Lake Keomah State Park

Open — Currently open through December 31, 2025, for first-come, first-served camping. The campground closes January 1 through March 31, 2026, for winter and renovations. Reopens April 1, 2026, with 100% reservable sites. Shower buildings are closed for the season and reopen mid-April 2026. The lake is being drained for reconstruction through spring 2026; beach, lodge, and shelters remain closed during this project.

About

Lake Keomah State Park encompasses 366 acres of beautiful woods and water in southern Iowa near Oskaloosa. Named from the first three letters of Keokuk and Mahaska counties, the park was dedicated in 1934 with many facilities constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The campground features 44 campsites with 37 electric hookups and 7 non-electric sites, along with modern showers, flush restrooms, and a trailer dump station. The park offers a three-mile walking trail that winds around the lake and through varied habitats where visitors may spot bullfrogs, great blue herons, and quail. Two boat ramps provide lake access for fishing and boating, though only electric trolling motors are permitted on the water. Recreational opportunities include fishing for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish, plus an unsupervised swimming beach and accessible fishing pier. Winter activities include ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and sledding. The park is currently undergoing a major lake reconstruction project through spring 2026 to improve water quality and fishing habitat, with the beach, lodge, and shelters temporarily closed during renovations.

Directions

From Oskaloosa, take Highway 92 east four miles to Queen Avenue and turn right. Drive about one mile to the park entrance.

Nearby Campgrounds