State Parks

Experience Iowa's natural beauty and all the fun our state parks offer as you make memories with family and friends. With an array of activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, there's something for everyone whether you're visiting for an afternoon or a week!

Iowa State Parks Trails
A web based application has been developed to identify and map trails maintained in Iowa state parks. Utilizing this application on a mobile device will allow for navigation. By selecting each section of trail users can identify trail name, acceptable trail use and distance. The application utilizes the device's gps system and mobile data. Data service can be a limiting factor for this application.

To assist electric vehicle drivers in planning their visit to Iowa state parks, this interactive map illustrates the location of existing public EV charging stations compared to Iowa state parks, recreation areas, and forests. Additionally, the map shows the concentration of registered electric vehicles (EV) throughout Iowa. Data for the map is from the Iowa DOT bureau of Vehicle & Motor Carrier Services, the Alternative Fuels Data Center, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

• View now: Map of Registered EVs & Iowa State Parks

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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

State Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau
Iowa DNR
6200 Park Ave Ste 200
Des Moines, Iowa 50321-1371

• FAQs: State Park Reservations
• FAQs: Visiting State Parks

Can't find the answer about state parks on the web pages or are experiencing problems with website links? 

Please send your question(s) to: iowa.stateparks@dnr.iowa.gov