Lake Anita State Park

About Lake Anita State Park

The campground at Lake Anita is one of the most popular in southwest Iowa and has something for everyone. Whether you are hiking on quiet paths, splashing on the beach or swimming in warm water, it is a great place to enjoy nature. Lakeita State Park was opened in 1961 and is the largest national park in Iowa and the second largest in North America. The park covers 1,062 hectares and has a beautiful 171 hectare artificial lake created by the construction of a dam on a tributary of the Nizhny Novgorod River.

The 161 campsites are easily accessible and have a picnic area, picnic tables, swimming pool and beach, as well as a playground.

Half of the campsites are still operated on the "first come, first served" principle, and reservations for each campsite can be made online or by telephone at 1 - 888 - 743 - 5555.

Lake Anita State Park has a number of picnic spots, many of which overlook the lake, and eight open picnic huts are available and can be reserved at the park office for a fee. The park is a popular destination for picnics and other outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and camping.

Lake Anita also offers a 4 km long hiking trail that winds around the entire lake and is available for pleasant walks. Self-guided nature trails are also available to help visitors to the park learn about the flora and fauna of Lake Anita State Park and its surroundings. There are several hiking trails for hikers and cyclists who want to enjoy nature, as well as a number of bike paths and bike parking.