CHARITON – The campground at Red Haw State Park will open starting July 1, 2025 after being closed for three years due to extensive tornado damage.
According to Chad Kelchen, district supervisor for the DNR Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau, the renovated campground provides an improved layout, upgraded utilities and pull-through sites with lake views.
“We are excited for campers to visit Red Haw and enjoy this beautiful hidden gem,” said Kelchen. “We greatly appreciate the local community support we received over the last three years as we worked to clean up Red Haw, and we look forward to welcoming campers to enjoy the renovated campground.”
On March 5, 2022 an EF3 tornado crossed through the middle of Red Haw State Park, destroying several buildings, downing dozens of trees and damaging campground infrastructure.
Improvements include larger sites with pull-through capabilities; 41 electrical sites with 50-amp service; a newly renovated beach shelter; improved accessibility; a new fish cleaning dock and new kayak launch. Additionally, 100 percent of campsites will be reservable through the online system, offering the ability to make same-day reservations.
Campers can start making reservations for Red Haw State Park at 9:00 a.m. on June 30, with the same-day window closing at 10:00 p.m. each day.
Reservations can be made at https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/, or by calling (877) 427-2757. The “iron ranger,” where paper reservations were inserted at the campground kiosk, has been removed. Campers driving to the park looking for walk-in reservations will be directed to the online site.