George Wyth State Park

Closed — Closed for the season until April 1, 2026. The campground is 100% reservable and accepts reservations April through October. Starting in 2026, same-day reservations will be accepted.

About

George Wyth State Park is a 1,000-acre urban wildlife sanctuary located between Waterloo and Cedar Falls in Black Hawk County. Despite its proximity to metropolitan areas, the park offers a secluded natural setting abundant in woodlands and wildlife. The campground provides 74 total sites including 47 electric sites, 13 non-electric sites, 6 tent-only sites, 3 walk-to sites, and 1 youth group site, with modern showers, restrooms, and a dump station. All campsites feature picnic tables and fire pits. The park contains four distinct lakes: Brinker Lake (180 acres) allows power boating after 9 a.m., George Wyth Lake (75 acres) is a no-wake lake with a swimming beach and accessible fishing pier, Fisher Lake (40 acres) is a natural oxbow lake to the Cedar River, and Alice Wyth Lake (60 acres) permits electric motors only. Each lake has a boat ramp, and anglers can fish for crappie, bluegill, walleye, northern pike, bass, and channel catfish. The park features 3.5 miles of paved multi-use trails and 10 miles of soft trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trail system connects to a 100-mile regional trail network linking Waterloo and Cedar Falls. The Cedar Valley Paddlers Trail, a 10-mile looped water trail starting at Fisher Lake, offers paddling through all four park lakes and the Cedar River. Birders have documented over 200 species at the park's bird blind. A concession operates Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend offering kayak, paddleboard, canoe, and pedal boat rentals, plus snacks and supplies.

Directions

Located off Highway 218. From the south, take Highway 218 north to Broadway Street/Waterloo Airport Exit and follow signs. From the north, take Highway 218 south to Broadway Street/Waterloo Airport Exit, turn right at stoplight. From the west, take Highway 20 east to Highway 58 north to Highway 218 south, then Broadway Street/Waterloo Airport exit, turn right at stoplight. From the east, take Highway 20 west to Highway 218 north, then Broadway Street/Waterloo Airport exit.

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