Big Creek State Park

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Park Alerts & Notices

For current closures or important information please visit, Park Alerts and Notices.

Park Alerts & Notices

About the Park

Located near Saylorville Lake just 20 miles from Des Moines, Big Creek State Park is a family-friendly setting for picnicking and outdoor recreation. The centerpiece is Big Creek Lake, home of the largest beach in the state park system. 

The lake is also a popular fishing destination with boat and bike rentals available at the beach concessionaire. Take a day-trip to Big Creek State Park this season and enjoy everything Iowa outdoors has to offer.

Plan Your Visit

• Hike or bike along the paved, 27-mile Neil Smith Trail, which leads from the beach through the Saylorville Lake area, all the way to Des Moines. In the winter, cross country ski on a 3.5 mile trail on the disk golf course.
• Swim in Big Creek’s lake and soak up the sun on the beach during hot summer months. Boating is also a popular lake activity, with kayaks, paddle boards, pontoon boats and bikes available to rent at the beach concessionaire. Please contact the concessionaire at 515-984-6083 or bigcreekmarina.com for more information.
• Fish among the coves on Big Creek Lake, a hotspot for crappie, walleye and bluegill. Big Creek has five boat ramps, several fishing jetties, an accessible fishing pier and miles of shoreline.
• Reserve a picnic shelter for a leisurely meal during your trip to Big Creek. Picnic areas and 22 shelters are located around the lake along with a large wooden playground and a sports field for outdoor activities. Shelters can be reserved online through the online reservation system for Big Creek State Park.
• Disc golf at Big Creek’s 18-hole course, meandering through wooded areas and prairies along the east shore of the lake.

Concessions

Usually open in mid-April, weather dependent, closes mid-October; open 7 days a week.

• During full operation starting Memorial Day weekend open 8:00 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Friday through Sunday
• Holidays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Off-season hours are posted at the building or by calling 515-984-6083.
• Shelter, bicycle, and boat rentals based on availability.
• Boat rentals include 30 pontoons, 6 sailboats, 16 fishing boats, 11 canoes, 16 paddle boats, 20 kayaks, 20 stand-up paddle boards, and 4 electric boats.
• Information on rentals also available at www.bigcreekmarina.com.

Concession items include snack-type food service and short order food service, convenience store items (ice, etc.), souvenirs, bait (worms, minnows and leeches) and tackle sales, and hunting/fishing license sales. Winter concession operation includes ice fish shack rentals, bait and tackle sales, and food service.

Amenities at a Glance

• 18-hole disc golf course
• Hiking trails
• Playground
• Swimming beach
• Concessions
• Paddlesport rental
• Bicycle rental
• Boat rental
• Boat ramps
• Universal fishing pier
• Fishing jetty
• Fish cleaning station
• Shelters
• Modern restrooms

Explore the Park

• Big Creek State Park map and flyer

Know Before You Go

Beach Information

For current beach advisories please visit the beach monitoring dashboard or call the monitoring hotline at 515-725-3434.
The dashboard and hotline are updated on Fridays during the monitoring season.

Beach monitoring dashboard