Pine Lake 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(641) 858-5832
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Partial closure Pine Lake State Park: Modern Facilities ClosureModern Facilities Closure: The modern restrooms have been closed for the season effective October 21th, 2026. Pit latrines, frost free hydrants, dump… (more)
Modern Facilities Closure: The modern restrooms have been closed for the season effective October 21th, 2026. Pit latrines, frost free hydrants, dump station and electricity will remain open during the off season. Pit Latrines are available at the Uppper Pine Lke Boat Ramp and Circle Point Shelter. Modern Restrooms will re-open April 15th, 2027. (Posted 10/21/2026)
Posted by the park 2026-10-21. Official alert
Partial closure Pine Lake State Park: Shelter ClosureShelter Closure: Upper Boat Ramp Shelter is closed until further notice. A tree fell on the shelter, causing damage. (Posted 02/19/2026)
Posted by the park 2026-02-19. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 687 acres, Pine Lake State Park lies in Hardin County, about 2 miles from Eldora.
Things to do include swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites with full hookups, group camping, and showers. There are also cabins and lodge rooms for rent.
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 cozy cabins at Pine Lake, with stone fireplaces and outdoor fire rings. One cabin is ADA accessible, and all cabins include a full kitchen and bath, along with heating and air conditioning for year-round stays. The park’s campground offers electric sites with modern showers and restrooms and a trailer dump station. Advanced campsite and cabin reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Pine Lake State Park. The campground is 100% reservable and a reservation is required. | — | Electric campsites; Full hook-up campsites; Non electric campsitesShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Stay overnight in one of four cozy cabins at Pine Lake, with stone fireplaces and outdoor fire rings. One cabin is ADA accessible, and all cabins include a full kitchen and bath, along with heating and air conditioning for year-round stays. The park’s campground offers electric sites with modern showers and restrooms and a trailer dump station. Advanced campsite and cabin reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Pine Lake State Park.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Modern family cabins
- The Pine Creek cabin is ADA accessibleADA accessible (per amenities list)
- Studio family cabins
Reserve one of two shelters on Upper Pine Lake. Pine Lodge can be reserved through the online reservation system for Pine Lake State Park, for weddings, family reunions or other special events.
Things to do
HikingSwimmingBoatingFishingCamping
Trails
Hike a variety of trails winding through wetland areas around the lake, along the bluffs of the Iowa River and through unique forest ecosystems. Hikers can see beautiful views of Lower Pine Lake and its surrounding forests by exploring the South Trail along the south shore of the lake. A 2.5-mile paved trail connects the lake to the nearby town of Eldora, and will soon be connected to a 10-mile paved loop through Pine Lake and Steamboat Rock. Visitors may catch a glimpse of wildlife while exploring the park’s trails.
Fishing
Fish in the waters of Upper Pine Lake, Lower Pine Lake and the Iowa River. The lakes are hotspots for catching bass, crappie and catfish, and the Iowa River is popular for smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye. Anglers can fish from shore or a fishing jetty at the lakes. Only electric trolling motors are allowed on the lake.
Open to fishing activity between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 4 a.m. in addition to normal park hours. All fishing must be done from the bank in the areas designated for each lake. Vessels are not permitted on the lakes after 10:30 p.m. Parking is allowed in specially marked lots only.
- Lower Pine Lake: West shoreline along County Road S56 from the beach south to the boat ramp access.
- Upper Pine Lake: Southwest shoreline extending from the boat launch ramp to the dam.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Playground
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Fish cleaning station
Camping
- RV dump station
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer 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.
Getting there
- Address
- 22390 Co Rd S56
Eldora, IA 50627 - Nearest town
- Eldora — about 2 mi (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 42.3764, -93.0688
- Phone
- (641) 858-5832
- Pine_Lake@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