Physical Location
Location Address
811 146th Avenue
Knoxville, IA 50138
Areas Served
Phone(s)
Park Alerts & Notices
For current closures or important information please visit, Park Alerts and Notices.
About the Park
Elk Rock State Park boasts more than 50,000 acres of public land available for a variety of recreational activities. The park is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest body of water, and offers ample opportunity for boating and fishing.
Elk Rock is named for its unusual rock formation located near the south side of the river, and was once home to Native Americans from the Archaic Culture. The park is a popular spot for equestrians, with trails and unique amenities available at the equestrian campground.
Plan Your Visit
- Hike through woodland habitats and remnants of prairie along the park’s 13-mile multi-use trail system. Trails radiate from the equestrian campground and provide ample opportunity for horseback riding, mountain biking and cross country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. A one-mile, all-weather trail provides convenient access from the campground to the back area of the park.
- Boat or fish in the waters of Lake Red Rock. Two boat ramps provide easy access to the lake and are located near the main entrance and park office. Anglers can also enjoy fishing for a variety of species at the lake, including bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish and more.
- Camp in one of two campgrounds at Elk Rock. The equestrian campground contains both electric and non electric sites, a shower building, horse stalls, hitching rails and a riding arena. The non equestrian campground features both electric and non electric sites, a modern shower building and dump station. One-fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and advanced reservations can be made online through the online reservation system for Elk Rock State Park.
- Reserve the open shelter for a family meal during your visit. The shelter is located one mile north of the main park entrance on Highway 14. Advanced reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Elk Rock State Park.
Concessions
Firewood sales are available May 1 through September 30 from sunrise to sunset each day using a self-serve operation.
After Hours Fishing
Open to fishing activity between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 4 a.m. in addition to normal park hours. All fishing must be done from the bank in the areas designated for each lake or river. Vessels are not permitted on the lakes after 10:30 p.m. Parking is allowed in specially marked lots only.
The Teeter Creek boat ramp area just east of State Highway 14, access to which is the first road to the left upon entering the park.
Amenities at a Glance
- Horseback riding
- Playground
- Boat ramps (2)
- Boat dock
- Shelters
- Modern restroom
- Shower building
- Electric, equestrian campsites
- Non electric, equestrian campsites
- Buddy, equestrian campsites
- Electric campsites
- Non electric campsites
- Youth group-only campsites
- Dump station