Iowa is kicking off summer with Great Outdoors Month this June. Iowa’s parks, forests and wildlife areas attract millions of visitors each year for biking, swimming, hiking, paddling, fishing, hunting, boating, bird watching and camping.
Iowa’s state parks expect to host more than 900,000 overnight stays and nearly 15 million day visits this year. Together, 19 of Iowa’s state parks have a more than 90 family cabins, multifamily cabins, camping cabins and yurts, as well as traditional tent and RV sites.
You can reserve a spot at www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks-Rec-Areas/Reservation-System. Parks also maintain 25 to 50 percent of their sites for walk-up camping.
Make the best of your trip to our state parks by:
- Checking for alerts and closures at www.iowadnr.gov/parkclosures, as severe weather can impact trails and park facilities.
- Coming prepared with your bug spray, sunscreen and first aid kit.
- Using firewood obtained within the county where it will be burned. This prevents the spread of forest pests like the Emerald Ash Borer.
For more information about all of Iowa’s state parks and recreation activities throughout the state, go to www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks-Rec-Areas/Iowas-State-Parks.