Rock Creek State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov(641) 236-3722
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Water quality Rock Creek State Park: Equestrian Trail ClosureEquestrian Trail Closure: Effective August 8, 2025, the trails will be closed until flood damage from the 2024 flood damage. This bulletin will be… (more)
Equestrian Trail Closure: Effective August 8, 2025, the trails will be closed until flood damage from the 2024 flood damage. This bulletin will be removed once the trails have been re-opened. (Posted 8/14/2025)
Posted by the park 2025-08-14. Official alert
Overview
Rock Creek State Park is a 1,762-acre park in Jasper County, about 6 miles west of Grinnell.
Popular activities here are horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, and fishing. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and boat or kayak rentals. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites with electric hookups, group camping, and showers.
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 Rock Creek 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 one of several campsites near the park’s lake, featuring both electric and non-electric sites, a modern restroom and shower building. Several campsites sit on the water’s edge and provide beautiful views of Rock Creek Lake. Advanced reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Rock Creek State Park and 100% of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required. The campground accepts reservations April 1 - November 15 and is closed November 16 - March 31.
Reserve a shelter for a picnic during your visit. The open picnic shelter sits by the lake and can… | — | Electric campsites; Non electric campsitesShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Camp in one of several campsites near the park’s lake, featuring both electric and non-electric sites, a modern restroom and shower building. Several campsites sit on the water’s edge and provide beautiful views of Rock Creek Lake. Advanced reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Rock Creek State Park and 100% of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required. The campground accepts reservations April 1 - November 15 and is closed November 16 - March 31. Reserve a shelter for a picnic during your visit. The open picnic shelter sits by the lake and can be reserved through the online reservation system for Rock Creek State Park. Two other shelters, one on the west side and one on the south side of the lake, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Open picnic areas and a playground are also located within the campground.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingHorseback ridingSwimmingCanoeing and kayakingBoatingFishingCamping
Trails
Hike more than eight miles of non-paved, multi-use trails that wind around the lake. A five-mile biking trail is available near the east side of the park and connects to the town of Grinnell. Horseback riding, and skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, are also popular on the trails.
Boating and paddling
Boat in one of central Iowa’s most popular lakes at Rock Creek Lake. Any size boat motor may be operated at a maximum speed of 5 mph, and several boat ramps are located around the lake. Boat and paddlesport rentals are offered at the park concessionaire along with fishing bait and snacks. Boat slips can be rented from April 15 to October 15. Fish for crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye and channel catfish at the lake. Bow fishing is also a popular activity with a healthy population of big carp in the lake. Anglers can fish along 15 miles of shoreline, an artificial jetty or the accessible fishing pier near the south boat ramp. Ice fishing is available in the winter once the lake freezes.
Fishing
Boat in one of central Iowa’s most popular lakes at Rock Creek Lake. Any size boat motor may be operated at a maximum speed of 5 mph, and several boat ramps are located around the lake. Boat and paddlesport rentals are offered at the park concessionaire along with fishing bait and snacks. Boat slips can be rented from April 15 to October 15. Fish for crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye and channel catfish at the lake. Bow fishing is also a popular activity with a healthy population of big carp in the lake. Anglers can fish along 15 miles of shoreline, an artificial jetty or the accessible fishing pier near the south boat ramp. Ice fishing is available in the winter once the lake freezes. 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 or river. Vessels are not permitted on the lakes after 10:30 p.m. Parking is allowed in specially marked lots only. Both sides of the County Road F27 causeway across the main north portion of the lake.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Playground
- 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
- Group camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ 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
- 5627 Rock Creek East
Kellogg, IA 50135 - Nearest town
- Grinnell — about 6 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.7587, -92.8394
- Phone
- (641) 236-3722
- Rock_Creek@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