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Iowa
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Iowa State Parks

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USA Parks
Iowa
Southeast Region
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
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Lacey-Keosauqua State Park © Angela Cremer
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park © Amber Biggs
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park © Angela Cremer
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LACEY-KEOSAUQUA STATE PARK
LACEY-KEOSAUQUA STATE PARK
P.O. Box 398
Keosauqua, Iowa   52565

Phone: 319-293-3502
Reservations: 319-293-3502
Email: park email button icon
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park is one of the largest and most picturesque of Iowa state parks and recreation areas. The park's 1,653 acres of hills, bluffs and valleys wind along the Des Moines River in Van Buren County.

During the middle of the 19th century, the great Mormon trek westward across Iowa occurred. Ely Ford, now the site of a beautiful picnic area, was a river crossing point. It is now a component of the Mormon Pioneer Trail.

Originally, the park was named "Big Bend," but when it was dedicated in 1921, a more colorful name was sought. For the next five years, it was called Keosauqua, a Native American term meaning "the stream bearing a floating mass of snow, slush, or ice." In 1926, the name was changed to Lacey-Keosauqua in honor of Major John Fletcher Lacey who fought in the Civil War, was elected to Iowa House of Representatives in 1868, and by 1888, was a member of Congress. Major Lacey campaigned for conservation legislation long before Teddy Roosevelt and was instrumental in the establishment of a state park system in Iowa.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Huntingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Swimming Beachyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
 Electric Sitesyes
 Full Hookup Sitesyes
WinterActivitiesyes
Lodge
A lodge may also be reserved through the park manager. The lodge is an excellent place for group events such as wedding receptions and family reunions.
Cabins
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park offers 6 family cabins. The cabins can be reserved for a fee through the Internet at www.reserveiaparks.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-IAPARKS. For more background information on the the park reservation system click here. Cabins provide all of the comforts of home while bringing visitors a great outdoor experience. All cabins include modern facilities.
Camping
Lacey-Keosauqua's beautiful, shaded campground features 113 campsites (45 with electrical hook-ups), modern rest rooms, shower facilities, and a trailer dump station. Starting February 13, 2006 advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Swimming
1. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park offers a beautiful beach for swimming on the shore of Lake Keomah.
2. Lifeguards are not provided, so swim at your own risk.
3. The park's lake is open to swimmers from sunrise to sunset daily during summer months.
4. Swimming outside designated areas or after hours is strictly prohibited in this state park.
5. Restrooms and changing facilities are available near the swimming area for convenience.

Boating
The park offers a variety of boating options for visitors. There is an unsupervised beach where you can launch your own boat, and the 30-acre lake within the park allows motorized boats at no-wake speeds. Canoes are also available to rent from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in two beautiful lakes, teeming with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. A valid Iowa license is required.



Picnicking
Lacey-Keosauqua is a wonderful place for a family cook-out. It is one of the prettiest parks where you can get together and enjoy a meal in the outdoors. Three open picnic shelters are available and may be reserved for a fee through the park manager. The picnic shelter near the east entrance of the park is accessible to the mobility impaired.
Bicycling
Biking enthusiasts should be aware that the park offers several miles of multi-use trails. However, these are not specifically designed for biking and can present challenges due to their rugged nature.

The terrain is hilly with steep inclines in some areas which may require a higher level of fitness or experience from riders. It's important to note that there aren't any dedicated bike rental facilities within the vicinity so visitors must bring their own equipment.

Furthermore, it's crucial to remember safety measures such as wearing helmets and following trail etiquette while sharing paths with pedestrians or wildlife inhabitants. Lastly, always check weather conditions before setting out on your ride.
Trails
The park's hiking trails wind among the valleys and cliffs along the Des Moines River. On the trails, it is often possible to see many types of wildlife including deer, raccoons, opossums, gray squirrels, red foxes, and numerous species of bird life. The variety of plants, trees and shrubs; many of them more than 200 years old; make hiking at the park an exciting and educational experience.
Birding
The park offers a variety of birding opportunities with over 200 species spotted. It features diverse habitats including hardwood forests, riverbanks and lake shores that attract different birds. Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting migratory waterfowl in the spring and fall seasons along the Des Moines River corridor within this area. The park's hiking trails provide excellent vantage points for observing woodland songbirds like warblers or woodpeckers.
Area Attractions
A Forest Crafts Festival is held at Lacey Keosauqua State Park the second weekend of October. The festival features woodcraft demonstrations and sales, forest and wildlife management demonstrations and buckskinners. Nearby Keosauqua has a parade, carnival and other related events.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
January 15 fond memory of a brief visit by Danial T.
park review stars; one to five We had picnic lunch there in September 1980 when my wife, our baby, and I, were driving to Chicago from San Diego. My grandfather grew up in Van Buren County before he moved to California long ago, and that made my visit particularly poignant and sweet. The woods were wonderful and lovely. Now that I am retired I want to go back and camp a few nights. I have since learned that my great-grandfather was buried in 1894 at Fellows Cemetery just down the road a piece.
August 20 Great get-a-way by Maria
park review stars; one to five We always enjoy camping at Lake Lacey. The hiking trails are well kept and beautiful! We love how it is so close to historic towns and to Keosauqua. Ice cream is not far! Definetly, our favorite place to camp!
May 30 Kinda cool but muddy
park review stars; one to five We got there and it was really muddy and some of the ravines are steep. but exclent place to camp with guinea pigs and dogs...
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