Lake Ahquabi State Park

About Lake Ahquabi State Park

Ahquabi is a national park in Iowa State, north of Des Moines, and home to Lake Ahquababi State Park, the largest lake in Iowa. The park opened in 1936 and was recommended by nationally renowned cartoonist and conservationist Robert E. Howard of Iowa. Many of the buildings were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s and remain open to park visitors. It is bordered on the north and south sides by a small stream, which is intended as a resting place for wildlife and also for the lake itself.

C campsites are located on the lakeside, and there are also bees on the north and south sides of the park, as well as a campsite on Lake Ahquababi.

Each campsite has picnic tables and fireplaces, and there are organized youth group campsites on the north and south sides of Lake Ahquababi.

Half of the campsites are still open to the public on the "first come, first served" principle, but reservations for each campsite can be made online at the Lake Ahquababi State Park website or by calling 1-888-743-5555.

There is a playground on each campsite, and stone cottages overlooking the lake can be rented from the park manager. The Civil Conservation Corps built the first campsite in Lake Ahquababi State Park in the early 20th century. It was built by the Civil Defence and was one of the first campsites.

Baits are also available from the concessionaire and boats (canoes, kayaks and pedal boats) can be rented from the concessionaire.

At the northern end of the park there is a modern boat ramp, which is located outside the campground and not open to the public.

Lake Ahquabi is popular with anglers and is a great place for a day of fishing along the coast. Lake Ahqabi State Park and its adjacent lake offer great fishing on both coasts.

The campsites are located on the lakeside and there are many campsites on the shore, as well as a number of picnic areas and a few picnic tables.

There are no organized youth group campsites, but each campsite has picnic tables and fireplaces, and there is an organized picnic area with picnic table and a few picnic spots.

There is a playground on each campsite and three open-air huts are available for picnics and can be reserved by the park manager for a fee. Half of the campsites are still open for camping on the "first come, first serve" principle, but you must make a reservation for each campsite at least 24 hours before the camp starts.