Alerts and Closures

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State Park Alerts - Closures and Important Information
Ambrose A. Call State Park - Kossuth County
  • As of Thursday, November 7, 2019 the gates to the park are closed for the winter. The road and campground continue to be open to all no-motorized use. (Posted 11-13-2019)
  • Effective 10-30-2019 the water has been turned off for the season. Electricity will remain on through the winter. (Posted 11-6-2019)
Backbone State Park - Delaware County
  • WATER IS CURRENTLY SHUT OFF AT ALL CAMPGROUNDS FOR SEASON: Water is currently shut off to the campgrounds at Backbone State Park for the season. The sewer dump station is also closed for the season.
  • Backbone Gates are Closed for Winter: The East, West, and North Gates are closed. Road conditions are no longer safe. Gates will remain closed until spring.
  • Cabin Closure: All 16 cabins at Backbone State Park are in need of exterior restoration. The cabins will be closed from November 11 - May 31, 2020 and July 10 - October 31 2020. The restoration techniques required, which include large equipment and potentially hazardous materials, will not allow people to be in the cabins until the work is completed. If the project is finished early, the cabins will be re-opened for reservations. (Updated July 26, 2019)
Bellevue State Park - Jackson County
  • Shower house, modern restrooms and water at Bellevue State Park are shut off for the season, Camping is still open with pit latrines available for use.
Big Creek State Park - Polk County
  • While Big Creek remains open to visitors, flush facilities have been closed for the season. Restroom facilities are available through pit latrines around the park and at boat ramps. Users are advised to use caution when entering the winter season as roadways may not be maintained.
  • All modern restrooms have been winterized for the season as well as the fish cleaning station.
Black Hawk State Park - Sac County
  • Black Hawk Cabin is closed for maintenance
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Webster County
  • Restroom and shower buildings in the park will be closed for the season October 15, 2019 and will reopen mid-April. Camping remains available in the off-season with pit vault toilets in each of the 3 campgrounds; water hydrants and electricity also remain on. For camping during the winter months please contact the park office in advance for information on site accessibility.
Cedar Rock - Buchanan County
  • The Frank Lloyd Wright designed Walter Estate is CLOSED for the season. Tours of the Walter Estate will resume May 20, 2020. Trails are open year-round. If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation for the 2020 tour season, please call the park office at 319-934-3572 or email cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.gov.
Elk Rock State Park - Marion County
  • As of Monday October 21st 2019 all modern restrooms and shower buildings will be closed for the season. The campsite electricity and water hydrants will remain on year round. Portable toilets are provided. The buildings will be reopened in mid-April 2020. (Posted 9/30/2019)
Fairport State Recreation Area - Muscatine County
  • Campsites 1-27 are available on a first-come, first-serve, walk-in basis. A pit latrine, located in the north-west corner of the campground, is available for winter use. The modern restroom/shower building and RV dump station at Fairport Recreation Area are CLOSED for the season and water hydrants are disconnected. Electricity will remain on. These facilities will re-open around May 1st, 2020. Campsites 28-42 are closed until further notice. If you have any questions, please call the park office at 563-263-4337. (POSTED 10/30/2019)
Geode State Park - Henry County
  • Reservations for Geode S.P. campground are not being taken for 2020 season due to work being done on water lines for water pressure issues . For the time being the campground will be partially open, but campsites will be available on a first come, first served basis until the issue has been resolved. For more information or questions please call the park office at (319)392-4601
  • The road to shelter #1 area will be closed due to snowfall and slippery conditions . It will be re-opened when conditions allow
  • A portion of Beach Road from the turn off at Lake Road will be closed until further notice due to Lake Renovation and construction traffic. For parking and trail access please consider one of the parking areas located at various picnic areas around the lake. The trail is accessible by parking lots at Shelter 1, 2 &, 4 as well as Cedar Creek picnic area and the main boat ramp area. For questions please call the park office at (319)392-4601
  • Restroom and shower facilities have been closed for the season in the campground. For off season use there is a pit toilet located in the middle of the campground and one hydrant is left on for use at the campground entrance. Electricity at the sites is left on year round. For questions please contact the park office at (319)392-4601
  • Water has been turned off for the season. There is one hydrant left on year round at the entrance of the campground. Pit toilets are available at the center of the campground. Camping is permitted year round and electricity is left on during the winter months.
George Wyth State Park - Black Hawk County
  • George Wyth campground is closed for the season and water is shut off. (posted 12-3-19)
  • Campground Closure: Due to the possibility of spring flooding there is a closure in place on all reservable campsites from April 1 - May 14, 2020.  Walk-ins will be allowed if the park is open.  The closure and this bulletin will be removed once the effects of spring flooding are determined.  (Posted January 1, 2020)  
  • The Cedar Valley Lakes trail in George Wyth from Krieg's Crossing by Pfeiffer park to the triangle east of the George Wyth Lodge will be closed indefinitely due to the washouts and crumbling of the trail from recent flooding and rains.
Green Valley State Park - Union County
  • Modern restroom/shower buildings will be closed as of 10/21/19 and will reopen near 4/15/20. Water hydrants have been shut off throughout the park. Electricity will still be available throughout the campground. A pit latrine will remain open at the North end of the campground. (Posted 10/23/2019) (Updated 1/2/2020)
Honey Creek State Park - Appanoose County
  • Cabin 1 is closed for maintenance issue until further notice
Lacey Keosauqua State Park - Van Buren County
  • The shower building has been closed for the season. The campground is still open for camping with electricity on and water available from hydrants only. Restroom facilities available in campground pit latrine or heated modern restroom available down the road a short distance at the park office. POSTED 11/01/2019
Lake Ahquabi State Park - Warren County
  • Shower buildings will close October 15th, 2019 for the season. Frost free hydrants and dump stations will remain open throughout the off-season.
Lake Anita State Park - Cass County
  • Winter 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.
Lake Darling State Park - Washington County
  • As of October 28th, 2019 the campground shower buildings have been closed for the winter. Campground electricity, water hydrants, and sewer dump stations remain available. There are two pit latrines available for use - one near the camping cabins and one near the campground boat ramp. Anticipated re-opening date will be April 15th, 2019. (Posted 10-28-19)
Lake Keomah State Park - Mahaska County
  • Shower building will close for the season October 1, 2019 and will remain closed until the spring of 2020
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. (Updated July 2, 2018)
Lake of Three Fires State Park - Taylor County
  • Facilities: The modern restrooms/showers at Lake of Three Fires State Park are closed as of October 31st, 2019 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 10-31-19)
Lake Wapello State Park - Davis County
  • Showerhouse is closed for the season. Posted 10/29/2019.
Ledges State Park - Boone County
  • The Canyon Drive at Ledges State Park is currently closed to vehicle traffic due to snow and freezing temperatures. In the meantime visitors are welcome to hike into the Canyon on any of the trails, or along the closed roadway itself. The campground, both open shelters, many other parking lots and trails do remain open and accessible by vehicle. For more information, please contact the park office at 515-432-1852. (updated (1/6/2020)
  • The modern restrooms/showers throughout Ledges State Park are closed for the winter season. A pit vault latrine is open and available year round just west of the campground entrance. Water is off to all park hydrants, with the exception of the one at the campground entrance. Electricity to those campsites equipped with hook-ups will remain on throughout the winter. (updated 1/6/2020)
Lewis and Clark State Park - Monona County
  • Campsite Closure: Campsites 1 - 40 will not be accepting reservations or walk-ins from April 1 - July 31, 2020. If this changes, the closure and this bulletin will be removed. ((Posted January 1, 2020)
Maquoketa Caves State Park - Jackson County
  • 2020 Campground Updates: The campground will be 100% reservable with the exception of campsite #1 and campsite host #6. There will also be a one day reservation window in effect rather than a two day reservation window. (Posted January 1, 2020)
  • A small section of the boardwalk along the ridge trail is closed due to tree damage. Please do not enter the closed section of the boardwalk.(posted 7/2/19)
  • The Caves in the park are closed for Bat Hibernation and they will reopen on April 15 2020. The modern restrooms are also closed for the season. Pit latrines are available in the Youth camp area. Trails remain open. (Posted October 15, 2019)
Marble Beach State Recreation Area - Dickinson County
  • Campground Renovation: The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through May 31, 2020. The campground will be opened earlier if conditions allow. (UPDATED September 2019)
Nine Eagles State Park - Decatur County
  • On October 25, 2019 the modern facilities were closed for the winter season. The water hydrants are on and located throughout the campground. There are portable toilets available in the campground.
  • On October 25, 2019 the modern facilities were closed for the winter season. The water hydrants are on and located throughout the campground. There are portable toilets available in the campground.
Palisades-Kepler State Park - Linn County
  • The main road past the lodge is now closed for the winter season. Visitors may park at the lodge parking lot and walk into the park from there. All water systems are now closed in the park and the lodge and cabins are closed until spring. The campground electricity will be turned off after Thanksgiving weekend and the road will close when the first substantial snow is forecasted. Hike-in camping is available after that time.
Pikes Peak State Park - Clayton County
  • The water is turned off and the modern restrooms and shower facilities are closed. There is no water available at the park. The outhouse at the south end of the campground is open year-round. The electricity at the campsites stays on year-round. (Posted 10/30/19)
Pilot Knob State Park - Hancock County
  • As of Wednesday, November 6, 2019 the gates to the park through road are closed. The gates will be opened for snowmobile use at a later date. The west bound lane is designated as a cross country ski trail. The east bound lane is designated a multipurpose trail for the winter. The road continues to be open to all no-motorized use. (Posted 11-13-2019)
  • As of Monday, October 21, 2019 the water has been turned off for the season. As a result the shower building is closed until spring. Electricity will remain on through the winter and camping is available. Electric sites are $11/night and nonelectric sites are $6/night. (Updated 10-21-2019)
Pine Lake State Park - Hardin County
  • The cabins at Pine Lake State Park will be closed from January 1 - January 10, 2020 and April 1 - December 31, 2020 for a renovation project. Questions regarding this closure can be directed to the park office at 641-858-5832 or pine_lake@dnr.iowa.gov. (Updated 12/4/19)
  • SHELTER AND CAMPGROUND CLOSURE: The circle point picnic shelter and the campground at Pine Lake State Park will be closed beginning April 1, 2020 - October 31, 2020. Please contact the park office at 641-858-5832 or pine_lake@dnr.iowa.gov with questions. (Updated 8/2/2019)
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area - Linn County
  • Winter Closure: Restrooms and shower buildings closed for the winter, effective October 18, 2019. Electric to campsites to be shut off with first measurable snowfall. Look for facilities to be available mid to late April 2020 weather depending. (Posted 10/21/19)
  • 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
  • Modern restroom and shower facility is closed for the season. Starting in November, majority of electric sites in the East campground will be turned off for the season. As of January 1, 2020 all water to campground will be turned off. (Added 12/31/19)
Red Haw State Park - Lucas County
  • The campground shower building and flush toilets are closed for the season and will remain closed until mid-April, 2020. Frost free hydrants remain available. (Posted 10/15/19)
Shimek State Forest - Van Buren County
  • Effective, December 24, 2019, The Wet Weather Trail is OPEN. The equestrian trails have been CLOSED due to recent thawing. This bulletin will be removed when the trails have been re-opened. (Posted 12-24-2019 9AM)
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 1/10/20).
Stone State Park - Woodbury County
  • The park roads have been closed for the winter season. Parking is available at the equestrian lot, near the park office and at the west park entrance. The park is open to non-vehicular traffic. Please call 712-255-4698 for information. Posted: 12/27/19
  • The modern restrooms and shower building have been closed for the winter season. The water has been shut off but the electricity will remain available.
Union Grove State Park - Tama County
  • Winter season. While cabins and full hook up campsites remain available, all other flush facilities have been closed for the season. Approximate reopen date will be April.15
Volga River State Recreation Area - Fayette County
  • Effective November 13th, 2019 the equestrian trails will be closed till the spring of 2020. They will remain closed until they have time to dry out from the spring thawing and melting snow.
  • Water is currently shut off for the season at the Lakeview and Albany campgrounds to include, hydrants the boat-ramp restroom and dump station. We anticipate turning the water back on by mid April, 2020.
Walnut Woods State Park - Polk County
  • Winter Closure: The modern restrooms and dump station at Walnut Woods are closed for the season. Water hydrants at full hookup sites will remain on until Nov. 11, 2019. Please disconnect water hoses when temperatures are below freezing. Electricity at all sites will remain on. A portable restroom is located near the campground restroom building, and vault restroom facilities will remain open in adjacent picnic areas. Modern restrooms and dump station will reopen approx. April 15, 2020(Posted 10/16/19)
Wapsipinicon State Park - Jones County
  • The main park road between the playground and the campground is now closed for the winter season. All water systems have been turned off except for the Rotary Lodge. 30 amp electricity will remain on in the campground but the area is not routinely plowed out for snow removal.
Waubonsie State Park - Fremont County
  • Camp Amenities Closing on October 15 - Camping Still Available Due to impending cold weather and an urgent need for repairs, the Modern Shower Facility in the Waubonsie Campground will be closed on Tuesday, October 15th, reopening in April of 2020. The Campground Water Hydrants will remain on. The dump station be turned off. Electricity at RV sites will still be available, and off-season camping and cabin rentals are welcome
Wildcat Den State Park - Muscatine County
  • The Pine Creek Grist Mill and Melpine Schoolhouse are CLOSED for the season. The modern restroom building, located near Pine Creek Grist Mill, is CLOSED for the season. The water hydrants in the primitive campground, and lower picnic area are disconnected. These facilities will re-open around May 1st, 2020. Pit latrines, located in the upper picnic area and primitive campground, will remain OPEN throughout the winter months. Trails are open year-round. If you have any questions, please call the park office at 563-263-4337 (POSTED 10/30/2019).
Wilson Island State Recreation Area - Pottawattamie County
  • Wilson Island is closed due to flooding of the Missouri River in March, June and September of 2019. This affects all uses of the park including camping, fishing, hiking, mushroom hunting, Missouri river access and biking. A date for reopening has not been set. Damage varies, but considerable silt and debris cover the shelter area and east campground. Please call the park office for additional information. 712-642-2069 Updated 1/22/2020
Yellow River State Forest - Allamakee County
  • POSTED 11/18/2019) The equestrian trails are closed due to weather conditions. They will reopen in the spring of 2020. The Firetower cabin is closed for the the season and will reopen on April 1, 2020. You may make reservations for the cabin one year in advance. Creekside equestrian campground remains closed until further notice. The remaining campgrounds and hiking trails are open and water is available. If you have any further questions please call (563) 586-2254. Thank you.
  • (POSTED 11/18/19) The equestrian trails are closed due to weather conditions. They will reopen in spring of 2020. The Firetower cabin is now closed and will reopen on April 1, 2020. You may make reservations for the cabin one year in advance. Creekside equestrian campground is still closed and will reopen in May of 2020. All other campgrounds and hiking trails are open and and water is available. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact the office at (563) 586-2254. Thank you.