Iowa’s state park campgrounds are opening for the season April 1, with officials expecting another busy year for outdoor recreation.
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, staff have been preparing sites by cleaning facilities and turning on water systems throughout the month. Last year, state parks recorded more than 759,000 campers.
Beginning this year, all campsites in Iowa’s state park system will be fully reservable online or by phone. Previously, some sites were held for first-come, first-served campers.
Officials say the change is designed to improve convenience, allowing visitors to check availability in real time, make same-day reservations and adjust bookings as needed.
Reservations can be made online or by phone using a credit card, and campground kiosks will provide reservation information for visitors arriving without a booking.
More information, including park alerts and water availability, can be found on the DNR’s website.
