Rock Creek State Park facts for kids
For the park in Washington, D.C. see Rock Creek Park
Quick facts for kids Rock Creek State Park |
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Bridge over Rock Creek Lake for County Road F27
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 Rock Creek State Park
Location in Iowa
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| Location | Jasper, Iowa, United States |
| Area | 1,697 acres (6.87 km2) |
| Elevation | 922 ft (281 m) |
| Established | 1952 |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Rock Creek State Park |
Rock Creek State Park is a fun state park located in Iowa, a state in the United States. You can find it in Jasper County, close to the town of Kellogg. It's a great place to visit if you love nature and outdoor activities!
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Exploring Rock Creek State Park
This park is quite large, covering about 1,697 acres of land. It was officially opened in 1952, which means it has been a popular spot for over 70 years!
Fun Activities at the Park
Rock Creek State Park offers many exciting things to do. You can launch your boat from one of the many docks and enjoy the water. There are also special areas for picnics, perfect for having lunch outdoors with your family and friends.
If you like camping, the park has campgrounds where you can set up your tent or park your RV. For those who love to explore, there are trails for both horseback riding and hiking. You can walk or ride through the beautiful scenery.
Winter Fun
Even in winter, Rock Creek State Park is a cool place to be! The lake, which is about 602 acres, can freeze over when it gets very cold. This makes it a popular spot for winter sports. You can go cross-country skiing across the snowy landscape or zoom around on a snowmobile.
Park Location and Visitors
The city of Grinnell is only about 7 miles (11 km) east of the park. Because it's so close, and there's even a bike path connecting them, many students from Grinnell College love to visit Rock Creek State Park. It's a perfect escape for them to enjoy nature.
Fishing at Rock Creek Lake
Fishing is one of the most popular activities at Rock Creek. The lake is home to many different kinds of fish.
Here are some of the fish you might catch:
- Black and White Crappie
- Largemouth Bass
- White Bass
- Channel Catfish
- Black Bullhead
- Bluegill
- Green Sunfish
- Freshwater Drum
- Walleye
You might even find some Golden Shiners, though they are less common. Sometimes, anglers have caught large Golden Shiners while trying to catch other fish!
