Iowa state parks are preparing for a bustling Memorial Day weekend, marking the traditional start of the summer outdoor recreation season. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks, Forests, and Preserves Chief Sherry Arntzen says, “Park visitors are excited to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather after a long winter inside. Our parks offer a variety of activities for all enthusiasts from hiking the trails to picnicking, fishing and swimming. There’s something for everyone while enjoying the outdoors.” Campers are urged to plan ahead as most electrical and full hookup sites are already reserved. Visitors might consider non-electric sites or “hidden gem” parks farther from home. Iowa state parks and forests offer around 950 non-reservable sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, with most people choosing to stay from Thursday through the weekend. Links with information on site availability, registrations, and park and trail closures are included with this story on our website. Visitors are reminded to clean up after themselves, park in designated areas, and keep pets on leashes out of respect for other park users.
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https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/
https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures