Pine Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pine Lake State Park |
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 Pine Lake State Park
Location in Iowa
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| Location | Hardin, Iowa, United States |
| Area | 585 acres (237 ha) |
| Elevation | 974 ft (297 m) |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
Pine Lake State Park is a fun place to visit in Iowa, United States. It's a state park that covers about 585 acres (237 hectares) of land. Inside the park, you'll find two beautiful lakes: Lower Pine Lake, which is about 50 acres (20 hectares), and Upper Pine Lake, which is about 69 acres (28 hectares). The park is located close to the towns of Eldora and Steamboat Rock. It's a great spot for outdoor adventures and enjoying nature!
Camping Adventures
If you love spending time outdoors, Pine Lake State Park has a big campground. There are 124 places where you can set up your tent or park your RV. Many of these spots have electricity, which is super handy! You'll also find modern showers and restrooms, plus a special station to empty your RV's waste.
About half of the campsites are available for people who arrive first. The other half can be reserved ahead of time online. This means you can plan your trip and make sure you have a spot waiting for you!
Cozy Historic Cabins
Did you know Pine Lake State Park has some really cool cabins? There are four special cabins made from stone and timber. These cabins were built a long time ago in the 1930s by groups called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These groups helped build many parks and public places during a tough time in history.
Today, you can rent these historic cabins for your stay. They are a great way to experience the park's history while enjoying a cozy place to sleep. You can reserve them online through the park's booking system.
Exploring Park Trails
Get ready to explore! Pine Lake State Park has more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) of trails. These trails wind around the lakes and through the park's natural areas. As you walk or bike, you'll see special markers that point out interesting things along the way. You can pick up a trail brochure at the trailheads, the campground, or the park office to learn more about what you're seeing.
There's also a longer bike route called the Lake-to-Lake State Park Bike Route. It's about 50 miles (80 kilometers) long and connects Pine Lake State Park to George Wyth Memorial State Park. It's a fantastic way to see more of Iowa's beautiful scenery on two wheels!
Fun on the Lakes
Both Lower Pine Lake and Upper Pine Lake are great for fishing! They are stocked with different kinds of fish, including bass, crappie, northerns, and catfish. The Iowa River also runs along part of the park. It's known for its channel catfish and smallmouth bass. So, if you like to fish, you'll have plenty of chances to catch something!
If you want to cool off, there's a nice beach on the lower lake where you can swim. You can also bring your own boat or canoe to the park. There are boat ramps on both lakes to help you get your boat into the water easily. Just remember, only electric motors are allowed on the boats here to keep the lakes peaceful and clean.
