Pine Lake State Park

About Pine Lake State Park

Pine Lake State Park offers a pleasant mix of forest, river and lake, with rolling farmland, a river and a small lake in the center of the park. The 585-hectare park includes two lakes, Pine Lake and Pine Creek, as well as a stream, lake and river.

The pine - fragrant air, pine trees, burning birch trees and the rare ferns found along the Iowa River are pleasing rarities in Iowa.

Pine Creek Bittersweet can accommodate 6 people, Goldfinch Sandstone can accommodate 4 people, and Pine Creek is accessible for mobility - restricted. Built in the 1930s, this home features a fireplace to keep you cool on chilly autumn days, and a hot tub for the summer months.

Each cabin has a shower, toilet, stove and refrigerator, and users must bring their own food, water, bed linen, clothing and toiletries. Cabin bookings can be booked with a toll-free number 1 - 877 - IAPARKS (888 - 746 - 4357).

The Pine Lake campsite is one of the most beautiful in the state with views of Lake Michigan, the Great Lakes and the Mississippi.

There is currently no shower building, but two showers in the parking lot and two shower rooms for the disabled. Two camp beds are accessible for the disabled and the handicapped, and half of the campsites are still open for camping, according to the motto "first come, first served." Reservations for all campsites can be made online at the Pine Lake State Park website or by calling (888) 562-5555.

These beautiful stone and wooden cottages are located on a ridge overlooking Lower Pine Lake, south of the parking lot and a little off the road to the east.

Built in the 1930s by the Civil Defence, they are available for rent and are popular for gatherings with other groups.

The Hogsback Bluffs Picnic Area overlooks the lower lake and Pine Lake offers 5 picnic spots. One is located on the west side of the lake, near the entrance to the park and the other at the northern end of Pine Park, right next to the main access road.

The Horseshoe Picnic Area is accessible to people with reduced mobility and each picnic area has a fireplace, tables and a relaxation area.

Pine Lake State Park has a number of well-maintained hiking trails, which can be reserved at the park office for a fee.

This self-guided nature trail starts at the Hogsback Picnic Area and ends at the beach and is marked with relevant attractions. There is a 50-mile route that connects Pine Lake State Park with Cedar Falls, mainly along bike paths that were built between Cedar Falls and Waterloo. You can also walk or cycle along the path to the lake shore and back, as well as to the beach of the park.

A detailed brochure for this route is available from DNR and a detailed map is available on the Pine Lake State Park website. Bring your own gear to your campsite or enjoy it at a local bed & breakfast or motel along the route. Some bed and breakfasts offer a shuttle service for equipment and luggage for a small fee, but reservations for these services must be made in advance.

Pine Lake State Park, an Iowa state park, is located on the southeastern edge of Waterloo and the brochure is available at 319 - 266 - 6813. This route leads to Cedar Falls - Waterloo, which connects Cedar Rapids with the Iowa State Line of the US Forest Service's Cedar River Trail.