State Park Alerts & Closures

As of July 5, 2025 the soft trails at Brushy Creek are temporarily closed for equestrian and bike use due to wet conditions.  The 14 mile gravel all-weather Lake and Pond trails remain open for use.  This bulletin will be removed when trails have dried sufficiently.

Beach and South Campgrounds OPEN:  The Beach and South Campgrounds are accepting reservations from June 29 - August 3 and walk-in, self registration is being accepted. If you want to be notified if the closure is modified fill out the following form, Brushy Creek Campground Google Form.  (Updated June 26, 2025)

North Campground Closure Due to Renovation:  The north campground is closed for 2025 for major renovations.  (Updated April 15, 2025)

Road Closure:  DETOURS/ROADWORK, repaving and bridge replacement will affect access to Cedar Rock.  Access is only possible form the City of Quesqueton.  There will be 2 weeks in July where tours CANNOT be offered.  Please check the Friends of Cedar Rock for the most up to date DETOUR/ROADWORK access information.

Reservations are required, call 319.934.3572, email cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.gov

Tours May 21-Oct 12 Wendesday-Sunday, each hour from 10am - 3pm EXCEPT when July paving prohibits access.

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)

TRAILS: Currently all multi-use trails are closed to biking and equestrian traffic due to wet trail surface conditions from rain. The trails are still available to hike, jog and walk on. This bulletin will be removed when trails are opened back up for biking and equestrian use. For further information please call the park office at 641-842-6008. (updated 7/11/25). 

Mile Long Bridge (Highway 14) Closure: Starting on April 8, Highway 14 will be closed between Highway G40 and Highway G28.  Highway 14 will be closed to all traffic and a detour will be in place using Iowa 163, Highway T17 and Highway 92.  This closure will affect access to the park from the north.  The project is expected to be completed in October.  (Posted March 27, 2025)

Shelter #4 area and parking will be closed permanently July 1st 2025 when a gate will be installed. Access will only be available by hiking in from the adjacent parking lot to the east of the Shelter #4 entrance gate area. There is no longer a toilet or other amenities available at the site. Parking is not permitted in front of the gate.

Please keep out of the lake bed.  Conditions of dried silt give the appearance of solid ground, when in fact the soils are very soft.  These conditions could lead to entrapment, if you fall into these spots. (Posted 7/23/24)

Lake draw down for renovations will begin Tuesday, July 9th.  Project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2026.  During this project, Lake Keomah will remain open along with camping and its amenities.

Facilities closing due to the renovations include the Beach and Lodge.

Shelters are at a first come first serve availability during this time and are not reservable (Updated 7/23/24)

Lake Keomah is scheduled for a major reconstruction project.  This will improve water quality, provide better amenities for park users and increase structure for fishing.  In order for this project to begin the lake will be drained.  As a result, a drawdown will start after July 4, 2024. Project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2026. (Posted March 11, 2024)

Request to be notified when Lake Keomah Lodge, Shelters, and Beach reopen: The Lodge and Beach at Lake Keomah State Park are closed from August 1, 2024 - October 15, 2025, due to renovations.  Shelters are at a first come first serve availability during this time and are not reservable.  If the project starts later or is completed earlier than expected, DNR can notify you that the closure will be removed for the lodges and shelters. If you would like to be notified, fill out the following form, Lake Keomah Facilities reopens. (Posted 09/18/2023)

The fish cleaning/grinder station at Lake Macbride State Park located near the primitive campground is now open for the summer season. (Posted 4-22-25)

Canyon Drive is currently closed to vehicle traffic due to flash flooding. Visitors are welcome to park in the Oak Woods picnic area near the canyon entrance gates, or the Flood Pole parking lot near the canyon exit. Most of the trails should be accessible by hiking from either of these locations. Visitors are advised not to enter the flood waters as the swift moving water is very dangerous. Once water levels subside and debris is cleaned off the roadway, the road will be reopened and this alert will be removed. This alert was updated on July 12th, 2025.

2025 CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS:  Currently ongoing, a demolition and reconstruction of the east campground restroom/shower building is happening at Ledges State Park. This area is near campsites 73-77.  The project is expected to be completed by early September 2025. Campers and other vistors can expect increased construction traffic and noise during this timeframe. Contractors will be prohibited from working every Friday from 5:00pm through all day Saturday, weekly.  

Extended drought conditions continue to impact water levels at Blue Lake, located within Lewis and Clark State Park. The lake level is about five feet below crest elevation, which will impact recreation on the lake this summer. Low water levels may impact shoreline fishing access and boat ramp access, as well as the swimming beach.

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)

The caves in the park are Closed every year from October 15th until April 15th as they server as a hibernaculum for overwintering bats. 

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)

Lodge Viewings, Monthly: Open to the Public, No Reservation Needed, Lodge Viewings are scheduled for the third Wednesday of every month from 2 pm. to 4 pm. Park staff will attend the viewings to answer questions.

Beach restrooms will be closed for the season due to a sewer issue.  Porta potties are available.  Posted 5/24/25.

Lick Creek Roadwork: Concrete repairs will take place in Lick Creek, expect one lane closures and delays. Updated 7-10-2025

The equestrian trails are closed for use due to wet trail condition. This posting will be removed when the trails are open. (Posted 07/09/2025)

Modern restroom and shower facilities are open at Union Grove State Park. The north side showers and restrooms are operational, one of the south side showers are open, and one is currently closed for repairs. If you have any questions regarding this closure please contact park staff: 641-473-2556 or union.grove@dnr.iowa.gov (Posted 04/14/2025)

The Equestrian Trails are currently Open. If you have any questions, please call the park office at (563) 425-4161. (POSTED 6/29/2025) 

Modern Facilities Are Open:  Modern restrooms and the shower building are open.  (Posted 4/28/25)

Due to a delay in the bridge replacement project, Albany Campground will be open until August 3rd. The road and campground will be closed again on August 4th. Please contact the park office at 563-425-4161 with any questions.  For any updates on the project or closure, DNR can notify you. If you would like to be notified when the campground opens after the construction project, fill out the following form: Volga River Albany Equestrian Campground Google Form.

(Updated July 5,2025)

Rental Faciltiy Closure:  All of the modern cabins (1, 2 and 3) and the Overlook shelter will not be accepting reservations from April 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026, the camping cabins (4,5 and 9) will not be accepting reservation October 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026 and the lodge will, not be accepting reservations from January 1 - July 31, 2026 due to a waterline project.  If you want to be notified if the closure is modified, fill out the following form, Waubonsie Facility Closure Google Form (Updated June 26, 2025)

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 contact the Park Office at 563-263-4337.  All other Trails are open for use at this time. (Updated 5/31/2025)