Lake of Three Fires State Park

About the Park

A hotspot for equestrian trail riding and camping, Lake of Three Fires State Park in southwest Iowa provides diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. The park’s 85-acre lake is a local destination for boaters and anglers, and several open picnic areas are available near the lake. 

Lake of Three Fires was dedicated in 1935 and is named after a group of Native Americans from the Potawatomi tribe who once inhabited the area known as the “Fire Nation.”

Plan Your Visit

• Hike more than 10 miles of multi-use trails, winding around the lake, through wetlands and prairie. Wildlife is often spotted on the trails, which is a combination of grass, rock and dirt surfaces. Horseback riding and snowmobiling are also popular activities for exploring the park’s trails.
• Boat or Fish at Lake of Three Fires, or swim at the sandy beach area. Boats may be operated at “no-wake” speeds and two boat ramps provide convenient access to the water. Fishing jetties provide shoreline access, and anglers can fish for a variety of species including bluegill and bullhead. Horseshoe pitching areas are located at the beach near the lodge.
• Hunt at the park’s public hunting area near the north and south borders. Nearly 400 acres of hunting area surround the park, although hunting is not allowed within park borders.
• Stay overnight in one of six studio cabins or at the two modern campgrounds. Cabins offer heating and air conditioning, a microwave, refrigerator and cook-top stove; visitors must provide their own bedding, towels and cooking supplies. Both campgrounds contain restrooms, showers and a trailer dump station. An equestrian campground has non-electric and electric sites, restrooms, corrals, hitching posts and holding pens. One-fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis or advance campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Lake of Three Fires State Park.
• Reserve one of two open shelters for an outdoor gathering during your visit. One of the shelters contains electricity and water, and a renovated day-use lodge near the beach can be reserved for large gatherings. Both shelters and the day-use lodge can be reserved through the online reservation system for Lake of Three Fires State Park.

Lodge Tour

Amenities at a Glance

• Hunting
• Horseshoe pitching areas
• Sand volleyball
• Playground
• Hiking trails
• Swimming beach
• Boat ramps (2)
• Fishing jetty
• Day-use lodge (1); ADA accessible
• Shelters
• Modern restroom
• Showers
• Family studio cabins
• Electric campsites
• Non-electric campsites
• Equestrian, electric campsites
• Equestrian, non-electric campsites
• Equestrian, buddy campsites
• Buddy campsites
• Youth group only campsites
• Dump station

Explore the Park 

• Lake of Three Fires State Park map and flyer
• Lake of Three Fires State Park campground map