Many of Iowa’s most enjoyable lakes are anchored by state parks, with beaches, campgrounds, trails and boat ramps that make a weekend on the water easy and affordable. This guide rounds up the best Iowa state park lakes and what each offers. Every lake links to a full guide in our Iowa Lakes Database.
Lake Macbride – the largest state-park lake
Lake Macbride, near Iowa City, is the largest state-park lake in Iowa and sits in the state’s most popular state park – a quiet, no-wake lake with a beach, trails and good fishing, connected to Coralville Lake.
Backbone – Iowa’s first state park
Backbone Lake lies in Iowa’s oldest state park (1920), below the rugged “Devil’s Backbone” ridge, with a trout stream, climbing and CCC stonework – one of the most scenic spots in the state.
Big lakes near the cities
Big Creek (near Des Moines) and Lake Manawa (by Omaha) are busy metro state-park lakes with great beaches, while Clear Lake pairs a state park with a famous lake town.
Southern Iowa’s lake parks
South-central and southwest Iowa are dotted with excellent state-park lakes: Green Valley, Lake Anita, Viking Lake, Prairie Rose, Lake Geode and Lake Sugema – all with beaches, camping and fishing.
Resort & reservoir parks
For a full-service stay, Rathbun’s Honey Creek Resort offers a lodge and water park, and the big Corps reservoirs – Saylorville, Red Rock and Coralville – have extensive park facilities.
Planning a state-park lake trip
Most Iowa state parks are free to enter, but campgrounds and cabins should be reserved ahead for summer weekends. An Iowa fishing license is required to fish. Many lakes are no-wake or low-horsepower – check boating rules before you trailer a boat.
See all the best lakes in Iowa, browse the small lakes, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
