Physical Location
Location Address
680 Road M47
Harlan, IA 51537
Areas Served
Phone(s)
Park Alerts & Notices
For current closures or important information please visit, Park Alerts and Notices.
About the Park
Prairie Rose State Park is a 422-acre park nestled in the scenic hills of southwest Iowa. The park is named after the small town, Village of Prairie Rose, which was once located near the park’s current location.
The lake is the focal point of the park, and visitors enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities from hiking to boating, along with ice fishing in the winter.
Plan Your Visit
- Hike seven miles of multi-purpose trails that wind through the park, or venture along the interpretive trail, which highlights the park’s plant and wildlife. All trails within the park are open for hiking and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter.
- Boat at the park’s 218-acre lake or swim at Prairie Rose beach. The lake is a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Any size boat motors may be operated at “no wake” speeds and two modern boat ramps provide easy access to the lake.
- Fish for bass, channel catfish, bluegill and crappie at Prairie Rose. Eight fishing jetties provide shoreline access to the water and two fish cleaning docks are also located near the lake. The park also provides an overnight fishing area, which is only available in a few of Iowa’s state parks.
- Stay overnight in one of two camping cabins or at the East and West campgrounds at Prairie Rose. Each cabin is equipped with heating and air conditioning, a microwave, a small refrigerator, table and chairs, two twin-over-full-sized bunk beds, a picnic table, grill and fire ring. The East Campground contains electric and full hook-up sites with a modern shower and restroom. The West Campground contains electric and non-electric sites. One-fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and advance cabin and campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Prairie Rose State Park.
- Reserve one of two open shelters for an outdoor gathering during your visit. Both shelters contain electrical outlets and can be reserved through the online reservation system for Prairie Rose State Park. Open picnic areas with excellent views of the lake are available throughout the park.
Concessions
From May 1 through October 15, firewood sales are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, Sundays and all major holidays.
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 west side of the embankment of the causeway across the southeast arm of the lake including the shoreline west of the parking area located off County Road M47 and just north of the entrance leading toward the park office.
Amenities at a Glance
- Sand volleyball court
- Interpretive trail
- Hiking trails
- Playgrounds (2)
- Basketball court
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramps (2)
- Fishing jetties (8)
- Fish cleaning station (2)
- Overnight fishing
- Wet storage slips (12)
- Shelters
- Modern restrooms
- Showers
- Camping cabins
- Electric campsites
- Full hook-up campsites
- Non-electric campsites
- Tent-only campsites
- Youth group-only campsites
- Dump station
- Firewood sales
- Horseshoe pits