🌤 Weather at Three Mile Lake Recreation Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26–71 °F | 59–85 °F | 26–76 °F | 11–36 °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 Creston 2 SW, 10 mi away, elevation 1,296 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 Union County’s Largest Recreation Area — an 880-Acre Lake with Two Campgrounds, Log Cabins and a Lodge — Checked against Union County Conservation and Iowa DNR sources, October 2026
Three Mile Lake Recreation Area is not an Iowa state park. The Union County Conservation Board runs this 2,675-acre recreation area around an 880-acre lake, about 3 miles north of U.S. Highway 34 at Afton in southern Iowa. The county calls it its largest recreational facility, and it is open year-round.
Most of what you come here for is on or beside the water: 13 fishing jetties, a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier and nearly 24 miles of shoreline, a swimming beach, a hard-surface boat ramp, and two lakeside campgrounds with cabins and a log lodge. Around the lake, hundreds of acres of cover and food plots hold deer, wild turkey, pheasant and quail, and the lake has become a magnet for migrating ducks and geese.
What Makes Three Mile Lake Worth the Drive
Walleye, Wipers and Crappie
880-acre lake, up to 47 feet deep, stocked by the Iowa DNR with walleye, hybrid striped bass and blue catfish. Fishing jetties and an accessible pier.
Two Lakeside Campgrounds
Campsites with electrical hookups overlooking the lake, a year-round heated shower house, fish cleaning station and dump station. First come, first served.
Cabins and a Log Lodge
Heated and air-conditioned log cabins that sleep up to six, plus the Three Mile Lake Lodge for weddings, reunions and banquets.
Waterfowl Stopover
The lake draws migrating ducks and geese; the lake and surrounding wildlife area are a designated Canada goose refuge.
Activities
- 🎣 Fishing: Black and white crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, wipers (hybrid striped bass), channel and blue catfish, yellow perch. 13 fishing jetties, an accessible pier and nearly 24 miles of shoreline
- 🚤 Boating: Hard-surface boat ramp. The lower part of the lake is open to sailing, power boating and water skiing; the rest of the lake is no-wake. Inboards and personal watercraft (jet skis) are prohibited
- 🛶 Canoeing & kayaking: Listed by the county as an activity here; outside the lower lake, boats must keep to no-wake speed
- 🏊 Swimming: Swimming beach on the lake
- 🦌 Hunting: The recreation area is open to public hunting. Waterfowl hunting is allowed except for Canada geese, because the lake and surrounding wildlife area are a Canada goose refuge
- 🐦 Wildlife watching: Songbirds, migrating ducks and geese, white-tailed deer and wild turkey
When to Visit: Seasonal Guide
| Season | Months | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Summer | Jun–Aug | 🏆 Swimming beach, boating and water skiing on the lower lake, lakeside camping |
| 🍂 Fall | Sep–Nov | Migrating ducks and geese, hunting season, quieter campgrounds |
| 🌸 Spring | Apr–May | Waterfowl migration, fishing from the jetties and shoreline |
| ❄️ Winter | Dec–Feb | Heated cabins and the year-round shower house; the area stays open all year |
Water level: Union County reported the lake about 10 feet low in June 2025, after a lake renovation project and a dry spring. The Iowa DNR reported it about 12.5 inches above normal pool on September 30, 2026. Check the DNR lake page for the current ramp and lake conditions before you tow a boat.
Camping
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| ⛺ Sites | Two campgrounds overlooking the lake, with electrical hookups for RVs, trailers and tents |
| 🚿 Amenities | Year-round heated shower house with flush toilets, picnic sites, fish cleaning station, dump station |
| 💲 Rates | $20 per night electric, $15 per night non-electric (as of October 2026) |
| 📅 Reservations | Campsites are not reservable: first come, first served. Cabins and shelter houses are booked online through the county’s reservation page; the lodge by phone at (641) 347-5100 |
Budget Calculator
| Expense | Day Trip | Camping Weekend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | — | — | Union County Conservation lists no entry fee |
| Camping (2 nights) | — | $30–$40 | $15 non-electric to $20 electric per night, as of October 2026 |
| Fishing License | Required | Required | Iowa fishing license; see the Iowa fishing box on this page |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Three Mile Lake a state park?
No. Three Mile Lake Recreation Area belongs to the Union County Conservation Board, not to the Iowa state park system. The closest Iowa state park is Green Valley State Park, which Union County lists as managed by the State of Iowa.
Can I reserve a campsite?
No. Campsites are first come, first served. Cabins and shelter houses can be reserved online through the county’s reservation page, and the lodge by calling the Union County Conservation office at (641) 347-5100.
What fish are in the lake?
The Iowa DNR lists black and white crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, wipers (hybrid striped bass), channel, blue and flathead catfish, yellow bass and yellow perch. The DNR stocks walleye, wipers and blue catfish here.
Can I boat?
Yes. There is a hard-surface boat ramp. The lower part of the 880-acre lake is open to sailing, power boating and water skiing; the rest is no-wake. Inboards and personal watercraft are prohibited.
How do I get there?
Three Mile Lake is about 70 miles southwest of Des Moines, 3 miles north of U.S. Highway 34 at Afton, Union County, Iowa.
🌾 Southern Iowa’s Lake for a Long Weekend
Three Mile Lake keeps things simple: you pull into a lakeside campsite without a reservation, cast from one of the jetties as the light goes low, and listen to geese settling on the water at dusk. If you want a roof, book one of the log cabins well ahead. For current rates, rules and lake conditions, check with Union County Conservation before you go.
📍 Location: Three Mile Lake Recreation Area, 3 miles north of U.S. Highway 34 at Afton, IA 50830
📞 Phone: Union County Conservation, (641) 347-5100
More Parks Near Three Mile Lake
Nearby parks: Green Valley State Park and Pammel State Park. See the full Iowa state parks guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
⛺ Camping at Three Mile Lake Recreation Area: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 80 sites — Two campgrounds overlooking the lake for RVs, trailers and tents; Union County lists electrical hookups at the sites, $20 per night electric and $15 per night non-electric (as of October 2026). Picnic sites, a fish cleaning station and a dump station serve the campgrounds; a year-round heated shower house has flush toilets and sinks. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | Nine log camping cabins (Cabins 1-8 and the Lakeshore Cabin) with heat and air conditioning; Cabins 1-8 sleep 6. The county booking site lists $75-$85 per night for Cabin 1 and $100-$110 for the Lakeshore Cabin (October 2026). Two newer family-style cottages, Mallard and Pintail, sleep 10 and have full kitchens. |
| Pets | In the campground, pets must be controlled at all times and may not be tied to trees or other county property. The log cabins are pet friendly for a $40 flat fee; the Mallard and Pintail cottages are pet-free. |
| Reservations | Campsites are not reservable: first come, first served, with self-registration by envelope at the campground entrance. Cabins, cottages and shelter houses are booked online at mycountyparks.com; the lodge by calling the Union County Conservation office at (641) 347-5100. |
| Special sites | 1 lodge and 4 shelter houses available to rent. Three Mile Lake is a Union County recreation area, not an Iowa DNR state park. |
| Season notes | Open year-round; the heated shower house stays open all year. |
Camping questions about Three Mile Lake Recreation Area
Can you camp at Three Mile Lake Recreation Area?
Yes. Three Mile Lake Recreation Area has 80 campsites. Two campgrounds overlooking the lake for RVs, trailers and tents; Union County lists electrical hookups at the sites, $20 per night electric and $15 per night non-electric (as of October 2026). Picnic sites, a fish cleaning station and a dump station serve the campgrounds; a year-round heated shower house has flush toilets and sinks.
How do you reserve a campsite at Three Mile Lake Recreation Area?
Campsites are not reservable: first come, first served, with self-registration by envelope at the campground entrance. Cabins, cottages and shelter houses are booked online at mycountyparks.com; the lodge by calling the Union County Conservation office at (641) 347-5100.
Are there cabins at Three Mile Lake Recreation Area?
Nine log camping cabins (Cabins 1-8 and the Lakeshore Cabin) with heat and air conditioning; Cabins 1-8 sleep 6. The county booking site lists $75-$85 per night for Cabin 1 and $100-$110 for the Lakeshore Cabin (October 2026). Two newer family-style cottages, Mallard and Pintail, sleep 10 and have full kitchens.
Are pets allowed at the Three Mile Lake Recreation Area campground?
In the campground, pets must be controlled at all times and may not be tied to trees or other county property. The log cabins are pet friendly for a $40 flat fee; the Mallard and Pintail cottages are pet-free.
Source: mycountyparks.com (verified October 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
Park Map
Plan your gear for Three Mile Lake Recreation Area
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
