Palisades-Kepler State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins, lodge or inn rooms
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov(319) 895-6039
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 3
Partial closure Palisades-Kepler State Park: Seasonal ClosuresSeasonal Closures: The Campground and River Road will be Closed from November 15th to April 1st. The Campground will reopen April 1st. (Posted… (more)
Seasonal Closures: The Campground and River Road will be Closed from November 15th to April 1st. The Campground will reopen April 1st. (Posted 10/16/2026)
Posted by the park 2026-10-16. Official alert
Partial closure Palisades-Kepler State Park: Pit Toilet ClosedPit Toilet Closed: The pit toilet facility at Cedar Cliff Trailhead is closed indefinitely. This facility is scheduled to be replaced. In the mean… (more)
Pit Toilet Closed: The pit toilet facility at Cedar Cliff Trailhead is closed indefinitely. This facility is scheduled to be replaced. In the mean time, please utilize the facilities at Lodge Trail and Overlook Trail. (Posted July 6, 2026)
Posted by the park 2026-07-06. Official alert
Alert Palisades-Kepler State Park: Lodge ViewingsLodge Viewings: Open to the Public, No Reservation Needed, Lodge Viewings are scheduled for the third Wednesday of every month from 2 pm. to 4 pm.… (more)
Lodge Viewings: Open to the Public, No Reservation Needed, Lodge Viewings are scheduled for the third Wednesday of every month from 2 pm. to 4 pm. Park staff will attend the viewings to answer questions.
Posted by the park 2023-05-04. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 449 acres, Palisades-Kepler State Park lies in Linn County, about 10 miles east of Cedar Rapids.
Popular activities here are boating and hiking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites with electric hookups, group camping, and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins and 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
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites Stay overnight in one of four family cabins or at the park’s campground. All cabins contain a shower, restroom, stovetop and refrigerator. Visitors must provide their own bedding, towels and cooking supplies. The park’s campground contains electrical hookups, modern shower, restroom facilities and a trailer dump station. Advanced campsite and cabin reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Palisades-Kepler State Park. The campground is 100% reservable and a reservation is required. The campground accepts reservations April 1 - November 15 and is closed November 16 -… | — | Electric campsitesShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Stay overnight in one of four family cabins or at the park’s campground. All cabins contain a shower, restroom, stovetop and refrigerator. Visitors must provide their own bedding, towels and cooking supplies. The park’s campground contains electrical hookups, modern shower, restroom facilities and a trailer dump station. Advanced campsite and cabin reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Palisades-Kepler State Park. The campground accepts reservations April 1 - November 15 and is closed November 16 - March 31.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Modern family cabins
Reserve one of two open picnic shelters for an outdoor gathering during your visit. The stone lodge is perfect for wedding receptions or any family gathering and can be reserved through the the online reservation system for Palisades-Kepler State Park.
Lodge viewings are available to the public monthly, no reservation needed. Visit on the third Wednesday of every month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to ask questions about the lodge, reservations, and more.
Things to do
HikingBoatingCamping
Trails
Hike five miles of rugged trails at Palisades-Kepler, taking visitors through diverse wildlife and forest habitats. In the spring, a variety of wildflowers can be spotted along the trails.
Boating, paddling and fishing
Fish for numerous species in the Cedar River, including channel catfish, bass and walleye. Anglers often fish by boat or along the shore near the old dam. A modern boat ramp provides convenient access to the river.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Showers
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- RV dump station
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- 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.
Accessibility
Outdoor conditions can change quickly or be unique to a park. If you have specific accessibility questions or concerns, please contact the park directly and staff will be happy to help.
Bathrooms:
The modern restroom & shower building in the campground is accessible.
Accessibility at Major Park Attractions:
Scenic Drive: The main park road provides an opportunity for a beautiful out-and-back drive on a forested lane, with views of the river at the end of the road.
Trails: The trail system at Palisades-Kepler was constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The trails follow rugged topography over rocky limestone bluffs. Trail users will encounter steep, narrow surfaces with numerous steps and other obstacles.
Read more from the park
Additional Accessible Features:
- Palisades-Kepler Lodge: Visitors will find partial accessibility in the lodge. The CCC-era lodge features rustic log-and-stone architecture. Sidewalks connect the parking area directly to the main dining room entrance, as well as to exterior restrooms. Visitors not able to climb the interior stairs can use outside sidewalks to travel between the dining room and the restrooms. The restrooms feature ambulatory stalls, which are approximately 36 inches wide, and include grab bars.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 700 Kepler Dr
Mount Vernon, IA 52314 - Nearest town
- Cedar Rapids — about 10 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.9113, -91.5028
- Phone
- (319) 895-6039
- Palisades_Kepler@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
- 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