Pilot Knob State Park
Open — Open year-round for camping. During winter months, modern facilities including water, flush toilets, and shower buildings are closed. From November 1 through March 31, campsites operate first-come-first-served with no advance reservations. A warming house with heat and electricity is available for rent in winter.
Blizzard Warning issued March 15 at 10:32PM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
...BLIZZARD CONDITIONS CONTINUE TONIGHT... .Although snow tapers off late this evening into the early overnight, strong wind gusts will continue to result in significant blowing and drifting of snow keeping visibility degraded with white-out conditions at times, especially in rural and open areas. Travel will remain dangerous if not impossible at times. * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 55-60 mph. * WHERE...All of central Iowa. * WHEN...Until 7 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult. Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage.
Cold Weather Advisory issued March 15 at 8:21PM CDT until March 16 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
* WHAT...For the High Wind Warning, northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills of 20 to 25 below or lower expected. * WHERE...Portions of northern, central, and west central Iowa. * WHEN...For the High Wind Warning, until 4 AM CDT Monday. For the Cold Weather Advisory, from 1 AM to 10 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. With snowfall, white-out conditions are expected at times. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
High Wind Warning issued March 15 at 8:21PM CDT until March 16 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
* WHAT...For the High Wind Warning, northwest winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills of 20 to 25 below or lower expected. * WHERE...Portions of northern, central, and west central Iowa. * WHEN...For the High Wind Warning, until 4 AM CDT Monday. For the Cold Weather Advisory, from 1 AM to 10 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. With snowfall, white-out conditions are expected at times. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
About
Pilot Knob State Park in northern Iowa is one of the earliest additions to the state park system, dedicated in 1924. The park's centerpiece is a CCC-era observation tower perched atop Pilot Knob, the second highest point in Iowa, providing sweeping vistas of the surrounding landscape. The tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers visitors breathtaking panoramic views. The park encompasses 700 acres and features diverse recreational opportunities. The campground contains 60 campsites, including 48 with electrical hookups and some full hookup sites. Modern amenities include shower buildings, flush restrooms, and a trailer dump station. A 15-acre man-made lake provides excellent fishing for bass, bluegill, and catfish, with ice fishing popular during winter months. The park offers five miles of equestrian trails along with hiking trails, and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are popular winter activities. Pilot Knob contains some of Iowa's most unique ecological features, including Dead Man's Lake, a 4-acre floating sphagnum bog that is the only one of its kind in Iowa. Due to its high acidity, the bog supports specially adapted flora and waterfowl species. The park also features an open-air amphitheater built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, two reservable picnic shelters, and a warming house with heat and electricity available for rent during winter.
Directions
From Forest City, Iowa, drive 3 miles east on Highway 9. Turn right (south) onto 205th Avenue and continue for 1 mile to reach the park entrance.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | Yes |
| Sewer Hookups | Yes |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 - $35 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 70ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Contact
| Pilot_Knob@dnr.iowa.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (641) 581-4835 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!