Lake Darling State Park
Open for the season April 1 through October 31. The campground is 100% reservable; no walk-in sites are available. Reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance through Iowa State Parks ReserveAmerica or by phone at (877) 427-2757.
Flood Warning issued September 20 at 10:02AM CDT until September 23 at 6:25PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Iowa... Iowa River near Lone Tree affecting Louisa, Washington and Johnson Counties. * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Iowa River near Lone Tree. * WHEN...Until Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, Sand Road closes south of 520th Street to the Highway 22 intersection. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:00 AM CDT Sunday the stage was 15.7 feet and rising. - Forecast...The river will rise above flood stage this afternoon to 16.8 feet this evening. It may fall briefly, but likely to rise again Monday night into Tuesday to 17.5 feet. It will then fall below flood stage Wednesday. - Flood stage is 16.0 feet.
Flood Watch issued September 20 at 9:24AM CDT until September 20 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall overnight continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of Illinois, including the following areas, Bureau, Carroll, Henry IL, Jo Daviess, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson and Whiteside and Iowa, including the following areas, Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott and Washington. * WHEN...Until 1 PM CDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Area creeks and streams are running high and could flood with more heavy rain. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Heavy rains have ended over the area, but many area creeks are running high and in some cases, are flooding this morning. This areal flooding will continue this morning, with additional rainfall amounts under one quarter inch.
Flood Warning issued September 20 at 8:06AM CDT until September 20 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues. * WHERE...Southern Cedar County in east central Iowa... Iowa County in east central Iowa... Johnson County in east central Iowa... Muscatine County in east central Iowa... Keokuk County in southeastern Iowa... Northwestern Louisa County in southeastern Iowa... Washington County in southeastern Iowa... * WHEN...Until 200 PM CDT. * IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable. Expect many areas of slow moving or standing water. It will take several hours for all the water from these storms to work through local drainage systems in urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 804 AM CDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain of 2 to 5 inches occurred since last evening across the area. This heavy rain falling on saturated ground has resulted in flooding of low lying areas, streams, creeks, rivers and poorly drained areas. The threat for heavy rain has ended, but runoff will delay the fall of water levels and improvement in conditions. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Iowa City, Muscatine, Washington, Tipton, Marengo, West Branch, Sigourney, Columbus Junction, Durant, Coralville, North Liberty, West Liberty, Williamsburg, Wilton, Kalona, Tiffin, Wellman, Lone Tree and University Heights. - This includes the following highways... Interstate 80 in Iowa between mile markers 205 and 277. Interstate 380 between mile markers 1 and 7.
About
Lake Darling State Park is located in the rolling hills of southeastern Iowa's Washington County. The park centers on a 302-acre lake constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, named after conservationist Jay N. "Ding" Darling. The campground sits along the lake's shore, providing easy access to fishing, swimming at the beach, and boating via two boat ramps. The campground offers 80 campsites spread across several site types: 15 full-hookup sites with water, sewer, and electric connections; approximately 50 standard electric sites with 20/30/50 amp service; and 15 non-electric sites for tent campers. Modern restroom and shower facilities serve the campground, along with a dump station and playground. Back-in sites accommodate rigs from 41 to 61 feet. Beyond camping, the park features a 13.6-mile multi-use trail circling the lake that serves hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Fishing for bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie is popular from the shore, docks, or by boat. The park also offers 11 cabins ranging from basic camping cabins to modern family units with full kitchens.
Directions
From Washington, Iowa, take Iowa Highway 1 south approximately 3 miles to the park entrance. The park is located at 111 Lake Darling Road, Brighton, IA 52540.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | Yes |
| Sewer Hookups | Yes |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $15 - $400 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 110ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Contact
| Lake_Darling@dnr.iowa.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (319) 694-2323 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
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