(Des Moines) Iowa state parks will open modern restrooms, shower buildings and cabins starting Friday, May 22 in time for Memorial Day weekend. This means campgrounds will be open for all campers, including RVs, pop-ups and tent camping. Youth group campsites will remain closed.
Customers will need to call the local park office (for Backbone cabins, call the Backbone concessionaire) to rent a cabin with the earliest arrival date being Friday, May 22 or Saturday, May 23. Additionally, the state park online reservation system will be available today for state park cabin/yurt rentals with an arrival date of no earlier than Sunday, May 24, if available and beyond. Existing cabin/yurt reservations will be honored. Shelters, lodges, playgrounds, group camps, museums and visitor centers remain closed at this time.
Park visitors are reminded to avoid gatherings of groups larger than 10. DNR park staff will continue to remind and educate visitors to practice physical distancing while enjoying the park. Visitors should also be aware of the following guidelines:
-In campgrounds, only campers with overnight reservations will be allowed; no visitors.
-Only six overnight occupants per campsite will be allowed, unless immediate family contains more than six.
-Communal picnic tables and grills are open for use at your own risk.
-Beaches remain open, but will be monitored closely.
-For cabin rentals, all kitchenware such as dishes, pots and pans, has been removed; renters will need to bring their own from home. Additionally, the check-in time has been moved to 5:00 p.m. and check-out time to 9:00 a.m. (from 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m. respectively) to allow for more cleaning time between rentals.
-Some areas of parks and campgrounds may be closed due to construction or maintenance issues, so please check the specific closure information for each park before planning a camping trip.
For the latest closure information for state parks, campgrounds and trails, visit: www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures
