Alerts and Closures

Due to water levels at Saylorville, visitation and use at Big Creek is expected to be higher than usual.  Visitors can expect congestion at the beach, boat ramps and on the lake which will include limited parking availabilty.  Alternative areas to visit can include:  Rock Creek State Park in Jasper County, Lake Ahquabi State Park in Warrent County or Elk Rock State Park(along the Red Rock Resevoir in Knoxville, Ia) in Marion County. (Posted 6/27/2024)

FISHING PIER CLOSURE: The universally accessible fishing pier at Big Creek State Park was damaged in the August 2020 derecho weather event and is currently undergoing renovation.  The pier, parking lot, and immediate area around the pier are currently closed. A short section of the Neal Smith Trail will be closed during construction, trail users may detour through the parking lot. Work is expected to be completed by July of 2024. Please contact the park office at 515-984-6473 or big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov with questions. (Updated 5/23/24)

Neal Smith Trail Closure: A short section of the Neal Smith Trail through Big Creek State Park is currently closed due to a construction project. Trail users must detour off-trail to avoid the construction site.  The trail is expected to re-open by July 2024. Questions may be directed to the park office at 515-984-6473 or big_creek@dnr.iowa.gov. (Updated 5/23/24)

The Southeast and Southwest River Trails are temporarily closed due to flooding along the Des Moines. Trails will reopen when conditions improve and trails have been cleared.

2024 Tour Season Information: 
May 22-October 6 tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday, hourly from 10am to 3pm. Make a reservation by calling 319.934.3572 or email: cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.gov

2024 Campground Availability:  Campsites 1 - 115 (except 49, 50, 66, 67 will remain closed) are accepting reservations through September, 2024.  Starting on September 3 the entire campground will be closed for the campground renovation. (Updated May 16, 2024)

Flooding Closure: Due to flooding of the Des Moines River the main road through the park will be closed until further notice. The campground, cabins and center lodge are closed until further notice. The south lodge and the north shelter are still accessible. (Posted June 24, 2024)

Request to be notified when Dolliver Memorial State Park reopens: The campground and all facilities at Dolliver Memorial State Park are closed from August 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024 due to a road repaving project. If the project starts later or is completed earlier than expected, DNR can notify you that the closure will be removed for the campground, cabins, lodges and shelter. If you would like to be notified, fill out the following form, Dolliver Memorial State Park notification Google form. (Posted 9/7/2023 (Updated 6/11/2024))

Elinor Bedell Campground: The campground is not accepting walk-ins or reservations through July 14, 2024 due to the flooding occurring in the area.  All current reservations will be honored.  (Updated June 28, 2024)

TRAILS: Currently all multi-use trails are closed to biking and equestrian traffic due to wet trail surface conditions. The trails are still available to hike, jog and walk on. This bulletin will be removed when trails are opened back up for biking and equestrian use. For further information please call the park office at 641-842-6008. (updated 6/26/2024). 

Emerson Bay SRA Campground: The campground is not accepting walk-ins or reservations through July 14, 2024 due to the flooding occurring in the area.  All current reservations will be honored.  (Updated June 28, 2024)

Campsite Closure: Campsites 16 - 20 are closed until further notice. (Posted June 26, 2024)

ATTENTION:  Due to the Mississippi water rising close to flood levels, the east and west docks have been removed until further notice.   (Posted 6/26/24)

POTENTIAL FLOODING:  The Fairport Campground is open, but due to the forecasted flooding of the Mississippi River, campsites will be closed on an as needed basis.  If a reservation is affected by potential flood waters, you will be contacted with options.  Contact the Park Office at 563-263-4337, with any questions.  (Posted 6/24/24)

Fairport State Recreation Area Shower Building Closure

The shower building at Fairport State Recreation Area will be closed from June 24th until June 30th. New flooring is being installed in the shower building. Please feel free to reach out to the park office (563) 263-4337 with any questions or concerns.Thank you -Park staff (Posted: 05/31/2024)

The Fairport Campground is open, but due to damage to the electrical boxes from the 2023 flood waters of the Mississippi River, sites 37 to 39 have been temporarily closed.  They will reopen as soon as we can have the electrical box repaired or replaced.  For more information please call the Park Office at 563-263-4337.  (Updated 5/21/2024)

ATTENTION: Fort Atkinson State Preserve is closed to the public through late-summer 2024 for a reconstruction project. The annual Fort Atkinson Rendezvous will be held the last weekend in September.   For questions or concerns, please call Volga River State Recreation Area at 563-425-4161.

Trail Closure: The trails at Fort Defiance are currently closed.  (Posted June 26, 2024)

George Wyth State park will be closed through June 30 and could be longer due flooding of the Cedar River. The park will be closed to all traffic, cars, bikes, walking, hiking and people. Trails will also be flooded and the gates closed for your safety. We will reopen when the water goes down and we have gotten everything back in order and it is safe for everyone. Do not disregard signs, they are there for your safety and the safety of staff. LE 6/26/24

Campground Closed:  As of June 24 the Gull Point campground is closed due to flooding.  Until the water recedes, it is unknown when the campground will reopen. (Posted June 24, 2024)

Lodge Closure: The lodge is not accepting reservations for the 2025 recreation season. (Posted March 20, 2024)

Campground Closure: The campground will be closed starting on October 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025. (Posted June 15, 2024)

This does not affect the campground.( The campground is open and has water available)Due to a water leak the water is shut off to the south side of the park. There is currently no water supplying the hydrant by the beach or the restroom near shelter #5. We have pit latrines available at both boat ramps, the picnic area, and at the dam. There is an ADA accessible portable toilet located at the top of the hill by the beach. Posted 1/18/2024

Lake Keomah is scheduled for a major reconstruction project.  This will improve water quality, provide better amenities for park users and increase structure for fishing.  In order for this project to begin the lake will be drained.  As a result, a drawdown will start after July 4, 2024.  Project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2026.

Created March 11, 2024

Request to be notified when Lake Keomah Facilities reopens: The facilities at Lake Keomah State Park are closed from August 1, 2024 - October 15, 2025, due to renovations. If the project starts later or is completed earlier than expected, DNR can notify you that the closure will be removed for the lodges and shelters. If you would like to be notified, fill out the following form, Lake Keomah Facilities reopens. (POSTED 09/18/2023)

Lake Macbride's annual Fireworks display will take place July 3rd around dusk. The display is best viewed from the beach area. The Main Boat ramp (just west of the beach) and nearby Beach to Dam Trail will be closed on Monday July 3rd for fireworks set up/safety reasons. All other boat ramps will be open that day.

Due to high river waters Catfish Road inside Lake Manawa State Park is CLOSED until the water recedes and staff is able to clear off debris. This includes the river boat ramp and river parking lot. (Posted June 24, 2024)

Lake Manawa Water levels: Lake Manawa, located within Lake Manawa State Park, continues to experience abnormally low water levels that may impact recreation opportunities. Members of the public should be aware that due to the decreased water levels there may be an increased risk of hazards when launching vessels on public and private boat docks. Due to lowered water levels we are encouraging members of the public to exercise caution when boating near the shore on any part of the lake and especially in the southeast portion of the lake near "Tin Can Dike". In addition, the area off the north point of the lake is also shallower and boaters should exercise caution as they may not be able to get as close to the point as they could in years past. Water levels in oxbow lakes adjacent to the Missouri River, including Lake Manawa, are lower than normal due to dry conditions in western Iowa and historic low flows in the Missouri River. The current drought period in Western Iowa began in 2020. Climate conditions over the last three years are some of the driest three-year periods in the 128-year record for the region. In the past two years, annual runoff was at least 25 percent below normal levels. Local average annual precipitation is also below normal for the area, contributing to the low water conditions at Lake Manawa. Lake Manawa, like many other oxbow lakes, is characterized by a small watershed drainage area relative to the size of the lake and a localized water recharge area. Oxbow lakes form when a curve (or meander) in a river finds a shorter path, effectively isolating the old curve to form an oxbow lake in a low-lying plain near the side of the river. Water levels in these lakes are highly influenced by nearby river and groundwater levels. The DNR will continue to divert from Mosquito Creek to the lake as long as the water clarity is maintained; however, this will not have a significant impact on lake water levels. The Lake Manawa State Park Staff along with Conservation Officers, Water Patrol and our Fisheries Biologist will continue to monitor lake levels and adjust the location of buoys as necessary.

LEDGES ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE (June 28, 2024) - Due to flooding from the nearby Des Moines River, parts of Ledges State Park are currently closed to vehicle traffic. These closures include:

• The one-way Canyon Drive, where motorists usually can drive through the low-water crossings
• The Lower Ledges Road (through road leading out of the park to the south side of Boone)
• Des Moines River boat ramp
• Flood Pole parking lot.

Visitors are welcome to hike into the canyon area at this time and the easiest access will be found by parking at the Oak Woods picnic area and then hiking either the closed roadway or any of the trails down into the canyon. On days of heavy visitation, please consider using extra parking here to explore the park. It is expected that the flooding will impact the areas mentioned above for at least the next 2 weeks.

Areas not impacted by the flooding that are still open and accessible by vehicle include the Ledges campground, Carl Fritz Henning Shelter, Lost Lake Nature Trail, and upper picnic areas near the campground entrance. For the most up-to-date information on the flooding impacts, please call the Ledges park office at (515) 432-1852.

The Oak Woods Shelter is currently closed to public access until further notice. No reservations are being taken for the shelter at this time, but the Carl Fritz Henning shelter remains open and available for reservation in 2024. This alert was updated on April 10, 2024.

Banquet Room Closure: Reservations for the Banquet Room will be unavailable beginning in 2023 for repairs and updates. The Banquet Room will be closed for reservations until further notice. If you would like to be notified when the Banquet Room reopens, fill out the following form: Lewis and Clark Google Form. (Updated February 13, 2024)

Boat Dock Out Due to Low Water Levels: Due to the drought conditions Western Iowa has been experiencing, the boat dock will remain out at our boat ramp until water levels rise. Once water levels have risen enough to allow the dock to be put in without damage, this alert will be removed. Park Staff are recommending that you DO NOT LAUNCH boats at this time, as the end of the pavement is just below the waters edge. Reports of boat trailers going off the edge have increased in the last week. (Updated 7/24/22) To see current drought conditions click this link.

Marble Beach SRA Campground: The campground is not accepting walk-ins or reservations through July 14, 2024 due to the flooding occurring in the area.  All current reservations will be honored.  (Updated June 28, 2024)

WATER OVER TRIALS- Due to rising Mississippi River water, Mesquakie and Catfish Creek Trails are closed.

ATTENTION: Due to flooding of the Cedar River the boat ramp will be closed Thursday, June 27, 2024. This alert will be removed when the boat ramp is reopened. (Posted 6/26/2024)

Campground Closure: The campground will remain closed for 2024. Access to the lake can be gained through the North boat ramp. This ramp has a kayak launch and boat ramp, as well as the fish cleaning station has been reinstalled. Shelters available include the Stone Shelter and Youth Shelter both open for reservations. The Beach is currently open and available for use, as well as all Hiking Trails. (Updated March 1, 2024)

Construction will be on going throughout the park. Please be mindful of trucks and equipment driving through the park and working. Posted (October 31st, 2023)

Multi-use Trail Closure:     The Rock Creek Multi-use Trail system will remain closed indefinitely due to damage sustained from heavy rain and flood events.      The bridges and culverts have sustain significant damaged and will need to be assessed and repaired before opening.    For more information please contact park office at 641-236-3722.

Accessing the park:  West entrance is open. (Posted June 28, 2024)

Boat Ramp Closure: The boat ramp at the lagoon is closed until further notice. (Posted March 11, 2024)

FACILITIES: Modern restroom and shower facilities are open at Union Grove State Park. The north side showers and restrooms are operational, one of the south side showers are open, and one is currently closed for repairs. If you have any questions regarding this closure please contact park staff: 641-473-2556 or union.grove@dnr.iowa.gov (POSTED 04/22/2024)

NON-ELECTRIIC CAMPSITES: Non electric campsites are unavailable at Union Grove State Park. They were removed in the fall of 2023. If you have any questions regarding this please contact the park office (641)-473-2556 or union_grove@dnr.iowa.gov. (03/13/2024)  

(POSTED 6/28/2024) The Equestrian Trails are currently CLOSED. If you have any questions, please call the park office at (563) 425-4161.

Rental Facility Closure: All of the cabins, the lodge, and the Overlook shelter will not be accepting reservations from April 1 - July 10, 2025 due to a waterline project.  (Posted May 8, 2024)

ATTENTION:  There is an upcoming Park Road Repaving Project planned to begin June 14th, 2024.  Once this project begins, accessibility to certain Park amenities, in the Upper and Lower Picnic Areas, may be limited.  This includes the Wildcat Den Campground.  Please contact the Park Office with any questions or concerns.  (Updated 6/15/24)

The Pine Creek Grist Mill is now open for the 2024 season.  From now until Memorial Day, hours of operation are Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and then Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Hours of operation after Memorial Day will be Wednesday thru Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00pm.  (Posted 5/19/24)

TRAIL CLOSURE:  The Cave Trail, from the Lower Picnic Area to the crossing at State Park Rd., will be closed until Park Staff are able to make necessary trail repairs.  If you have any questions please contact the Park Office at 563-263-4337.  All other Trails are open for use at this time. (Posted 2/5/2024)

As of June 23, 2024 Wilson Island SRA is closed due to the rise of the Missouri River. You may check the National Weather Prediction Service for water levels near the SRA.  The campground is not accepting reservations through July 28. Affected reservations will be contacted by DNR.  (Updated June 26, 2024)