Elk Rock State Park park
Elk Rock State Park
One of the main attractions of the park is the Elk Rock itself, a massive rock formation that towers over the Des Moines River. Visitors can hike to the top of the rock for a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. The park also has several trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, including the 12-mile Sac & Fox Trail.
Other points of interest in the park include the Elk Rock State Park Lodge, which was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the park's campground, which has over 50 campsites and several cabins available for rental.
In terms of interesting facts, Elk Rock State Park was originally established in 1935 as part of a larger Iowa State Park system. It was named after a nearby town that was flooded by the construction of the Red Rock Dam in the 1960s. The park's location along the Des Moines River also makes it a popular spot for fishing, with several species of fish such as catfish, bass, and walleye found in the river.
The best time of year to visit Elk Rock State Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers different activities depending on the season. In the summer, visitors can enjoy swimming and boating on the river, while in the winter, the park is a popular spot for ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Elk Rock State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Rock State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Roberts Creek Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Whitebreast - Red Rock Lake | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Wallashuck - Red Rock Lake | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Ivans - Red Rock Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| North Overlook - Red Rock Lake | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Elk Rock State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Elk Rock State Park
What can I do at Elk Rock State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Elk Rock State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Elk Rock State Park.