Lake Manawa State Park

Open — Closed for the season October 16 through April 14. Reopens April 15 for camping. Reservations accepted April 15 through October 15. Limited to 14 nights in any 30-day period.

About

Lake Manawa State Park encompasses 1,529 acres surrounding a beautiful 753-acre natural oxbow lake formed during an 1881 Missouri River flood. The name "Manawa" is a Native American term meaning "peace and comfort," reflecting the park's role as one of western Iowa's premier outdoor recreation facilities in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area. The modern campground features 41 full-hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer, including multiple 80-foot pull-through sites ideal for large RVs. All sites are 100% reservable and accessed through a secure keypad gate system. Amenities include modern restrooms with showers, a dump station, firewood sales, and paved trails connecting directly to the beach and Dream Playground, Iowa's largest ADA-accessible playground at 18,000 square feet. The 753-acre lake supports unlimited horsepower boating with boat ramps on the north, south, and west sides, plus Missouri River access. Anglers enjoy excellent populations of bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, and catfish year-round from accessible piers, a fishing jetty, or boats. Seven miles of paved trails connect to the extensive Council Bluffs trail system including the Wabash Trace Trail and Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge, while eight miles of unpaved trails offer mountain biking opportunities. The lifeguarded beach operates Memorial Day through Labor Day with concessions offering food, rentals for tubes, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The Lake Manawa Sailing Association provides sailing opportunities with dry storage for 110 boats and wet slips. Five reservable picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, and seasonal events including Winter-Fest Ice Fishing Derby and Fourth of July fireworks complete the recreation offerings.

Directions

Take exit 47 off I-29, go west on Highway 92 about 0.5 miles to East Manawa Drive and follow to the east entrance. From I-80, take exit 3 south on South Expressway 1 mile to Highway 92, west to South 11th Street, then south to South Shore Drive for the west entrance.

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