Prairie Rose State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Elk Horn Park Eddington Memorial Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Located in Harlan, Iowa, Prairie Rose State Park spans over 400 acres of prairie and woodland and offers various recreational activities for visitors.
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Summary
One of the park's main attractions is the 218-acre man-made lake, which provides ample opportunities for fishing, swimming, and boating. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats from the park's concession stand. The park also has hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and a playground for children.
There are several points of interest to see within the park, including the historic Prairie Rose Lodge, which was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The lodge has been restored and is available for group rentals. Another notable feature is the park's 18-hole disc golf course, which is open year-round.
Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former prairie and the efforts by the Civilian Conservation Corps to preserve and enhance the natural environment. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, deer, and coyotes.
The best time of year to visit Prairie Rose State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the lake is open for swimming and boating. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Prairie Rose State Park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a variety of recreational activities in a beautiful natural setting.
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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
Prairie Rose State Park
Prairie Rose State Park East Campground
Prairie Rose State Park West Campground
Nishna Bend Rec Area
Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds