🌤 Weather at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–73 °F | 60–86 °F | 29–78 °F | 14–37 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Keosauqua, 1 mi away, elevation 629 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park is a public state park in Iowa near Keosauqua in Van Buren County. Dedicated in 1920 as Big Bend State Park, it is Iowa’s second state park, set inside a horseshoe bend of the Des Moines River.
Quick Facts
| State | Iowa |
| Nearest City | Keosauqua |
| County | Van Buren County |
| Park Size | 1,662 acres |
| Established | 1920 |
Location & Getting There
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park is located near Keosauqua, Iowa. The park’s coordinates are 40.7183, -91.9875.
Things to Do
Lacey-Keosauqua is Iowa’s second state park, dedicated in 1920 as Big Bend State Park for the great horseshoe bend of the Des Moines River it sits inside, and it is still one of the state’s biggest at 1,662 acres of oak-hickory bluffs and ravines. Thirteen miles of trail work that terrain: the 5.1-mile River Trail runs the bluffs above the water, the Lake Trail circles the park in a 5.15-mile loop, and short spurs reach the two landmarks worth the walk — Ely Ford, the river crossing used by the Mormon migration west in the mid-1800s, and the 19 Woodland-culture burial mounds, 750 to 2,500 years old, on the ridge in the park’s northwest corner.
Lake Lacey is small — about 22 acres, electric motors only — but it carries a sand beach, an accessible fishing pier and a 1930s beach lodge; the fishing is bluegill, redear sunfish up to 11 inches, largemouth bass and channel catfish, and serious anglers drive two miles to 575-acre Lake Sugema. A ramp on the Des Moines River opens the big water, where channel catfish, shovelnose sturgeon, freshwater drum and hybrid stripers run. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the park’s stone gatehouse, lodges and shelters in the 1930s, and the gatehouse now holds Iowa’s first CCC Worker memorial statue.
Best Time to Visit
Water, showers and the dump station run from mid-April to mid-October, and off-season camping (October 16 through April 30) drops every hookup site to $20. Fall is the bluff country’s best month — the oak-hickory canopy over the river bend turns late — and the Gate House Trail is marked for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling once the snow comes. The Beach Lodge is available April 15 through October 31; the larger Lacey-Keosauqua Lodge rents year-round.
Visitor Tips
Iowa charges no entrance fee here. The campground has 64 sites — 13 full-hookup ($36 a night in peak season, May 1–October 15), 10 water-and-electric ($30), 28 electric ($24) and 13 non-electric ($16), with modern showers — reservation required, bookable 3 months ahead at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com, with a holiday-weekend surcharge. Six modern studio cabins (one ADA) with cooktop, microwave and fridge cost $75 a night or $450 a week, bookable 12 months out — as of September 2026. Two day-use lodges (48 and 75 inside) rent for $50 on weekdays and $100 on weekends; two open shelters go for $30–$35.
The entrance is at 22895 Lacey Trail, an eighth of a mile from Keosauqua in Van Buren County (319-293-3502). The park is named for John F. Lacey, the Iowan the DNR credits with a decisive role in building the state’s park system. For a companion CCC lake park, Lake Wapello State Park lies to the west in Davis County.
Fees, seasons and facility details verified against iowadnr.gov on September 2, 2026. Fees change — confirm before you travel.
Explore More Iowa State Parks
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Iowa. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Iowa guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
Lacey-Keosauqua SP — 1,662 acres — one of Iowa’s largest and oldest state parks. The park’s Des Moines River horseshoe bend, bluffs, and forest support bald eagles, river otters, and timber rattlesnakes. The CCC-built lodge and shelters are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nearby Attractions
Keosauqua — adjacent. Van Buren County — surrounding — one of Iowa’s most scenic and historic counties. Bentonsport — nearby.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbor is Oakland Mills State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
⛺ Camping at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 65 sites — Standard Electric 28 sites, Standard Electric with Water 10 sites, Standard Full Hook-Up 13 sites, Standard Non-Electric 13 sites, and Youth Group Only 1 site; 20/30/50-amp service on electric and full hook-up sites. RV lengths 45-92 ft (pull-through 65-92 ft, back-in 45-83 ft). Modern restrooms and shower facilities. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 6 family cabins with cook-top stove, microwave, refrigerator and cookware; one cabin is ADA accessible. |
| Pets | Pets allowed on a leash (max 6 ft) or confined; may not be left unattended in the campground. |
| Reservations | 100% reservable at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or (877) 427-2757; park office (319) 293-3502. Accepts reservations April 1 - October 31. |
| Special sites | Trailer dump station on site; day-use lodge (ADA accessible); youth group site $15/night peak season. |
| Season notes | Campground closed November 1 - March 31 each year. |
Camping questions about Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
Can you camp at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park?
Yes. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park has 65 campsites. Standard Electric 28 sites, Standard Electric with Water 10 sites, Standard Full Hook-Up 13 sites, Standard Non-Electric 13 sites, and Youth Group Only 1 site; 20/30/50-amp service on electric and full hook-up sites. RV lengths 45-92 ft (pull-through 65-92 ft, back-in 45-83 ft). Modern restrooms and shower facilities.
How do you reserve a campsite at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park?
100% reservable at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or (877) 427-2757; park office (319) 293-3502. Accepts reservations April 1 - October 31.
Are there cabins at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park?
6 family cabins with cook-top stove, microwave, refrigerator and cookware; one cabin is ADA accessible.
Are pets allowed at the Lacey-Keosauqua State Park campground?
Pets allowed on a leash (max 6 ft) or confined; may not be left unattended in the campground.
Source: iowadnr.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Iowa state parks and recreation areas, including trails and campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash of six feet or less or confined.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash or chain not to exceed 6 feet, led or carried by the owner, or confined
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Animals are prohibited within designated beach areas statewide
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Only dogs or assistive animals are allowed in designated dog-friendly cabins/yurts (limit two dogs); all other cabins are pet-free; dogs must be kenneled if left unattended inside
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Hunting dogs in designated hunting areas during season are exempt from the leash rule; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds
Are dogs allowed at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park?
Pets are allowed in Iowa state parks and recreation areas, including trails and campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash of six feet or less or confined. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via iowadnr.gov. More: Iowa state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
