Lake Iowa ready for summer crowds

LADORA — The power is on. The water is on. Lake Iowa is ready for the summer camping season.

The campground is open all year-round, said Iowa County Conservation Director Jacob Slings, but the power and water are shut off in the fall.

When May rolls around, Iowa County Conservation fires up the park for the summer season, with amenities for overnight campers and for day use.

Lake Iowa Park, on G Avenue south of Ladora, has 122 camping spots and two tent camping spots. Camp sites are $20 a night with electrical hookup and access to water.

Tent camping is $10 during camping season, May through September.

In the off season, sites with electric are $10 and tent camping is $7.

Campers register themselves at the kiosk.

“We do offer firewood,” said Slings. It’s $8 a bundle, but campers can bring in their own wood.

Iowa County Conservation removed trees and shrubs that blocked the view of the lake from camping and picnic areas, getting rid of what Slings called “a wall of vegetation.”

“We really capitalized on improving the view in the park,” said Slings.

The conservation department removed sand from the playground and replaced it with mulch to eliminate the problem of sand bees.

They put 50-amp hookups at 26 more sites and installed new markers with reflective numbers. “You can see the numbers clearly now,” said Slings.

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The Lake also has two cabins for rent for $110 a night. A deck at the back of each cabin overlooks the lake. The cabins have bathrooms, kitchenettes and beds that will accommodate eight people.

Cabins may be reserved online at mycountypark.com.

The beach will open Memorial Day weekend. It has no lifeguard, and pets and glass are not allowed at the beach.

Jon boats are available for rent by the hour or $25 for eight hours.

The Lake has shelter houses and picnic tables for gatherings and a bird blind for bird enthusiasts. It has two shower houses for campers.

Slings is in his second year as director of Iowa County Conservation and is looking forward to seeing last year’s camper return. “It was nice getting to meet everybody,” he said “[I’m] excited to see people get back outdoors.

“Everybody’s put in a lot of work just to make Iowa County better,” Slings said.

Lake Iowa offers fishing, hiking, disk golf and hunting in season and in designated areas. Trail heads are marked along the road, including an equestrian trail. Parking is restricted to designated areas.

The lake is a good place for star gazing, Park Ranger Philip DeJarnatt said. There’s little light noise to corrupt the view.

Sue and Rick Van Dee, of Tama, set up camp around their recreational vehicle near one of the shower houses overlooking the lake Thursday. They were waiting for other family members to join them.

Sue and Rick camp at the lake more than five times a year, they said, and they have a family reunion there every June.

“It’s quiet and pretty,“ said Sue. The shower house is well maintained.

They’ve been visiting Lake Iowa for about 30 years, said Rick. “It’s a nice park.”

Education at the lake

The Lake hosts learning events all summer. The 12th Annual Outdoor Adventure, presented by Iowa County Conservation and Iowa County Pheasants Forever, is set for Saturday, June 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The family friendly event exposes the public to “all things outdoors,” said Naturalist Mary Blair.

Those in attendance can try slack-lining, turkey calling, insect netting, archery live game programs and shooting.

Children must be accompanied by adults, but adults are welcome to attend even if they don’t bring children.

Register at mycountyparks.com

Various summer day camps are planned for June and July, said Blair. Day camps include story time for children 3-5 years old, exploration of prairies and ponds for children 6-9 and fishing and birding while kayaking and wild foraging and cooking for 10- to 13-year-olds.

The camps are free thanks to Friends of Iowa County Conservation Foundation. Register at mycountyparks.com.

Lake Iowa Nature Center is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from June 7 through Aug. 9. Programs begin at 1 a.m. each Saturday. The June 7 program will be all about flowers, and the June 21 program will introduce children to snakes.

See the website for other dates and subjects.

Volunteers are always welcome at Lake Iowa Park, said Slings. This month students from Williamsburg, English Valleys and Iowa Valley put down mulch, cleaned out fire pits, removed sticks and prepared the park for summer.