Park Events

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Upcoming and Annual Events

Iowa’s state parks are continually adding new programs and events. Check both the events calendar at the right and our special events calendar for activities that may interest you and your family or friends.

Annual park events to check out include:

Fort Atkinson Rendezvous Days – Last full weekend in September
Rendezvous Days, hosted at Ft. Atkinson Preserve every year since 1977, is a re-enactment of what the fort might have been like in the 1840s. Open to the public with events like primitive bow shooting and 1840s kids games, all ages are welcome. Learn more about weekend-long event hosted by the DNR, Fort Atkinson State Park Friend's Group, and local community on the City of Ft. Atkinson's website City of Ft. Atkinson's website.

Statewide Volunteer Day - Varying Saturday in September
Give back to your local state park as part of a larger effort - Iowa Parks' Statewide Volunteer Day. Held every year in September at participating parks around the state, this event often correlates with "National Public Lands Day". This is a great opportunity to learn more about your favorite Iowa state park, enjoy the outdoors, and make new community connections. You never know who you might meet or what you might discover!

Halloween Celebrations - On or around Halloween each year, specific date is park dependent
Many campgrounds in the state park system host Halloween celebrations, so check the events calendar to see which parks are participating each year! While every campground creates their own unique events, expect to find spook-tacular costumes, decorated campers, and yummy treats.

First Day Hikes – January 1
Kick off the New Year will a little outdoor exercise on a First Day Hike. More than two dozen Iowa state parks annually host this event along with hundreds more state parks across the country.

Summer Kickoff – Join Iowa state parks forests in early June as they kick off summer with family friendly events throughout the state park system. Learn more on the Summer Kick-Off event page.

Christmas in July – check the events calendar and individual parks for exact dates/times.
Campers in a number of Iowa state parks decorate their campsites and celebrate Christmas in July. Join in the fun or just visit these parks for a look at how creative our visitors can be.

Upcoming Park Events

Swimming Registration at State Parks

People wishing to swim outside the designated swimming beach areas at Iowa state parks, for example to train for a triathlon, must obtain special permission by completing a registration form and communicating with local park staff.

For information and guidelines:
Swimming Registration Form

Special Events Permits

State parks are popular places for people and groups to hold a wide variety of events (weddings, scout jamborees, festivals, rendezvous, triathlons, fun runs, etc.) A special event permit is required when the event is an organized race, tournament, exhibition, demonstration or other planned event in which a fee is charged, prizes are awarded or competition occurs between participants. A special event permit is also required for any other planned event that, due its nature, potential or actual size, or length, would likely adversely impact the use of the area by the public. NOTE: Special events that take place solely within a reservable day-use lodge or shelter structure, do not require a special event permit. The person or group holding the event must reserve and pay the appropriate rental fee for the facility that will be used.

At least 30 days before the scheduled date of a special event, an application must be submitted to the DNR using the Special Events web-based application found at https://programs.iowadnr.gov/specialevents/.

For more information, contact your local State Park office, or the State Parks Special Events Program Manager or call 515-360-3682.