Ready to go to the best beaches in Iowa? For an oceanfront getaway, you might have to travel halfway across the country – but that doesn’t mean you can’t find Iowa’s own personal slices of seaside paradise without ever leaving the Hawkeye State. From state parks to public lakeside beaches to unique retreats, these eight beaches will make you say “Atlantic Who?”.
- Lewis and Clark State Park
TravelIowa At the center of this park is the stunning Blue Lake, which is a popular spot for swimming, boating, and fishing.
- Red Rock Lake
TravelIowa This is Iowa’s largest lake, which definitely helps the ocean feel. You’ll usually find the lake full of canoes during the summer months, and it’s a popular spot for fishing.
- Big Creek State Park
TravelIowa This massive state park also has Iowa’s longest beach, and the artificial sand area is a popular spot for building sandcastles or just soaking up the sun.
- Prairie Rose State Park
TravelIowa The crystal-clear waters of Prairie Rose Lake make this a great spot for fishing, and camping facilities make it easy to take a multi-day getaway.
- Hillview Recreation Area
TravelIowa These large campgrounds have several small lakes nearby - and one has been given an artificial sand beach to create a tiny seaside getaway.
- West Lake Park
TravelIowa This large park has four different lakes open for fishing, boating, and swimming. Whether you want to get in the water or just soak in the cool lakeside air, this is a must-see getaway.
- Arnolds Park Public Beach
Vacation Okoboji Arnolds Park is the closest thing Iowa has to a traditional coastal boardwalk town - so it’s not a surprise that their public beach feels just like the ocean. This is a very popular spot during the summer.
- Honey Creek State Park
TravelIowa This top-tier resort located in the middle of a state park has access to a stunning lake - complete with a sand beach where guests and park visitors can soak up the sun.
Have you been to any of these Iowa beachside getaways? Let us know about your trips, or tell us any personal favorite beaches we didn’t cover, in the comments section. If you’re interested in another peaceful summer getaway in Iowa, make sure to check out the most remote lake in Iowa.
TravelIowa
At the center of this park is the stunning Blue Lake, which is a popular spot for swimming, boating, and fishing.
This is Iowa’s largest lake, which definitely helps the ocean feel. You’ll usually find the lake full of canoes during the summer months, and it’s a popular spot for fishing.
This massive state park also has Iowa’s longest beach, and the artificial sand area is a popular spot for building sandcastles or just soaking up the sun.
The crystal-clear waters of Prairie Rose Lake make this a great spot for fishing, and camping facilities make it easy to take a multi-day getaway.
These large campgrounds have several small lakes nearby - and one has been given an artificial sand beach to create a tiny seaside getaway.
This large park has four different lakes open for fishing, boating, and swimming. Whether you want to get in the water or just soak in the cool lakeside air, this is a must-see getaway.
Vacation Okoboji
Arnolds Park is the closest thing Iowa has to a traditional coastal boardwalk town - so it’s not a surprise that their public beach feels just like the ocean. This is a very popular spot during the summer.
This top-tier resort located in the middle of a state park has access to a stunning lake - complete with a sand beach where guests and park visitors can soak up the sun.
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Address: Big Creek State Park, 8794 NW 125th Ave, Polk City, IA 50226, USAAddress: Honey Creek State Park, 12194 Honey Creek Pl, Moravia, IA 52571, USAAddress: West Lake Park, 14910 110th Ave, Davenport, IA 52804, USAAddress: Lake Red Rock, Iowa, USAAddress: Arnolds Park Public Beach, Arnolds Park, IA 51331, USAAddress: Prairie Rose State Park, 680 Rd M47, Harlan, IA 51537, USAAddress: Lewis and Clark State Park, 21914 Park Loop, Onawa, IA 51040, USAAddress: Hillview Recreation Area, 25601 C60, Hinton, IA 51024, USA
