Fort Defiance State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- YesAlso lodge or inn rooms
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Fort Defiance State Park is a 241-acre park in Emmet County, about 2 miles west of Estherville.
Visitors come for hiking and picnicking. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites). Roofed lodging includes lodge rooms.
Pets
Privately owned animals must be on a leash of max six feet or confined; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds; most cabins/yurts are pet-free.
Statewide rule from Iowa's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- Iowa State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- 1-877-427-2757
The campground is 100% reservable and a reservation is required.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
Camp in both electric and non-electric campgrounds. This campground is non-modern and has a pit latrine. Advanced campsite reservations can be made online through the online reservation system for Fort Defiance State Park.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Reserve the lodge for your next group gathering or family reunion. The lodge may be reserved online through the online reservation system for Fort Defiance State Park. A picnic shelter is also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Things to do
HikingCampingPicnicking
Trails
Hike on one of the several trails traversing along hills and woodlands. Equestrian use is allowed on three of the trails.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic shelters
Camping
- Tent camping
Lodging
- Lodge or inn rooms
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 1730 360th Ave
Estherville, IA 51334 - Nearest town
- Estherville — about 2 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 43.3949, -94.8754
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Iowa State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Iowa DNR 'All Parks' directory (Drupal view, ?page=0..3) — state parks, recreation areas, a state preserve and state forests
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology