State Parks and National Parks

Pine Lake State Park

Nestled in the heart of rolling Iowa farmland, Pine Lake State Park covers 654 acres of woodlands and lakefront along the Iowa River.

The park contains two lakes, Lower and Upper Pine, and a grove of ancient white pines, whose pungent scent permeates the park.

More than 10 miles of hiking trails wend around the lakes and along the river. The campground, with 124 sites, is one of the state's finest. Wheelchair-accessible facilities include a cabin, lodge and picnic site.

There are a total of four cabins available for rent, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration, each equipped with a fireplace, shower, restroom, stove, refrigerator and cooking utensils.

Both lakes are stocked with northern pike, catfish, bass and crappie. The Iowa River is noted for its channel catfish and smallmouth bass. Local outfitters offer canoe trips from Steamboat Rock to Pine Lake.

Photo credits in order: Photo by Ken Formanek, courtesy of Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Photo by Ken Formanek, courtesy of Iowa Department of Natural Resources.