State Park Alerts & Closures

Closure: The 16 cabins and the Beach Lodge are not accepting reservations from January 4 - May 31, 2027 due to a wastewater project. (Posted January 8, 2026)

Facility Closure: Due to several plumbing issues affecting both our restrooms and showers, we have made the decision to close the West Showers/Restrooms until further notice. We are unsure at this time when repairs will be completed. Thank you for your patience and understanding. (Posted 5/15/2026)

Bathroom Closure 7/8/2026: Due to a break on the sewer line, the Beverly Dinghy, Cadet, Hampton, Group Use, and East Boat Ramp bathrooms are now closed. Repairs will be completed and the bathrooms will be re-opened as soon as possible. This notice will be removed when the bathrooms have been re-opened. 

The swimming beach at Brushy Creek will be closed Monday July 13th for approximately 2 weeks. Drainage improvements are being made to slow runoff from rainfall events.

Campground Status: The North, Middle (Beach), and South campgrounds are currently not accepting reservations for 2026 due to ongoing renovations. All campgrounds will remain closed and no camping will be allowed until the renovation is complete, most likely sometime in August. Once the project is complete and the DNR establishes firm reopening dates for all three campgrounds, we will send a notification email prior and then reservations will open up for the remainder of the season. If you wish to be notified of the reopening, please fill out the following form: Brushy Creek Campgrounds Notification Google Form. (Updated April 17, 2026)

Lodge Renovation: The Clear Lake Lodge will be closed May 1 - September 30, 2026, for repairs/renovation.  DNR can notify you if the project is completed sooner and the closure is removed, allowing for rentals. If you wish to be notified when the lodge reopens, fill out the following form, Clear Lake Lodge Google Form (Posted February 26, 2025)

Campground Status: The south half of the campground has the following sites closed until further notice: 123 - 127, 131 - 132, 135 - 137, 140, 143 - 148, and 150. When these campsites reopen, the IA DNR will send an email. If you wish to be notified, fill out the following form: Clear Lake Campground Google Form. (Updated June 26, 2026)

Dolliver State Park: Bridge Closure / Construction.  The Bridge on the main road through will be closed June 26,2026 to July 13, 2026.  Campers, Family Cabin, Center Lodge, and North Shelter users should access the park from the North Entrance.  South Lodge or people going to the Office should access the park from the South Entrance as the Bridge on the main road through the park will be closed for construction.

2026 Updates: George Wyth beach will be open for the summer of 2026 with limited access. There will not be any concessions, rentals or firewood available this year. (Posted 5/14/2026)

Road Closure: 140th St. at the spillway is closed for a bridge replacement.  Estimated completion date is September 2026.  (Updated 5/7/2026)

The Lake Anita Campground will be closed for utility work. Work begins on September 8th and goes until completed.

Core4 will be holding a special event bicycle trail race at Lake Macbride on August 15th, utilizing the Field Campus Trail between Angler's Point Road and the Spillway.

Signage will be posted to alert pedestrians. Please use caution when hiking this trail on August 15th, particularly during the race event hours of 8am - 9:30am.

Pedestrians are asked to kindly yield right of way to cyclists for safety reasons.  This is a one-time special event request.

RP 7-8-26

Beach Area: Alcohol is prohibited inside the fenced in designated beach area. Alcohol may not be possessed or consumed within the fenced designated beach area. (Updated April 22, 2026)

Non-Resident User Fee Discontinued: Effective January 1, 2026, the non-resident user fee pilot project at Lake Manawa State Park has concluded. Visitors are no longer required to pay a non-resident entry fee.

OAK WOODS SHELTER - The Oak Woods Shelter is currently closed to reservations for 2026. There is a renovation project scheduled to begin in the spring on the shelter and it should be completed by late summer 2026. When the project is completed, the shelter will reopen for reservations.

CARL FRITZ HENNING SHELTER - Starting in the spring of 2026, a park-wide road preservation project will begin. This project will restrict vehicle access to portions of the park for much of the summer, including the Henning Shelter. Currently the Henning Shelter is open for reservations on Saturdays and Sundays only from May through July. At the completion of the road project, the Henning Shelter will reopen for reservations. (Updated 4/24/2026)

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)

Boardwalk Closure: A section of the boardwalk is closed between Hernando's Hideaway and Up-and-down. Please do not enter this area! (posted 6-12-26)

Cave Closure: The caves in the park are closed every year from November 15 until April 1, as they serve as a hibernaculum for overwintering bats. (Posted 8/29/25)

Trail Closure: A section of the trail between Window and Match cave is closed due to boardwalk damage. Please do not enter this area. (Posted 8/30/2024)

Yurt Closure: Due to storm damage both Yurts are closed. (Posted 5/18/2026)

Campground Closure: McIntosh Woods campground will be closed for the 2026 season due to a renovation. The campground will plan to reopen by the 2027 camping season. (Posted 1/7/2026)

The pit toilet facility at Cedar Cliff Trailhead is closed indefinitely. This facility is scheduled to be replaced. In the mean time, please utilize the facilities at Lodge Trail and Overlook Trail. Thank you for your patience.

The September 2026 Lodge Viewing will be on Tuesday, September 15th, instead of Wednesday the 16th.

Road Open: The through road at Pilot Knob State Park is open for the 2026 recreational season. (Posted April 10th, 2026)

Shelter Closure: Upper Boat Ramp Shelter is closed until further notice. A tree fell on the shelter, causing damage. (Posted 02/19/2026)

Campsites Closed: The Pleasant Creek Campground 3 standard electric sites 61-69 are closed through November 15, 2026, due to renovations. (Updated May 4, 2026)

Park Access: The RAGBRAI route will use M47; expect delays on Monday July 20, 2026. For route information see the RAGBRAI Route. (Posted June 30, 2026)

Road Closures: Roads may be partially closed throughout the park as we are doing road repairs. (Posted 11/13/25)

Equestrian Trail Closure: Effective August 8, 2025, the trails will be closed until flood damage from the 2024 flood damage. This  bulletin will be removed once the trails have been re-opened. (Posted 8/14/2025) 

Park Access: The RAGBRAI route will use Highway 4; expect delays on Tuesday July 21, 2026. For route information see the RABGRAI Route. (Posted July 2, 2026)

Restroom Closure: Due to the storm that came through on June 11, the forest received severe tree damage and the restroom in the Whitebreast Equestrian West Loop campground has been damaged and is not usable.  The restrooms in the Whitebreast Equestrian Main and Overflow Loops are still open.  (Posted June 11, 2026)

Equestrian Trails are Open.

If you have any questions, please call the park office at 563-425-4161.

(Posted 7/6/2026)

Road Closed: Road construction will begin the first week of June. During this time access to certain areas of the park may be unavailable. Access to the golf course will be maintained at all times. This project is estimated to be completed August 15th. (Posted May 21, 2026)

Campground Closed Mid week: The campground will be closed Monday - Thursday beginning July 15th due to road construction. It will reopen during the week mid August. (Posted May 21, 2026)

Shelter Closure: The Playground and Dutch Creek Shelters are undergoing septic system installation through early September 2026. Reservation availability and restroom access have changed during this time:

• Playground Shelter: Unavailable for reservations; open on a first-come, first-served basis only. Temporary portable restrooms are available.

• Dutch Creek Shelter: Available for reservations Friday–Sunday (first-come, first-served Monday–Thursday). The pit latrine remains open.

(Updated June 3, 2026)

LOWER PICNIC AREA WATER:  The water for the Lower Picnic Area will remain off until necessary repairs can be made to the systems.  Water in the Campground and Mill Area is still on and ready for use.  (Posted 5/8/2026)

Trail Closure: The Cave Trail, from the Lower Picnic Area to the crossing at State Park Rd., will be closed until further notice, and repairs can be made. If you have any questions, please call the Park Office at 563-263-4337. All other Trails are open for use at this time. (Updated 9/16/2025)