Iowa’s Accessible Outdoors

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing accessible outdoor opportunities and amenities in state parks, forests and other state recreational areas. 

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Explore Accessible Experiences

From adaptive equipment to accessible fishing piers, hiking trails, picnic shelters and campsites, Iowa’s state parks and forests provide many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. 

Because conditions in nature can change quickly or be unique to a park, local park staff are the best source of information. If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact the park directly and staff will be happy to help.

Please note: This list is not comprehensive of all accessible experiences in Iowa state parks and forests. We will continue to expand the opportunities highlighted here as we review amenities, so check back often.

Fishing

Accessible fishing piers feature accessible parking with paved or compacted gravel routes to the pier. We will note which piers have accessible restrooms nearby.

• Big Creek State Park: The accessible fishing pier at Big Creek is on the east side of the Lake, just off NW Big Creek Drive. An accessible vault toilet and drinking fountain are adjacent to the parking lot. Additionally, a 250-foot-long concrete path provides shoreline access for accessible fishing opportunities.
• Backbone State Park: A paved path with bump outs provides access to the trout stream. Signage marks the parking area on Hwy 410 inside the park, which is the road that leads to Backbone’s north entrance. There are no accessible restrooms in that part of the park; the closest accessible bathrooms are available by driving to the southeast entrance and then to either the restroom at the south campground or the beach restroom building.
• Brushy Creek State Recreation Area: An accessible fishing pier is located on the west side of Brushy Creek Lake off of Fish Pier Rd, just south of the North campground. There is an accessible restroom at the parking lot, and an open shelter nearby.
• Lake Darling State Park: An accessible fishing pier is located near the Cottonwood Shelter. A parking area provides access to the pier, shelter and boat ramp area. In addition to the pier, a concrete path connects several paved fishing platforms in the vicinity. An accessible vault toilet is in the parking lot near the shelter. Follow signs in park to shelter and boat ramp area.
• Lake Anita State Park: An accessible fishing pier is located just south of the beach, with a paved path from the parking area. Accessible restrooms are about .2 miles away at the boat ramp. Follow the signs in the park to the beach and pier.

Lake Anita State Park accessible fishing pier

Overnight Stays

Overnight stays include campgrounds, camping cabins/yurts and modern cabins. Campgrounds highlighted will feature oversized, paved sites with accessible tables and utilities. Accessible restrooms and showers are located in the campground. Modern cabins will have accessible restrooms inside the cabin. These facilities can be reserved and viewed online with maps and further details on amenities.

• Lake Ahquabi State Park: The recently renovated campground has accessible electric and full hook-up sites with accessible showers and restrooms.
• Lake Darling State Park: Cabins 6 - 11 are accessible. Each modern cabin has its own private restroom.
• Lake Manawa State Park: The new campground has accessible sites with restrooms and showers.
• McIntosh Woods State Park: A ramp provides access to Yurt 1. An adjacent accessible restroom/shower building serves both yurts in the park.
• Pikes Peak State Park: The recently renovated campground features accessible electric and full hook-up sites with accessible showers and restrooms.

Pikes Peak State Park accessible campsite

Playgrounds

Highlighted play areas will have accessible parking with paved or gravel routes leading to the playground. Surfaces will be either poured-in-place, rubber tiles, or engineered wood fiber. Access to the elevated play structures may include ramped paths and/or transfer stations.

• Backbone State Park: The playground located near the beach and lodge is accessible. The closest restroom is the historical beach restroom building, which is accessible but does have a slightly narrow doorway (1.5 inches less than ADA specifications). A fully accessible restroom can be found at the south campground.
• Wapsipinicon State Park: An accessible playground is located off Lower Park Road next to Dutch Creek and the Playground Shelter. Accessible restrooms are adjacent to the playground area. Drive on Upper Park Road and follow signs.
• Red Haw State Park: An accessible playground is located near the entrance to the campground. Accessible restrooms are in the campground complex.
• Lake Manawa State Park: Constructed in 2018, Dream Playground is the largest accessible playground in the state park system, offering 18,000 square feet of fun for all ages and abilities. The playground is located on the south side of the lake near the beach. Follow park signs from South Shore Drive.

Lake Manawa State Park accessible playground

Picnic Areas

Accessible picnic spaces are open shelters that feature accessible parking, sidewalks, and table(s), along with accessible restrooms nearby. Most shelters require advance reservations, which can be made at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com.

• Brushy Creek State Recreation Area: A large accessible shelter overlooks the lake near the beach, and accessible cabanas and restrooms are available at the beach. The shelter is on the west side of the lake; follow 270th Street around the park to Beach Drive and then follow signs.
• Geode State Park: The Beach Shelter is accessible and features attached restrooms and a kitchenette/serving area. A large parking lot is connected to the shelter and other amenities by a concrete path. The beach complex is on the east side of the lake; follow signs from Racine Avenue or Salem Road.
• Viking Lake State Park: The Lower Picnic Shelter has attached restrooms and a kitchenette/serving area. The area offers connecting concrete paths, along with scenic views of the beach and lake. The shelter is on the west side of the park; take Viking Lake Road and follow the signs to the beach area.
• Volga River State Recreation Area: The accessible Meyer Shelter features nice views of Volga Lake. The area has connecting concrete paths to each amenity, including accessible restrooms and a fishing dock. Meyer Shelter is on the south side of the lake, reachable  from I Avenue.
• Big Creek State Park: Beach Shelters 1, 2, and 3 are accessible. Concrete paths provide access around the beach area, as well as connecting to accessible restrooms and the concession building. Follow signs to the beach on NW Big Creek Drive.

Big Creek State Park accessible picnic shelters

Trails

Trails listed here may not meet all ADA accessibility standards for accessible routes; however these trails are wider, smoother, and have more gentle grades that are free of stairs and other obstacles. Visitors will find these trails friendlier than other trails for strollers and mobility aids. Please remember that trail conditions can vary day-to-day due to weather and heavy usage; visitors with specific trail needs are encouraged to contact park staff for the most current trail conditions before arriving.

• George Wyth State Park: The Cedar Valley Lakes Trail is a scenic multi-use trail connecting communities in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area. The concrete trail has an accessible portion that is 1.5 miles long and 10 feet wide. The trailhead is located near the George Wyth Lodge, which has two accessible parking spots. To stay on the accessible portion, follow signs towards downtown Cedar Falls. For the first 20 feet leaving the parking lot, the trail slopes up to 8 percent, then flattens out. Please note, the closest accessible restroom is a vault toilet a short drive away at the Fisher Shelter.
  • Surface: Concrete. Length: 1.5 miles. Minimum Width: 10 feet. Typical Width: 10 feet, Max Running Slope 8%. Typical Running Slope: 2-5%. Typical Cross Slope: 0-2%.
• Lake Darling State Park: The Accessible Fishing Trail is an approximately 1.75-mile long paved trail following the south shoreline of Lake Darling between the campground boat ramp and the East Loop Road. The trail is 10' wide offering shade and lake views. The trail connects several popular attractions at the park including boat ramps, the fishing pier, Cottonwood Shelter, the concession building and the Lake Darling Lodge. Trailheads with accessible parking can be found at the campground boat ramp, Cottonwood Shelter, and off of East Loop Road. Accessible vault toilets are located at the campground boat ramp and near the Cottonwood Shelter. The steepest slope on the trail is between the campground boat ramp and Lake Darling Lodge where a short, 20-foot section has a slope reaching up to 11%. An up-and-down trail section behind the lodge has slopes up to 7 percent. The rest of the trail is relatively flat.
  • Surface: Concrete. Length: 1.75 miles. Minimum Width: 10 feet. Typical Width: 10 feet. Max Running Slope: 11%. Typical Running Slope: 2-5%. Typical Cross Slope: 0-2%.
• Green Valley State Park: The Green Valley Trail offers a 1-mile accessible section from the campground to the North Shelter. The concrete multi-use trail follows the shoreline of Green Valley Lake with scenic views and shady areas. The trailhead can be found at the campground fishing pier, which offers accessible parking. While mostly flat, a few 20-foot sections have slopes of 5 to 8 percent. Accessible restrooms can be found in the nearby campground, and an accessible vault toilet is about ⅓ of a mile on the trail near the main boat ramp. The trailhead and accessible parking are located on the south side of the campground at the accessible fishing pier.
  • Surface: Concrete. Length: 1 mile. Minimum Width: 32 inches. Typical Width: 8', Maximum Running Slope: 9%, Typical Running Slope: 5-8%, Typical Cross Slope: 2%, Restrooms are located in the campground and at the main boat ramp
• Ledges State Park: Lost Lake Trail is a shaded, crushed limestone path that leads to a small lake. The first 0.4 miles is accessible, giving an opportunity for an out-and-back hike of nearly 1 mile. With a typical width of 48 inches, the trail is mostly flat with a few gentle slopes; a short section has a slope of 4.9 percent. An accessible table at the end of the trail next to Lost Lake. Please note, the closest accessible restroom is a short drive away on Lower Ledges Road near the Carl “Fritz” Hennings Shelter. Lost Lake Trail can be found in the southwest corner of the park where Lower Ledges Drive and 255th Street intersect.
  • Surface: Crushed limestone. Length: .4 miles. Minimum Width: 48 inches. Typical Width: 48 inches. Max Running Slope: 4.9%. Typical Running Slope: 2-4%. Typical Cross Slope: 2-5%.

Accessible Lost Lake Trail at Ledges State Park

Scenic Views

Accessible scenic overlooks feature paved viewing platforms and wheelchair-friendly sidewalks.

Pikes Peak State Park: The main overlook of the Mississippi River at Pikes Peak State Park features one of the most stunning views in Iowa. Accessible routes are provided between the parking lot, concession and overlook. Accessible restrooms are nearby the concession building. Enter the park on Pikes Peak Road and follow signs. 

Bellevue State Park: The Dyas Unit Overlook at Bellevue State Park offers impressive views of the Mississippi River. The overlook features concrete paths and viewing area, and a wheelchair-accessible viewing scope. A vault restroom is nearby, but is not considered accessible due to a steep access route. Enter the Dyas Unit from the Great River Road and follow signs to the Overlook parking area, which is near the end of the road that travels through the park.

Accessible overlook at Bellevue State Park.

Need special accommodations?

Please contact the state park or forest prior to your visit for information and assistance.

Suggestions? If you have visited an Iowa state park or forest and have a suggestion for how to improve the experience for people with disabilities, we want to know! Please share your experience and how we can do better by completing this Suggestion Form.

Please remember, with any outdoor facility there is always some degree of physical risk. Because DNR facilities cover large areas, DNR employees aren't always close by. In fact, some of the trails, water accesses and campgrounds don't have any on-site staff at all. Make sure you know where to get help in case of an accident or medical emergency.