Get out of town
11 nearby parks, towns and places to explore, ordered by straight-line distance.
State park21 miles south · straight-line distance
State park in Warren County, Iowa.
Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.
22 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (30 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
City in Iowa, United States.
Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.
Town27 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 40 min by car (36 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
City and the county seat of Madison County, Iowa, United States.
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30 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (36 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
City in Story County, Iowa, United States.
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Town31 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (36 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
City in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States.
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31 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (38 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
City in and seat of Story County, Iowa, United States.
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State park31 miles northwest · straight-line distance
State park in Iowa, United States.
Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.
31 miles southeast · straight-line distance
State park in Marion County, Iowa.
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Things to do118 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 50 min by car (123 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
Presidential library and museum for U.S. President Herbert Hoover in West Branch, Iowa.
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122 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr by car (133 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
Zoo in the United States.
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Things to do122 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr by car (135 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)
Art museum in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.
Driving times are typical estimates from the city center without live traffic, Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Distances are measured in a straight line from the city, not by road. Some older drive-time estimates have no reliable date and do not reflect current traffic; routes to large parks or waterfronts may vary. Check the destination entrance before leaving. Place descriptions come from Wikidata. Photo credits include capture dates when available; photos may not show current conditions.
40 recreation areas and campgrounds within 134 miles, from Recreation.gov. Filter by what you want to do.
8 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (12 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Bob Shetler Picnic Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam, and is a popular destination for shoreline fishermen.
BikingCampingFishingHikingWildlife viewing
8 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (10 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Cottonwood Recreation Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam. The 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingCampingFishingHikingWildlife viewing
9 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (12 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Bob Shetler Recreation Area is located in the tailwater area below the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingSwimmingWater sports
9 miles north · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
The Saylorville Lake Project is 26,000 acres, which stretches for over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingNature educationPicnickingWater sports
10 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (12 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Cherry Glen Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingRanger programsSwimming
10 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (12 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Cherry Glen Picnic Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingCampingFishingHikingWildlife viewing
11 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (13 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Oak Grove Picnic Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingCampingFishingHikingSwimmingWildlife viewing
11 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (13 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Walnut Ridge Recreation Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingCampingFishingHikingWildlife viewing
12 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (14 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Acorn Valley Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingRanger programsSwimming
12 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (14 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Prairie Flower Recreation Area is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingSwimmingWater sports
12 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (15 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Sandpiper Recreation Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.
BikingCampingFishingHikingWildlife viewing
18 miles east · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 with the mission to actively protect, restore, reconstruct and manage the diverse native ecosystems of tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and sedge meadow.
BikingBirdingCross Country SkiingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHuntingPhotography
31 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 50 min by car (40 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
This recreation area is part of Lake Red Rock
BoatingCampingHorseback ridingWater sports
32 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 45 min by car (40 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
This recreation area is part of Lake Red Rock
CampingHikingPicnicking
32 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 45 min by car (40 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
This recreation area is part of Lake Red Rock
Camping
33 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 50 min by car (41 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Fifield is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 miles from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 miles from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
BikingBirdingCampingPicnickingWildlife viewing
33 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 5 min by car (53 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Whitebreast Point Shelter is a day use facility located within Whitebreast Campground. The shelter is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.
BirdingBoatingCampingFishingWildlife viewing
34 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr by car (52 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Miner's Retreat Enclosed Shelter is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
BirdingCampingHikingPicnickingSwimmingWater AccessWildlife viewing
35 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 50 min by car (42 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Wallashuck Campground is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHiking
35 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr by car (51 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Whitebreast Camp is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingSwimmingWildlife viewing
36 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 50 min by car (46 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
North Overlook Picnic Shelter is located adjacent from North Overlook Campground on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.
BikingBirdingCampingHikingMountain BikingPicnickingWildlife viewing
36 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 50 min by car (47 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
South Overlook is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 miles from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 miles from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
BikingBoatingCampingHuntingWildlife viewing
37 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 55 min by car (47 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Howell Station Campground sits just below the Red Rock Dam and Lake on the north side of the Des Moines River.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingWildlife viewing
37 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake and is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage and 15 minutes from Knoxville, Sprintcar Capital of the World.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature education
37 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 50 min by car (45 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
North Overlook Campground is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingSwimming
58 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 45 min by car (77 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Bridgeview Park is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just 13 miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking are popular activities at this waterfront recreation area.
BikingBoatingCampingCanoeingFishingHikingIce ClimbingInformation Site
62 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 40 min by car (80 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers
Prairie Ridge Park is located 6 miles, SW of the Jct of Iowa Highway 5 and J18 at Moravia. Awesome Sunsets- No Extra Charge! Rathbun's off-the-beaten path park offers unique opportunities for lover's of the outdoors.
BikingBoatingCampingCanoeingFishingHikingKayakingPicnicking
65 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Over 700 campsites are available at this 11,000-acre lake in the rolling hills of southern Iowa. Excellent camping, fishing, hunting, boating, state fish hatchery, and Honey Creek Resort, are major attractions.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature education
109 miles east · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Coralville Lake is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management, forest management and water quality improvement.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryNature educationOff-highway vehicles
118 miles east · straight-line distanceNational Park Service
Orphaned at age nine, Herbert Hoover left West Branch never to live here again. In later years, he returned to his humble birthplace to celebrate his long career of public service.
HikingHistoryPicnickingWildlife viewing
120 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Iowa Wetland Management District includes 75 waterfowl production areas encompassing more than 25,000 acres scattered throughout 18 counties in north-central Iowa.
BirdingCross Country SkiingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized BoatingPhotography
120 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Located in north-central Iowa in the southeast corner of the Prairie Pothole Region, Union Slough is all that remains of a pre-glacial riverbed.
BirdingCross Country SkiingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized BoatingPhotography
121 miles west · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was established to recover fish and wildlife habitat in and along the Missouri River and to restore essential wildlife habitat that became scarce after the river was "improved" for navigation half a…
ArcheryBikingBirdingCross Country SkiingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHunting
124 miles west · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge was established in March of 1958 with the approval of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission with the dual intention of providing for the needs of migratory birds and providing public recreation to local…
ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHistory
127 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Visitors here enjoy picnicking, no-wake boating, hiking, biking, nature trails, birding, disc golf, archery, and fishing. Horseback riding is also permitted in designated areas.
Nature educationWildlife viewing
131 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Standing Bear Lake, NE, located in northwest Omaha, is named for the Ponca leader Chief Standing Bear, and is operated by the City of Omaha.
Wildlife viewing
132 miles east · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
The 24,149 acre Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge was established for the protection of migratory birds and other wildlife. Although the U.S.
ArcheryBackpackingBikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHunting
134 miles southwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Missouri, near Mound City.
BikingBirdingFishingHikingHuntingPhotographyPicnickingRanger programs
134 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Wehrspann Lake, NE, located in southwest Omaha is, operated by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resource District (NRD).
Nature educationWildlife viewing
134 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers
Zorinsky Lake, NE, located in west Omaha, was named after the late U.S. Senator Edward Zorinsky.
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingNature educationPicnicking
From the National Park Service; closures, dangers and cautions only. Check the park's page before you go.
Recreation areas and campgrounds from Recreation.gov's directory, checked October 9, 2026. Listings are not live availability: check Recreation.gov or the managing agency for open dates, fees, reservations and conditions. Directions go to the listed coordinates, which may not be the entrance. Campground driving times: Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.
This guide includes Lake Ahquabi State Park, Madrid, Winterset, Ames, Newton. Places are ordered by straight-line distance. Confirm visitor access, opening hours and current travel conditions before choosing a trip.
Approximately 21 miles south in a straight line. This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.
Approximately 22 miles northwest in a straight line; driving takes about 35 min over 30 road miles in typical traffic (Geoapify, checked October 2026). This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.
Approximately 27 miles southwest in a straight line; driving takes about 40 min over 36 road miles in typical traffic (Geoapify, checked October 2026). This is not current traffic or a route to a confirmed visitor entrance. Check your route before leaving.
Recreation.gov lists 24 campgrounds within 62 miles, including Bob Shetler Picnic Area (8 miles north), Cottonwood Recreation Area (8 miles north), Bob Shetler Recreation Area (9 miles north). Check Recreation.gov for current availability, seasons and reservations.