Lacey Keosauqua State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 4, 2025
Lacey Keosauqua State Park is a beautiful park located near the Des Moines River in the southeastern part of Iowa.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
It spans over 1,653 acres and offers visitors a wide range of outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, and boating.
One of the main attractions of the park is the historic stone lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It features a large stone fireplace, a spacious dining hall, and a beautiful view of the Des Moines River. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the park, including the three-mile-long River Trail, which offers scenic views of the river and its surrounding bluffs.
Another popular attraction is the park's campground, which offers 113 campsites for tents and RVs, as well as two cabin rentals. The campground is open year-round and offers amenities such as showers, restrooms, and a dump station.
In addition to its natural beauty, Lacey Keosauqua State Park also has a rich history. The park is named after the nearby town of Keosauqua, which was once a major river port and served as the seat of Van Buren County. Visitors can explore the town's historic courthouse and jail, as well as several other historic buildings.
The best time to visit Lacey Keosauqua State Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park's natural beauty is at its peak. However, the park is also open year-round and offers several winter activities such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Lacey Keosauqua State Park is a must-see destination in Iowa for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, and rich history.
Weather Forecast
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 |
|---|---|---|
Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Campground
|
||
Lacey - Keosauqua State Park
|
||
Lake Sugema County Park
|
||
Austin County Park
|
||
Waubonsie Trail Park
|
||
Bentonsport
|