Cold Springs State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Lewis City Park Griswold Park
Last Updated: December 4, 2025
Cold Springs State Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts visiting Iowa.
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Summary
Located in the northeast corner of the state, the park spans over 400 acres and offers a range of activities including hiking, camping, fishing, and boating.
One of the main attractions at Cold Springs is the 40-acre lake, which is open for fishing and boating. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish including catfish, bass, and bluegill. Visitors can rent boats and fishing gear from the park office.
Another point of interest is the park's extensive trail system, which includes over 7 miles of hiking trails. The trails wind through wooded areas and offer scenic views of the lake and surrounding countryside.
For those looking to spend the night, Cold Springs State Park offers both primitive and modern camping options. The modern campsites include electric hookups and shower facilities, while the primitive sites offer a more rustic camping experience.
Interesting facts about the park include the fact that it was originally developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a government program that provided jobs to unemployed young men during the Great Depression. Additionally, the park is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, foxes, and numerous bird species.
The best time of year to visit Cold Springs State Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Fishing and boating are popular in the summer months, while hiking and camping may be more enjoyable in the cooler fall and spring seasons. Winter also offers opportunities for ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Cold Spring Park
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Cocklin Fish Farm
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Sunnyside Park Campground
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Pilot Grove Co Park
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Lewis City Park
Griswold Park
Pilot Grove County Park