🌤 Weather at Lake Ahquabi State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27–72 °F | 60–86 °F | 28–78 °F | 12–37 °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 Indianola 2W, 6 mi away, elevation 924 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Lake Ahquabi State Park is a public state park in Iowa near Indianola in Warren County. Its name is a Sauk and Fox word for “resting place,” and the park rings a 115-acre lake that is no-wake for every boat.
Quick Facts
| State | Iowa |
| Nearest City | Indianola |
| County | Warren County |
| Park Size | 770 acres |
| Google Rating | ⭐ 4.5/5 (400 reviews) |
Location & Getting There
Lake Ahquabi State Park is located near Indianola, Iowa. The park’s coordinates are 41.2900, -93.5925.
Things to Do
Ahquabi is a Sauk and Fox word for “resting place,” and the 770-acre park lives up to it: a 115-acre man-made lake, no-wake for every boat regardless of motor size, ringed by more than six miles of trails you can walk, bike, and in winter ski or snowmobile. The sand beach has a designated but unsupervised swim area, and from Memorial Day to Labor Day the beach concession rents paddleboats, canoes and kayaks and sells bait, firewood and snacks.
The fishing is the quiet story here. In 2021 the DNR drained the lake to remove gizzard shad, dredged sediment and rebuilt the habitat, then restocked from scratch — 13,000 bluegill and 11,000 channel catfish in 2023, plus largemouth bass. By the DNR’s end-of-2025 survey, the first lake-hatched bass had reached 10–12 inches, bluegill ran 4.5–7 inches, and black crappie showed up in strength at 7–8 inches with a good share topping 9. Two boat ramps, a covered accessible fishing pier and several shoreline jetties put you on that water; a dock-mounted fish-cleaning station went in in 2023.
Best Time to Visit
The campground runs March through November and closes December through February, so this is a three-season park with a winter trail bonus. Peak rates and the 2-night weekend minimum apply May 1 through October 15; from mid-October every site drops to $20, and the lake gets very quiet. Summer belongs to the beach and the rental fleet; spring and fall to anglers working a fishery that is still young and improving each year.
Visitor Tips
There are no tickets and no entry fee — Iowa state parks charge nothing at the gate (the one non-resident fee pilot, at a different park, ended January 1, 2026). What you pay for is camping: 52 full-hookup sites at $38 a night, 41 electric sites at $26, a 120-person youth group site at $25 — all $20 in the off-season — with modern restrooms, showers and a dump station, bookable up to 3 months ahead at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com ($4.50 online fee). There are no cabins here. The 1936 Civilian Conservation Corps stone lodge overlooking the lake rents for $50–$100 a day and books solid for reunions and weddings — as of September 2026.
The park sits 6 miles south of Indianola and 22 miles south of Des Moines: take US 65/69 south from Indianola about five miles to the split, then west on Warren County G58. Park office: 515-961-7101.
Fees, seasons and fishery data verified against iowadnr.gov on September 2, 2026. Fees change — confirm before you travel.
Explore More Iowa State Parks
Lake Ahquabi 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
Lake Ahquabi SP — 770 acres — one of Iowa’s first state parks. The park’s CCC-built stone structures (1934) are on the National Register of Historic Places. The lake, oak-hickory forest, and prairie support bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and red foxes. Largemouth bass and bluegill provide fishing.
Nearby Attractions
Indianola — 5 miles north — home of the National Balloon Classic. Des Moines — 25 miles north.
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Walnut Woods State Park is within about an hour’s drive, and Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park is within about an hour’s drive.
⛺ Camping at Lake Ahquabi State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 94 sites — Standard Full Hook-Up 52 sites (20/30/50 amp, water/sewer, RV lengths 60-85 ft) and Standard Electric 41 sites (20/30/50 amp, RV lengths 55-105 ft); 1 Youth Group Only site outside the main campground near the North Shelter. Modern, ADA-accessible restrooms with showers; picnic table and fire ring at each site. |
|---|---|
| Pets | Pets allowed on a leash not exceeding 6 feet at all times; may not be left unattended in the campground or allowed to run at large; not permitted on the beach. |
| Reservations | 100% of campsites reservable at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or (877) 427-2757, up to 3 months in advance; park office (515) 961-7101. |
| Special sites | Dump station on site; CCC-built stone lodge reservable May 1 - October 15; paddleboat, canoe and kayak rentals at the beach concessionaire in peak season. |
| Season notes | Campground season runs March 1 - November 30; accepts reservations March through November, closed December through February. |
Camping questions about Lake Ahquabi State Park
Can you camp at Lake Ahquabi State Park?
Yes. Lake Ahquabi State Park has 94 campsites. Standard Full Hook-Up 52 sites (20/30/50 amp, water/sewer, RV lengths 60-85 ft) and Standard Electric 41 sites (20/30/50 amp, RV lengths 55-105 ft); 1 Youth Group Only site outside the main campground near the North Shelter. Modern, ADA-accessible restrooms with showers; picnic table and fire ring at each site.
How do you reserve a campsite at Lake Ahquabi State Park?
100% of campsites reservable at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or (877) 427-2757, up to 3 months in advance; park office (515) 961-7101.
Are pets allowed at the Lake Ahquabi State Park campground?
Pets allowed on a leash not exceeding 6 feet at all times; may not be left unattended in the campground or allowed to run at large; not permitted on the beach.
Source: iowadnr.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Lake Ahquabi 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 Lake Ahquabi 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 Lake Ahquabi State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
