Skip to main content
Official State of Iowa Website
Agencies A-Z Programs & Services
Back to home page
Department of Natural Resources

Main navigation

  • Programs & Services
    • Aquatic Invasive Species
    • Beach Monitoring
    • Beginning Farming & Habitat Leases
    • Business Regulatory Assistance
    • Conservation Law Enforcement
    • Disaster Assistance
    • Education & Learning
    • Engineering
    • Forestry Resources
    • Forms & Applications
    • GIS Analysis & Support
    • Geology & Oil Regulation
    • Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH)
    • Iowa's Wildlife
    • Lake Restoration
    • Natural Resources License Plates
    • Prairie Resource Center
    • Resource Enhancement & Protection (REAP)
    • Section 401 Water Quality Certification
    • Vehicle Registration & Bonding
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Wildlife Diversity Program
    • Wildlife Landowner Assistance
    • Wildlife Rehabilitation
  • Places to Go
    • Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs
    • State Forests
    • State Parks
    • State Preserves
    • Shooting Ranges
    • OHV Parks & Riding Areas
    • Water Trails
    • Wildlife Management Areas
  • Things to Do
    • Bird Watching
    • Boating
    • Equestrian
    • Iowa’s Accessible Outdoors
    • Camping
    • Paddling & River Recreation
    • Create a Backyard Habitat
    • Fishing
    • Geocaching
    • Hiking & Biking
    • Hunting & Trapping
    • Off-Highway Vehicles
    • Shooting Sports
    • Snowmobiling
    • Swimming
  • Environmental Protection
    • Air Quality
    • Animal Feeding Operations
    • Environmental Field Offices
    • Household Hazardous Materials
    • Land Quality
    • Spills & Emergency Planning
    • Water Quality
  • About
    • Go Outdoors Iowa
    • Administrative Rules
    • Boards & Commissions
    • Contact
    • Donations
    • Employment
    • Enforcement Actions
    • Environmental Field Offices
    • Fisheries Management
    • Fisheries Research Teams
    • Forestry Services
    • Forms & Applications
    • Grants & Funding
    • Hatcheries
    • Land Donors Reception
    • License Vendors
    • Mission, Vision & Leadership
    • Nondiscrimination, Accessibility & Language Access
    • RFP & Bid Lettings
  • Newsroom
    • Event Calendars
    • News Releases
    • Social Media
    • Iowa Outdoors Magazine
    • Take It Outside, Blog
Agencies A-Z Online Services

Breadcrumbs

  1. Home
  2. Places To Go
  3. State Parks
  4. All Parks
State Parks, Forests & Recreation Areas

Ambrose A. Call State Park

Physical Location

Location Address

2007 Call Park Dr
Algona, IA 50511

Areas Served

Kossuth

Phone(s)

641-581-4835

Email

AA_Call@dnr.iowa.gov
Website
Make a Reservation
Crowdriff ID
DNR Logo, white text on green circle.
Check before you go

Park Alerts & Notices

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

Park Alerts & Notices

About the Park

Ambrose A. Call State Park is a 138-acre oasis of rugged hills and virgin timber in an area of gently rolling farmland. The park is located in northern Iowa near the east fork of the Des Moines River in Kossuth County. A centerpiece of this rustic park is a log-cabin-style lodge built in 1928 that is a perfect setting for family reunions and group get-togethers. 

Ambrose Call and his brother, Asa, were early settlers in the area who carved their name, the first in Kossuth County, on a walnut tree at the present site of the park. The brothers spent their first night in Kossuth County on July 9, 1854. The next day, while Asa went for his wife and supplies, Ambrose and a traveling companion, William Smith, began work on a cabin in what is now the state park.

Plan Your Visit

  • Camp in one of the electric or non-electric campsites. The campground does not have a shower building or modern restroom, but a pit toilet is available. Camping reservations are first-come first-served by self-registration.
  • Gather with friends and family in the 1920s-era lodge, the perfect setting for a family reunion or event. It's recommended to call the Park Manager at Pilot Knob State Park at (641) 581-4835 prior to reserving to learn more about lodge amenities. The day-use lodge is available from May 1 - September 30 each year, and reservations can be made on the Ambrose A Call State Park reservation site.
  • Hike on two miles of secluded and heavily wooded park trails. The trails wind through the forest, down a ravine and along a winding creek.
  • Visit the authentic log cabin constructed of elm logs, which resembles typical cabins built by original settlers of the area, and was built in the location of the first cabin in Kossuth County.
  • Disc golf at Ambrose A. Call’s 18-hole course that winds through wooded areas and prairies.

Amenities at a Glance

  • Camping – electric
  • Camping – non-electric
  • Non-modern campground
  • Frisbee Disc Golf
  • Picnic Area
  • Pit Toilet
  • Restroom
  • Trails
  • Horseshoe Pits

Explore the Park

  • Ambrose A. Call Campground map
  • Ambrose A. Call map and flyer
Volunteer

Volunteer at Iowa State Parks!

Iowa state parks and forests rely on individual and group volunteers to help keep them thriving and welcoming places to visit. Learn more about how you can help today!

Become a volunteer

Google Map

Get Directions

Physical Location

Location Address

2007 Call Park Dr
Algona, IA 50511

Areas Served

Kossuth

Phone(s)

641-581-4835

Email

AA_Call@dnr.iowa.gov
Website
Make a Reservation

Secondary Navigation Menu

  • All Parks

Department of Natural Resources

Footer Social Media Menu

  • Opens in a new window.
  • Opens in a new window.
  • Opens in a new window.
  • Opens in a new window.
  • Opens in a new window.
  • Opens in a new window.

Iowa DNR Customer Service

6200 Park Avenue
Suite 200
Des Moines, IA 50321

Phone

515-725-8200

How can we help?

Share feedback with us

Footer Menu

Footer

  • Contact DNR
  • Newsroom
  • Online Services
Back to home page

Contact Menu

  • Send Feedback

© 2025 State of Iowa - Read our accessibility, data, and privacy policies.