(Lewis) Iowa’s state parks welcomed over 759,000 campers last year, and officials are expecting another busy season ahead.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologist John Lorenzen, speaking during his weekly segment on KSOM, highlighted a few state parks featuring new or upgraded amenities. These include a brand-new campground playground at Viking Lake and a fully remodeled concession building at Lake Manawa.
Viking Lake State Park, located near Stanton, is a popular destination for both lake activities and camping. The 1,000-acre park features a blend of preserved natural areas rich with wildflowers and native plants, along with a 5.5-mile multi-use trail encircling the lake and the scenic one-mile Burr Oak Nature Trail.
Lake Manawa State Park, in Council Bluffs, remains one of western Iowa’s top outdoor destinations. Encompassing more than 1,500 acres, the park was created following a Missouri River flood in 1881 and has since become a hub for boating, hiking, and relaxing in nature. It continues to draw thousands of visitors each year.
