedar Rock - Buchanan County
  • Tours of the Walter House will be offered mid-May to mid-October of 2022.
  • Tours of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Walter Estate at Cedar Rock have concluded for the season. Tours will resume in Mid-May 2022.
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.
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
  • Closures and construction work for time period 5/9/2022 thru 6/1/2022. (*Note: All work timing and completion is subject to weather conditions cooperating) Beginning 5/9 the will be a culvert replaced on Beach Road near the intersection with Racine Ave. During this time access to the Beach area and Main boat ramp will be limited to using Lake Road from the south. Other construction occurring will be replacement of the beach boat ramp during this time. Trail access at the north side of the beach will fenced off but users will be able to walk or bike around the work area on the grass adjacent to it. A portion of the Cedar Creek area will also be paved for better lake access and future canoe and kayaking dock. Please be aware of this if you are trying to access the lake from this point.
  • Shower Building #1 in Upper Part of the Campground is open 4/18/2022. Hydrants and electricity are on at campsites. Dump Station is open.
  • As of Monday March 28th, Des Moines County Highway J-20 across the Lake Geode dam will be closed for 6 weeks for repairs. Access from points west of Geode State Park including Lowell, West Point and New London Areas will not be able to get through the park from this direction. Please use other routes to get to or beyond the park
  • Part of the campground will remain first come first served sites until further notice. This effects sites 45-90 and sites 16-28. There is worked anticipated to be done sometime this Spring to early Summer 2022 on water line and water pressure problems in these portions of the camp area which will result in excavation of areas and may effect some campsite areas.
  • 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
  • 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 a road preservation project that is scheduled in 2022, the 3 camping cabins will not be available for reservations Sundays through Thursdays starting on June 1, 2022. (Exception: June 26 - July 5 and August 26 - September 10). Some campsites are affected, which are; 9,11,13, 26, 27, 30, 55, 56, 57, 73, 72, 84, 99 and 100. These campsites will not accept walk-ins or reservations Sundays through Thursdays (Exception: June 26 - July 5). Posted March 7, 2022.
  • Cabin and Campsite Closure: Due to a road preservation project that is scheduled in 2022, the 3 camping cabins will not be available for reservations Sundays through Thursdays starting on June 1, 2022. (Exception: June 26 - July 5). Some campsites are affected, which are; 9,11,13, 26, 27, 30, 55, 56, 57, 73, 72, 84, 99 and 100. These campsites will not accept walk-ins or reservations Sundays through Thursdays (Exception: June 26 - July 5). Posted March 7, 2022.
  • 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 Darling State Park - Washington County
  • As of Friday, April 15th, 2022 the modern restrooms/shower buildings have been opened for the season. (POSTED 4-15-2022)
Lake Macbride State Park - Johnson County
  • Modern Campground Water Hydrants have been turned on for the 2022 season
Lake Manawa State Park - Pottawattamie County
  • Campground Opening: The new campground is anticipated to open in early summer of 2022. When the campground is open, this message will be updated. (Posted May 13, 2022)
Lewis and Clark State Park - Monona County
  • 2022 Lewis and Clark Visitor Center: Beginning 5/25/22 the Visitors Center will be open Wednesday through Saturday 9AM - 4:00PM with possible closures around noon for staff lunch. Sunday through Tuesday the Visitors Center will be open as staffing allows. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available upon request. (Posted 5/22/22)
  • 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.
  • Blue Lake Dredge: During the 2022 recreation season Blue Lake will be undergoing a dredge project. During this time park users may experience varying water levels and noise during the hours of 6AM-7PM daily. If you have any questions regarding park use and the dredge please call 712-423-2829.
  • 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. PLEASE EXERCISE CAUTION when using the boat ramp, as the end of the pavement is just below the waters edge. (Posted 3/17/22)
Maquoketa Caves State Park - Jackson County
  • 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)
Nine Eagles State Park - Decatur County
  • 5/24/2022 BEACH BATHROOM CLOSURE: The modern restroom at the beach is currently closed for renovations and repairs. There is a portable restroom available for use at the beach parking lot and pit toilets located in the equestrian campground. This posting will be removed when the bathroom has re-opened.
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)
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
  • Effective January 10, 2022, The dirt trails have been CLOSED for equestrian use, the WWT is OPEN. This alert will be removed when trail status has changed (Updated 5-24-2022)
Union Grove State Park - Tama County
  • Be aware of potential travel delays while traveling to Union Grove State Park, as road construction work is expected to begin on Highway T-47 between Highway 96 at Gladbrook and Garwin Road/E-27 near Garwin. The project will include resurfacing of this portion of the highway. Traffic is still allowed to travel on this portion of the highway. However, north or south bound travel may be closed at times. Alternate route gravel road C Ave. Please call the park office (641) 473-2556 for updates on the project. Posted 5/19/2022
Volga River State Recreation Area - Fayette County
  • Ivy road is currently under construction with the culvert replacement. Expect possible road closures from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday until completed. Use the following address to get to the east entrance of the Recreation Area. Lima Church 16550 Heron Rd, Fayette Iowa 52142. Note that is a gravel road from Fayette and from HWY 56 Questions please call 563-425-4161
  • Equestrian Trail Open (posted 5/6/2022)
Wildcat Den State Park - Muscatine County
  • Water hydrants, located in the campground and picnic areas, are available, and the flush restroom, located near Pine Creek Grist Mill, are open for the season. The Melpine Schoolhouse is open by appointment only. The Grist Mill is open for visitation Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30PM. [Updated May 14th, 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.