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.
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 1 at 9:06PM CDT until July 2 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL
* WHAT...Dangerously hot and humid conditions with multiple days of heat index values of 100 to 110 expected, along with nighttime lows not falling below the mid to upper 70s. * WHERE...Portions of northwest and west central Illinois, east central and southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The extreme heat may persist through late week, but thunderstorms and associated clouds may interrupt the heat at times Thursday and Friday.
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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