State Park Alerts - Closures and Important Information
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Webster County
- THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018: Significant rainfall has resulted in elevated lake levels and submerged docks. Boaters are urged to use caution when using the boat ramps, courtesy docks, and fishing pier at Brushy Creek Lake. Increased outflow from the lake has also raised creek levels at the spillway and downstream.
- As of June 19, 2018 the trails at Brushy Creek are temporarily closed to equestrian and bike use due to wet conditions. The 12 mile all-weather rock trail around the lake remains open for use. This bulletin will be removed when trails have dried sufficiently to reopen.
- The Southeast River trails section south of the creek remain closed due to flooding. This is approximately 3 miles of trail. All other trails are open.
Dolliver Memorial State Park - Webster County
- THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018: Flooding from the nearby Des Moines River has forced the closure of the Main Park Road form the North Open Shelter south to the Stone Bathrooms. Areas affected by this closure include Boneyard Hallow, the Center Lodge, the Family Cabins, the Dolliver Campground, and the Boat Ramp. Flooding is forecasted to impact these areas until July 1st, if not longer. Please call the park office at (515) 359-2539 for more information.
Fairport State Recreation Area - Muscatine County
- Reservable campsites 32 - 40 are closed for advanced reservations. These campsites are expected to be closed due to flooding through July 8, 2018. (Updated June 24, 2018)
Geode State Park - Henry County
- A short section of the hiking trail which circles the lake will be closed for construction work occurring in that area. This is occurring on the west side of the lake near the spillway area of the dam. This is construction of a haul road for hauling silt out of the lake as part of the lake renovation. Only the small stretch close to spillway on the west side of the dam will be closed. If hiking counter clockwise on the trail around the lake it will be necessary to bypass the work by leaving the trail at the youth camp area or shelter #4 and using the road shoulder of highway J-20 to continue around the lake and vice versa if travelling clockwise. It is expected that there will be work in this area for until Spring 2019.
- The Beach Shelter will not be open for rental all of 2018 connected to the campground facilities and therefore will need to remain off (includes:water/restrooms/kitchenette) while lines in the campground are upgraded and replaced. The outdoor portion of the shelter may be used on a first come, first served basis. The lake is drained and there is no swimming at the beach, but the area near the beach facility and trails may still be used.
- The Campground will be closed for all of 2018 for renovation. It is anticipated that all work will be completed for a Summer 2019 opening.
- Campground Renovation: The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through May 23, 2019. (Updated 8/3/17)
George Wyth State Park - Black Hawk County
- Water and restrooms are open for the season. Posted 4/25/18
Honey Creek State Park - Appanoose County
- North Shower Building Renovation: The shower building will be unavailable from August 1 through October 31, 2018. The new shower building will be seasonal and there will no longer a year round shower building available. (POSTED March 7, 2018)
Lacey Keosauqua State Park - Van Buren County
- Campground Renovation: The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018. (Posted 8/3/17)
Lake Darling State Park - Washington County
- As of Monday, April 23rd, 2018, the modern restroom facilities have been opened for the year. The anticipated closing date for the 2018 recreation season will be Monday, October 15th. (Posted 4/26/18)
Lake Macbride State Park - Johnson County
- Alcohol is prohibited inside the fenced in designated beach area. Alcohol may not be possessed or consumed within the fenced designated beach area. (June 28, 2017)
Lake Wapello State Park - Davis County
- Shower house is now open for the season.
Ledges State Park - Boone County
- Flooding from the nearby Des Moines River has forced the closure of the Lower Ledges Road and adjacent parking lots. Flooding is forecasted to impact these areas until July 1st, if not longer. Please call the park office at (515) 432-1852 for more information. (updated 6/21/2018)
- The Canyon Drive is currently closed to vehicle traffic while a construction project is underway to repair roadway damages. Visitors are welcome to hike into the Canyon at this time though, but are advised to use the trails to access the canyon and stay clear of where the work is taking place. Parking is located at the top (east) of Canyon Drive. Many other picnic areas, trails, and both open shelters remain open and accessible by vehicle. For detailed information on the Canyon Drive repair project, included expected timelines, please contact the park office at 515-432-1852 or Ledges@dnr.iowa.gov (updated 6/20/2018)
- Campground Renovation: The campground is currently CLOSED for a renovation project. It will remain closed through most, if not all of 2018. Visitors are asked to stay out of the campground at this time to avoid interference with the project. (UPDATED June 20, 2018)
Maquoketa Caves State Park - Jackson County
- Campground Renovation: The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through October 31, 2018 because of renumbering of sites. New reservations will not be accepted until the sites have been renumbered. (Updated June 12, 2018)
- All of Maquoketa Caves State Park is closed due to Road Construction along with an Electrical Upgrade to the Campground. All and any changes to project will be posted here if we re-open earlier. Park closure date is Feb 5 through October 31, 2018. (Updated June 12, 2018)
Marble Beach State Recreation Area - Dickinson County
- Campground Renovation: The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019. (UPDATED September 5, 2017)
McIntosh Woods State Park - Cerro Gordo County
- OPEN for 2018 season. Water facilities are ON including modern restrooms & shower bldg.
Nine Eagles State Park - Decatur County
- Bridge Closure: The bridge south of Davis City on J-66 and Miller Rd will be closed from April until August of 2018. The detour is 2 miles on gravel. (Posted April 5, 2018)
- Bridge Closure: The bridge south of Davis City on J-66 and Miller Rd will be closed from April until August. The detour is 2 miles on gravel. (Posted April 5, 2018)
- Non Electric Campground: As of April 5, 2018 there will be no water available in the non electric campground. There will be water available in the electric campground if needed. (Posted April 5, 2018)
- Cabin Closure: The modern cabin will be closed for the 2018 recreation season. (Posted 4/5/2018)
Palisades-Kepler State Park - Linn County
- Lodge Closure: The lodge will be closed due to well maintenance for the entire 2018 and 2019 rental season. (UPDATED 4/4/2018)
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area - Linn County
- BEACH CLOSED- The lake is still low due to the lake restoration project. The lake is refilling but it will take some time. Estimates of late summer 2019 to spring 2020 until the lake will be full and beach will be open. (posted 6/18/2018)
Stephens State Forest - Lucas County
- EQUESTRIAN TRAIL CLOSURE: The equestrian trails are currently closed. This notice will be removed when the trails have been re-opened. Questions can be directed to the forest headquarters at 641-774-4559 (updated 6/20/18).
Volga River State Recreation Area - Fayette County
- EQUESTRIAN TRAILS CLOSED: Effective Thursday, June 21, 2018 the equestrian trails are closed due to wet conditions associated with heavy rains. Trails will remain closed until they have had a chance to dry out. This bulletin will be removed once the trails have been re-opened.
- The Water has been turned on the Lakeview and Albany Campgrounds for the camping season. The water will be turned off for the winter on October 15, 2018.
Walnut Woods State Park - Polk County
- Campground is open for the 2018 recreation season. No shower facilities at Walnut Woods State Park. Modern restrooms, water hydrants, and dump station are open for the 2018 season. Posted 4/25/18
Wildcat Den State Park - Muscatine County
- The Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) will pass through Wildcat Den State Park on Saturday July 28th 2018. This event draws 10,000 bicyclists and spectators. Visitors should be aware that the park could see an increase in visitation on this date. Traffic getting to the park could also be congested. Campers wishing to camp at the park must reserve a campsite or register as a first-come, first-serve camper and pay the appropriate fees. All camping rules and regulations apply including a limit of six people per campsite and one camping unit per campsite or a maximum of two tents per campsite. If you have any questions regarding camping or the park, please call park staff at 563-263-4337. For more information about RAGBRAI, please visit RAGBRAI.com
Wilson Island State Recreation Area - Pottawattamie County
- Starting on November 1, 2017 through August of 2018 park visitors coming from Interstate 29 will not be able to access the park from the Loveland exit due to replacement of a bridge on DeSoto Avenue. Instead exit at Missouri Valley (Highway 30). Head west 1 mile and turn left onto Italy Avenue. Go south four miles. Turn right (west) and travel four miles on DeSoto Avenue to reach Wilson Island. Access to the park will be gravel only. This alert will be removed once the construction has been completed. (Updated 6-20-2018)
- Wilson Island will close on Friday June 22, 2018 at 12:00 pm due to projected flooding from the Missouri River. The park will reopen when conditions allow. For further information call the park office at 712-642-2069. Updated 6-20-2018