The best lakes in Iowa offer scenery, recreation, fishing, and plenty of opportunities to get in touch with the wild nature of the Hawkeye State. So even though Iowa is a landlocked state, it’s rare for Hawkeyes to spend more than a few weeks without heading to a lake or river. Check out this amazing list of lakes in Iowa, and then add them to your bucket list.
- Lake MacBride
Flickr / Tony Webster Lake MacBride State Park is home to miles of trails, a waterfall, and some of the best fishing in the state. Learn more about this great Iowa lake, and then plan your next visit. Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
- Lake Red Rock
Flickr / Tusher Dayal Lake Red Rock is the largest lake in Iowa, and it was formed by a damming project in the 1960s. Today, the lake is hugely popular for all sorts of recreation, and you can get a birds-eye view of the sprawling waterway by climbing to the top of the park’s observation tower. Start planning your visit by reading more about Lake Red Rock. Lake Red Rock, Iowa, USA
- Saylorville Lake
Flickr / Gordon Gaippe Saylorville Lake may be the most recognizable of any Iowa lake, and many Hawkeye State residents remember the devastating floods that began here in 1993. Today, Saylorville Lake is a popular fishing spot, with more than a dozen different species waiting to be reeled in. After a day on the water, be sure to check out the floating lake patio! Saylorville Lake, Iowa, USA
- Lake Sugema
Flickr / Steve Garner Lake Sugema is an underrated body of water that offers the best largemouth bass fishing in Iowa. Fishermen flock to the shores to drop in their boats and try their luck. Read more about one of the cleanest lakes in Iowa, and then put it on your bucket list. Lake Sugema, Iowa 52565, USA
- West Okoboji Lake
Flickr / Mary Fairchild West Okoboji is the star of the Iowa Great Lakes, and with so many recreation opportunities, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular lakes in Iowa. You can kayak, boat, fish, canoe, and swim here, but many people choose to spend their vacation on one of the privately run party boats that cruise the lake and serve up cocktails and plenty of dancing. Start planning your trip by reading more about one of the best lakes in Iowa. West Okoboji Lake, Iowa, USA
- Lake Darling
Google Local / Joshua Borden Lake Darling State Park is home to a small and scenic lake that’s surrounded by peaceful and quiet hiking trails. It’s a popular spot for families to go for a taste of the outdoors. You can even rent a cabin and camp right on the shores! Lake Darling State Park, Iowa 52540, USA
- Black Hawk Lake
Wikimedia Commons Black Hawk Lake is one of a handful of natural lakes in Iowa. It was formed by a glacier millions of years ago, and today it’s a popular spot for hiking, swimming, and fishing. Read more about one of the most popular lakes in Iowa, and then pencil in your next visit. Black Hawk Lake, Iowa 51450, USA
- Rathbun Lake
Facebook / Honey Creek Resort Rathbun Lake is the gem of Honey Creek State Park, and you’ll find plenty of chances to enjoy the water by boat or by swimming! Honey Creek Resort makes full use of the water and they’ve created a playground that everyone is sure to enjoy. Read more about Honey Creek’s aquapark and then check it out! Rathbun Lake, Iowa, USA
What do you think of the best lakes in Iowa? Are there any you think we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below!
Flickr / Tony Webster
Lake MacBride State Park is home to miles of trails, a waterfall, and some of the best fishing in the state. Learn more about this great Iowa lake, and then plan your next visit.
Lake Macbride State Park, 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
Flickr / Tusher Dayal
Lake Red Rock is the largest lake in Iowa, and it was formed by a damming project in the 1960s. Today, the lake is hugely popular for all sorts of recreation, and you can get a birds-eye view of the sprawling waterway by climbing to the top of the park’s observation tower. Start planning your visit by reading more about Lake Red Rock.
Lake Red Rock, Iowa, USA
Flickr / Gordon Gaippe
Saylorville Lake may be the most recognizable of any Iowa lake, and many Hawkeye State residents remember the devastating floods that began here in 1993. Today, Saylorville Lake is a popular fishing spot, with more than a dozen different species waiting to be reeled in. After a day on the water, be sure to check out the floating lake patio!
Saylorville Lake, Iowa, USA
Flickr / Steve Garner
Lake Sugema is an underrated body of water that offers the best largemouth bass fishing in Iowa. Fishermen flock to the shores to drop in their boats and try their luck. Read more about one of the cleanest lakes in Iowa, and then put it on your bucket list.
Lake Sugema, Iowa 52565, USA
Flickr / Mary Fairchild
West Okoboji is the star of the Iowa Great Lakes, and with so many recreation opportunities, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular lakes in Iowa. You can kayak, boat, fish, canoe, and swim here, but many people choose to spend their vacation on one of the privately run party boats that cruise the lake and serve up cocktails and plenty of dancing. Start planning your trip by reading more about one of the best lakes in Iowa.
West Okoboji Lake, Iowa, USA
Google Local / Joshua Borden
Lake Darling State Park is home to a small and scenic lake that’s surrounded by peaceful and quiet hiking trails. It’s a popular spot for families to go for a taste of the outdoors. You can even rent a cabin and camp right on the shores!
Lake Darling State Park, Iowa 52540, USA
Wikimedia Commons
Black Hawk Lake is one of a handful of natural lakes in Iowa. It was formed by a glacier millions of years ago, and today it’s a popular spot for hiking, swimming, and fishing. Read more about one of the most popular lakes in Iowa, and then pencil in your next visit.
Black Hawk Lake, Iowa 51450, USA
Facebook / Honey Creek Resort
Rathbun Lake is the gem of Honey Creek State Park, and you’ll find plenty of chances to enjoy the water by boat or by swimming! Honey Creek Resort makes full use of the water and they’ve created a playground that everyone is sure to enjoy. Read more about Honey Creek’s aquapark and then check it out!
Rathbun Lake, Iowa, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best lakes in Iowa June 30, 2022 Jessica Bohl Where can you camp lakeside in Iowa? There are some amazing camping spots in Iowa. But if you want to be lakeside, there are some campgrounds that stand out. For instance, Mill Creek State Park is a great place to pitch a waterfront tent. There are 48 campsites, but also cabins that make for a great place to stay overnight. Coralville Lake is another great place to camping and enjoy a weekend of boating, swimming, or camping. With 500 campsites, your sure to find one that’s perfect for you. And if you want to stay at a magical waterfall campground, be sure to check out Union Grove State Park for a memorable camping experience! What are some great spots for fishing in Iowa? There are some really great spots for fishing in Iowa. If small mouth bass are your go to fish, Big Spirit Lake is the best for smallmouth bass fishing in the spring. Clear Lake, at the south edge of the city of Clear Lake, offers a variety of fish, such as yellow bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, and even more! Lake Ahquabi is another awesome fishing spot where you can catch bluegill, black and white crappies, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Which spot are you going to check out?
The OIYS Visitor Center
best lakes in Iowa
June 30, 2022
Jessica Bohl
Where can you camp lakeside in Iowa? There are some amazing camping spots in Iowa. But if you want to be lakeside, there are some campgrounds that stand out. For instance, Mill Creek State Park is a great place to pitch a waterfront tent. There are 48 campsites, but also cabins that make for a great place to stay overnight. Coralville Lake is another great place to camping and enjoy a weekend of boating, swimming, or camping. With 500 campsites, your sure to find one that’s perfect for you. And if you want to stay at a magical waterfall campground, be sure to check out Union Grove State Park for a memorable camping experience! What are some great spots for fishing in Iowa? There are some really great spots for fishing in Iowa. If small mouth bass are your go to fish, Big Spirit Lake is the best for smallmouth bass fishing in the spring. Clear Lake, at the south edge of the city of Clear Lake, offers a variety of fish, such as yellow bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, and even more! Lake Ahquabi is another awesome fishing spot where you can catch bluegill, black and white crappies, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Which spot are you going to check out?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are some amazing camping spots in Iowa. But if you want to be lakeside, there are some campgrounds that stand out. For instance, Mill Creek State Park is a great place to pitch a waterfront tent. There are 48 campsites, but also cabins that make for a great place to stay overnight. Coralville Lake is another great place to camping and enjoy a weekend of boating, swimming, or camping. With 500 campsites, your sure to find one that’s perfect for you. And if you want to stay at a magical waterfall campground, be sure to check out Union Grove State Park for a memorable camping experience!
What are some great spots for fishing in Iowa?
There are some really great spots for fishing in Iowa. If small mouth bass are your go to fish, Big Spirit Lake is the best for smallmouth bass fishing in the spring. Clear Lake, at the south edge of the city of Clear Lake, offers a variety of fish, such as yellow bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, and even more! Lake Ahquabi is another awesome fishing spot where you can catch bluegill, black and white crappies, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Which spot are you going to check out?
