Red Haw State Park
Scenic Lakeside Campground in Southern Iowa — 420 Acres of Rolling Hardwood Forest, 72-Acre Red Haw Lake, Electric Hookup Campsites Overlooking the Lake, Modern Restrooms With Hot Showers, ADA-Accessible Sites Available, Trailer Dump Station, Sandy Swimming Beach, Fishing for Largemouth Bass Bluegill Channel Catfish and Stocked Rainbow Trout, Non-Motorized and Electric-Motor Boating With Boat Ramp, Hiking and Multiuse Trails Through Native Hardwoods, Spectacular October Fall Foliage, 100% Reservable Campground Open April Through October, Iowa DNR, Near Chariton Lucas County Iowa
Red Haw State Park is a 420-acre state park on 72-acre Red Haw Lake near Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The park features electric hookup campsites overlooking the lake with paved roads and pull-through sites, modern restrooms with hot showers, ADA-accessible camping sites, a trailer dump station, a sandy swimming beach on Red Haw Lake, fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout, non-motorized and electric-motor boating with a concrete boat ramp, hiking and multiuse trails through rolling native hardwood forest, picnic areas and reservable shelters, and spectacular fall foliage in October that draws leaf-peepers from across southern Iowa.
Red Haw is southern Iowa’s most popular family campground — the lakeside sites with sweeping views across 72-acre Red Haw Lake are among the most scenic in the Iowa State Park system. The campground is 100% reservable and fills up fast on summer weekends — book through the Iowa DNR reservation system well in advance.
The rolling terrain of native hardwood forest — oak, hickory, and maple — provides excellent fall color in October, making Red Haw a favorite leaf-peeping destination in the last weeks of the camping season. The trail system winds through wooded ridgelines and lake overlooks, offering surprisingly hilly terrain for Iowa.
Things to Do
- Camping — electric sites, lake views, ADA-accessible, 100% reservable
- Fishing — bass, bluegill, catfish, stocked trout
- Swimming — sandy beach on Red Haw Lake
- Boating — non-motorized + electric motors, boat ramp
- Hiking — trails through hardwood forest ridgelines
- Fall color — spectacular October foliage
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Chariton, Lucas County, IA |
| Size | 420 acres |
| Lake | Red Haw Lake — 72 acres |
| Camping | Electric hookups, ADA — 100% reservable |
| Season | April – October |
| Fishing | Bass, bluegill, catfish, stocked trout |
| Managed By | Iowa DNR |
| Coordinates | 40.9725° N, 93.2903° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Red Haw SP — 420 acres on Red Haw Lake. The park’s lake, prairie, and forest support bald eagles, wild turkeys, and white-tailed deer. Channel catfish, bass, and bluegill fill the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Chariton — adjacent. Lucas County — surrounding.
Does Red Haw State Park require camping reservations?
Yes — Red Haw State Park near Chariton, Iowa is 100% reservable and advance reservations are required through the Iowa DNR reservation system. The campground with electric hookup sites overlooking 72-acre Red Haw Lake is open April through October. The 420-acre park offers ADA-accessible camping, modern restrooms with hot showers, a sandy swimming beach, fishing for bass, bluegill, catfish, and stocked trout, boating (non-motorized and electric), and hiking trails through rolling hardwood forest with spectacular October fall color.
Last updated: May 2026
