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Palo, IA
Change City

Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area

4530 McClintock Road
Palo, IA 52324

319-436-7716

Pleasant Creek Lake is one of the most popular boating spots in eastern Iowa. Four launching sites are conveniently located around the lake. These sites have a total of seven ramps for fishing, leisure boating and sailboating access. Any size boat motor may be operated at "no wake speeds."  

The idea for a state recreation area at Pleasant Creek originated in the early 1960s when the Iowa Conservation Commission (now the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) began investigating the possibility of a large lake to serve the outdoor recreation needs of a multi-county region of northeast Iowa. Today, a 410-acre lake and more than 1,500 acres of land are available to visitors conveniently close to the cities of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Palo and Waterloo/Cedar Falls. The lake offers a variety of fishing, boating and swimming opportunities. Trails offer visitors scenic views of wooded hills, marshy areas and meadows. The area is open year-round and provides a maximum of outdoor recreation activities.

Facilities and ActivitiesPicnicking/Shelters/LodgePleasant Creek is a great place for a family picnic. Picnic areas are located on the northeast and southeast shores. Several open shelters and the day-use lodge may reserved online through the park reservation system.CampingThe Pleasant Creek campground features a variety of campsites, including electrical hook-ups and 2 modern shower and rest room facilities. From the campground, campers have a pleasing view of much of the recreation area. Advance campsite reservations can be made through the park reservation system. One fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.CabinsFour camper cabins are available seasonally. The rustic pine log cabins offer visitors a sense of pioneer lifestyle. The cabins have electricity, microwave ovens, small refrigerators, basic furnishings, and covered porches. Visitors must provide their own bedding, towels, cooking utensils and other camping items. Cabins are located near the campgrounds so cabin users will have use of the shower and toilet facilities. The cabins can be reserved online through the park reservation system.TrailsThere are 8.5 miles of trails for hiking, snowmobiling, bicycling, cross-country skiing and equestrian riding, with connecting access to many area facilities and scenic overlooks. Contact the park office for trail closings due to wet conditions.Lake Activities (swimming, fishing, boating)The lake is one of the highest quality fishing lakes in the region and is stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and muskellunge. Shoreline fishing has been enhanced by the construction of jetties.Pleasant Creek is a relaxing place to spend a day at the beach. The swimming area is located on the north shore.Pleasant Creek Lake is one of the most popular boating spots in eastern Iowa. Four launching sites are conveniently located around the lake. These sites have a total of seven ramps for fishing, leisure boating and sailboating access. Any size boat motor may be operated at "no wake speeds."HuntingPleasant Creek State Recreation Area is open to public hunting and trapping. Popular species of game include rabbits, pheasants and quail. Pleasant Creek is also a popular site for organized dog field trials.The idea for a state recreation area at Pleasant Creek originated in the early 1960s when the Iowa Conservation Commission (now the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) began investigating the possibility of a large lake to serve the outdoor recreation needs of a multi-county region of northeast Iowa. Today, a 410-acre lake and more than 1,500 acres of land are available to visitors conveniently close to the cities of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Palo and Waterloo/Cedar Falls. The lake offers a variety of fishing, boating and swimming opportunities. Trails offer visitors scenic views of wooded hills, marshy areas and meadows. The area is open year-round and provides a maximum of outdoor recreation activities.AmenitiesWithin parkArchery, Beach, Bird Watching, Boat Launch Ramp, Boating, Cabins, Camping - Electric, Camping - Nonelectric, Camping - Youth Group, Camping Cabins, Canoeing, Cross Country Skiing, Day-use Lodge, Dock Slips, Dock, Boat, Dock, Fishing, Dump Station, Fish Cleaning Station, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Horseshoe Pits, Hunting, Interpretive Programs, Jogging/Running, Kayaking, Modern Campground, Mountain Biking, Park Lake, Picnic Area, Picnic Shelter, Playground, Restrooms, Restrooms, River, Showers, Snowmobiling, Swimming - Beach, Trail, Interpretive, Trails, Cross Country Skiing, Trails, Equestrian, Trails, Hiking, Trails, Mountain Bike, Trails, Snowmobile, Walking, Water Hydrants , Wildlife Viewing

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