Lake Ahquabi State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- YesAlso lodge or inn rooms
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov(515) 961-7101
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure Lake Ahquabi State Park: Modern Facilites ClosureModern Facilites Closure: All modern restrooms and shower facilities have closed for the season. Pit Toilets will remain open throughout the year.… (more)
Modern Facilites Closure: All modern restrooms and shower facilities have closed for the season. Pit Toilets will remain open throughout the year. Water hydrants will be left ON after October 16th until hard freezing temperatures are experienced. Electricity will remain on to those sites with hook-ups through November 30. The RV Dump Station will remain open beyond October 16th. The campground will completely close from December 1, 2026, and reopen on March 1, 2027. (Updated 10/23/2026)
Posted by the park 2026-10-15. Official alert
Overview
In Warren County, about 5 miles south of Indianola, Lake Ahquabi State Park covers about 787 acres.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites with full hookups, group camping, and showers. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers 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
Advanced reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Lake Ahquabi State Park and 100% of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites Camp in the lakeshore campground, offering both full hook-up and electric campsites, modern restrooms, showers and a dump station. Picnic tables and a fire ring are provided at each campsite. Advanced reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Lake Ahquabi State Park and 100% of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required. The campground accepts reservations March - November and is closed December - February. | — | Full hook-up campsites; Electric campsitesShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Camp in the lakeshore campground, offering both full hook-up and electric campsites, modern restrooms, showers and a dump station. Picnic tables and a fire ring are provided at each campsite. Advanced reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Lake Ahquabi State Park and 100% of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required. The campground accepts reservations March - November and is closed December - February.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Reserve one of two open picnic shelters during your visit. A CCC-era stone lodge overlooking the lake can be reserved through the online reservation system for Lake Ahquabi State Park and is a popular location for family reunions, weddings or large gatherings
Things to do
HikingSwimmingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingFishingCamping
Trails
Hike more than six miles of trails at Lake Ahquabi, including a loop around the lake and through wooded pathways. The trails are best explored by hiking and biking, or cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.
Swimming
Boat in Lake Ahquabi or swim in the designated beach area. The lake is a “no-wake” speed, and paddleboats, canoes, kayaks and boats can be rented at the beach concessionaire. Bait, firewood, snacks and beverages are also available for purchase.
Boating and paddling
Boat in Lake Ahquabi or swim in the designated beach area. The lake is a “no-wake” speed, and paddleboats, canoes, kayaks and boats can be rented at the beach concessionaire. Bait, firewood, snacks and beverages are also available for purchase.
Fishing
Fish for largemouth bass, channel catfish or panfish since the lake is popular fishing destination. Anglers of all ages and abilities can fish along the shoreline, the accessible fishing pier or a fishing jetty.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Park or camp store
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
- Fishing pier
- Fish cleaning station
Camping
- RV dump station
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
- Group 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
- 16510 118th Avenue
Indianola, IA 50125 - Nearest town
- Indianola — about 5 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.2852, -93.5824
- Phone
- (515) 961-7101
- Lake_Ahquabi@dnr.iowa.gov
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