Lake Anita State Park, dedicated in 1961, is one of the most popular outdoor recreation facilities in southwest Iowa. The 1,062-acre park features a beautiful 171-acre artificial lake which was formed by creating a dam on a branch of the Nishnabotna River. Lake Anita State Park truly has something for everyone; from hiking on a quiet trail to splashing on the beach, Lake Anita is a great place to enjoy yourself in the great outdoors.

Lake Darling State Park was dedicated on September 17, 1950. J. N. "Ding" Darling, for whom the park was named, "set the gate," a ceremony in which an honored guest closes the valve on the spillway, completing the impoundment process. Ding Darling was the editorial cartoonist of the Des Moines Register and was a champion of conservation during the early part of this century. Through his efforts, the conservation movement was fostered in Iowa. In recognition of his contributions, Lake Darling State Park was named in his honor.

During the summer the open water, grasslands, deep woods and marshy areas provide habitat for all types of wildlife. Hikers along the park's scenic hiking and nature trails may catch a glimpse of bullfrogs blowing and puffing bass solos, a great blue heron wading the shallows in search of minnows, or a covey of quail rising at the approach of human footsteps. In the fall, the lake is surrounded by a mass of color from a variety of trees and shrubs.

Lake Macbride is an angler's delight! Good catches of walleyes, channel catfish, crappies and bluegill await the angler in the 812-acre artificial lake. Walleyes, channel catfish and muskies are stocked annually. Lake Macbride may be the only lake in Iowa in which the prized Kentucky spotted bass can be caught. Good lake access is available for both shoreline and boat fishing.

Lake Manawa is the premier boating spot in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. Boat motors of any size may be operated on the lake. Modern boat ramps are located on the north, south and west sides of the lake. Paddle boats and canoes are available for rent at the beach area from the concessionaire. A Missouri River boat ramp also provides boaters acess to the river.

The 85-acre Lake of Three Fires is nearly a mile long and a half-mile wide, with scenic inlets ideal for fishing and boating. Surrounding the lake are 691 acres of picturesque woodlands. Although summer is the most popular season, any nice spring or fall day will draw hundreds of picnickers, hikers, photographers and fishermen. There are eight miles of marked trails for hikers, horseback riders, and snowmobilers. Playgrounds are located in the picnic area and at the beach area. There are horseshoe pitching areas at the beach area near the lodge, the camp area and the picnic area.

Lake Wapello's beach offers opportunities for swimming and sunbathing. Refreshments are available at the beautiful stone and timber bathhouse. Boats may be rented at the concession area. Any size of boat motors may be operated at "no wake" speeds on the lake.

The wildlife and plant communities are interwoven with the human history of Ledges. Humans have appreciated this unique area for thousands of years. Archeological evidence found within the park dates to around 4,000 years ago. At the time of European settlement, the Ledges area was inhabited by the Sauk, Fox (now the Mesqwakie) and Sioux. Native American mounds in the vicinity contain artifacts acting as silent reminders of the area's past inhabitants.

On August 10, 1804, the expedition arrived at the site where Lewis and Clark State Park now lies. They spent some time there exploring the region and making observations on the geographical conditions, plants and animals in the area. Today, thousands of people visit the park every year for outdoor recreation and to learn a little bit more about the Lewis and Clark expedition. The park has been designated as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail by the National Park Service.

Lower Gar is one of the five lakes connected in the Iowa Great Lakes chain along with West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Minnewashta, and Upper Gar. Lower Gar State Recreation Area also offers the user a boat ramp to launch a boat, and several areas to fish along the shoreline.

Artifacts such as pottery, as well as tools and projectile points made of stone have been found in the caves and surrounding area. These discoveries tell us that the Maquoketa Caves area has been a popular spot for hundreds of years, perhaps thousands of years. Early recorded history tells of the Native Americans in the area, and that they were likely visitors to the Raccoon Creek valleys. From the discovery of the caves in the 1830's by settlers until the present, the park has been a place to view the special beauty that nature has to offer.

Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and provides some of the best fishing in the state. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunges, smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads.

McIntosh Woods State Park is located on the northwest shore of beautiful 3,684-acre Clear Lake. The 60-acre park, purchased in 1943, is an oasis of nature in an area of residential, commercial and agricultural land.

Dubuque is credited as being the first European to settle on what is now Iowa soil in 1788. In 1796, Dubuque received a land grant from the Governor of Spain who resided in New Orleans at the time. The grant gave permission for Julien Dubuque to work the land which was owned by Spain, and specified the 189-square mile area to be names as "Mines of Spain". Dubuque eventually married Potosa, daughter of the Mesquakie Indian Chief, Peosta. Dubuque died March 24, 1810.

Located on the north side of Big Spirit Lake, Mini-Wakan State park offers the user a boat ramp to launch a boat, and several areas to fish along the shoreline. Mini-Wakan also borders the area commonly referred to as "the grade", which provides great access for the shoreline fisherman.

Rugged wooded hills and valleys abundant with oak trees makes Nine Eagles one of southern Iowa's most scenic parks. The park has some trees which are more than 300 years old. Visitors enjoy six miles of bridle trails and nine miles of hiking trails, swimming at the sandy beach, pleasant camping areas and shaded picnic spots with tables and fireplaces scattered throughout the 1,100-acre park.

Located on Tuttle Lake in Emmet County, Okamanpedan offers the user several areas to fish along the shoreline, as well as river fishing on the East Fork of the Des Moines River. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads.

Palisades-Kepler State Park lies along the beautiful Cedar River in Linn County. The 840-acre park has dramatic river bluffs, deep ravines, majestic hardwood trees, a large variety of wildflowers and an abundance of wildlife. Palisades-Kepler State Park is also important for its prehistoric past. A molar tooth of a mammoth was once found here and the exposed rocks along the Cedar River are laden with fossils of millions of years of history. The presence of Indian mounds reminds us that this was a favorite haunt of Native Americans hundreds of years ago.

Pikes Peak State Park is located in the "Paleozoic Plateau" that was missed by the glaciers that flattened and molded so much of Iowa. This area, often called the "Driftless" region, is noted for its natural beauty. Its hills and valleys offer great vistas, large timbered tracts, spring-fed streams and a natural beauty unique to northeast Iowa.

Pikes Point State Park is situated on West Lake Okoboji and is home to one of the most popular swim beaches in the area. Pikes Point's beach also has a very popular swim platform located within the swimming area for users to sun bathe or play on.

Hidden within the 700-acre park and enclosed by abrupt banks is Dead Man's Lake, a four-acre floating sphagnum bog, the only one of its kind in Iowa. This is a botanist's delight, bordered by native trees, shrubs and flowering plants. Waterfowl feed and breed in the tall grasses. Three species of pond lilies grow here, one found nowhere else in Iowa. Trees native to the Pilot Knob area include walnut, ash, basswood, wild cherry, burr oak, aspen, white oak and red oak. Pilot Knob's natural features are so significant, the majority of the park has been dedicated as a state preserve.

Pine Lake State Park provides a pleasing mix of woodland, river and lake in the midst of rolling farmland. The 585-acre park encompasses two lakes: 50-acre Lower Pine Lake and 69-acre Upper Pine Lake. Of special appeal to nature enthusiasts are the ancient white pine, the white-barked birch trees and the rare ferns found along the Iowa River. The pine-scented air of the campgrounds and picnic areas is a pleasing rarity in Iowa.

The idea for a state recreation area at Pleasant Creek originated in the early 1960s when the Iowa Conservation Commission (now the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) began investigating the possibility of a large lake to serve the outdoor recreation needs of a multi-county region of northeast Iowa. Today, a 410-acre lake and more than 1,500 acres of land are available to visitors conveniently close to the cities of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Palo and Waterloo/Cedar Falls. The lake offers a variety of fishing, boating and swimming opportunities. Trails offer visitors scenic views of wooded hills, marshy areas and meadows. The area is open year-round and provides a maximum of outdoor recreation activities.

The lake is the real focal point of the park. The Prairie Rose beach provides swimming and sunbathing fun for young and old. A play-ground area is located near the beach and another one in the campground area.

The 344 acre the park encompasses what was once the town of Preparation. In 1853, Charles B. Thompson broke from the Mormon wagon train to Utah after receiving a message from the "Spirit." The Mormon leader and elder led 50 to 60 Mormon families to Kanesville, now Council Bluffs. Upon much searching, Thompson and a few select men chose the area called "Monona," an Indian name meaning "Peaceful Valley." Here they organized the town of Preparation, complete with houses and schools and started Monona County's first newspaper which Thompson owned and operated.