The unofficial end of the summer holiday remains one of the more popular weekends during the peak camping season. Most of the campsites with electricity in Iowa state parks have been snapped up for weeks ahead of the Labor Day weekend.
“We expect our campgrounds to be near capacity for the Labor Day weekend,” said Todd Coffelt, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau. “It’s been a good summer, with some outstanding camping weather which looks to continue making for a great weekend.”
The few available campsites on the reservation system will likely fill quickly so campers making last minute plans should move now. Campgrounds with the most electrical sites available are Pilot Knob with 10, Honey Creek with four, Lake Anita and Lake Keomah with two each.
Go to www.iowadnr.gov and click on the reservation button at the bottom of the page, or go directly to http://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/
After this Wednesday, all available sites for a Friday arrival will become first-come, first-served camping.
State park concessions
Don’t miss the opportunity to rent that paddleboard or fishing boat, grab a quick snack or a full-service restaurant meal, or camp with firewood close at hand. Some state park concessionaires will close for the season after this weekend. Others may remain open into the fall. Check out the state park concessions webpage to find out which parks have concessions, what they offer and other details at www.iowadnr.gov/concessions
Cabins still available Labor Day weekend
Not really a camper but think you might enjoy a weekend stay in a state park cabin? Five Iowa state parks currently have cabins available for the Labor Day weekend. Reservations must be made by contacting the park office directly.
- Black Hawk State Park, Sac County, Deluxe Family Cabin, 4-bedroom, $100/day 712-657-8712
- Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Van Buren County, Studio Cabins, $50/day each 319-293-3502
- Lake Wapello State Park, Davis County, Family Cabins, $60/day each 641-722-3371
- Pine Lake State Park, Hardin County, Family Cabin, one-bedroom, $75/day 641-858-5832
- Waubonsie State Park, Fremont County, Studio Cabin #2, $60/day 712-382-2786
For details about the cabins visit http://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/
During the peak reservation season (Memorial Day – Labor Day) most state park cabins rent for a minimum one-week stay (Friday to Friday). All state park cabins return to two-day minimum stays on Sept. 8, 2017.