Lake Red Rock is Iowa’s largest lake and a perfect outdoor destination in South-Central Iowa! The 15,000-acre lake and surrounding 35,000 acres of land have 10+ recreation areas, two beaches, a marina, hundreds of campsites, and so much more.
Like other large reservoirs in Iowa, Lake Red Rock’s primary purpose is flood control and conservation. But it also has tons of fun things to do, from boating and swimming to hiking, biking, camping, and more!
And it’s ideally situated just 40 miles from Des Moines. Not only that, it’s right next door to the historic town of Pella, where you’ll find entertainment, shopping, museums, and delicious eateries.
A Brief History of Lake Red Rock
The land where Lake Red Rock is located was once Native American land. And in the 1840s, the Sac and Fox tribes signed a treaty that turned the land over to European settlers.
Around this time, several towns developed in the area along the Des Moines River. The lake’s namesake, the town of Red Rock, established its first trading post in 1842 and survived longer than other local towns. Today, the remnants of the town of Red Rock and five other old towns, like Cordova and Fifield, are submerged in the lake.
Congress passed the Flood Control Acts in the 1930s & 40s to control Des Moines River flooding. As a result, the Mile-Long Bridge above the town of Red Rock was approved in 1947. Soon after that, the US Army Corps of Engineers identified Howell Station as the site for the dam. Construction on the dam began in 1960 and was completed in 1969.
Fun facts:
- Lake Red Rock is an 18-mile long lake along the Des Moines River.
- The Red Rock Dam is an earthen embankment that’s 5676 feet long, 110 feet tall, and 44 feet wide. And you can drive across it!
- The lake’s storage pool expands from 15,250 to 65,500 acres and stores 7x more water during flooding.
Things To Do at Lake Red Rock
Go boating!
As the largest lake in Iowa, Lake Red Rock is a popular boating destination in Central Iowa. There’s ample opportunity for water skiing, tubing, or leisurely cruising the lake. And a 36-mile water paddling route is great for kayaking or canoeing along the lakeshores.*
Boat Rentals
The Red Rock Marina has several boat rentals to choose from. They offer something for everyone, from fishing boats and pontoons to kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. You can book rentals online or visit the marina for more information.
Or check out SUP Red Rock – they have kayak and paddleboard rentals available for pickup in Pella.
*If you’d rather paddle a smaller, no-wake lake, check out Roberts Creek Park, along the north shores of Red Rock.
Boat Ramps
There are several boat ramps around Lake Red Rock. Many are managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. But there are also a couple of ramps at Elk Rock State Park and one at Cordova Park.*
- Marina Cove Ramp (2 lanes; Corps operated)
- South Overlook Ramp (3 lanes; Corps operated)
- Whitebreast Ramp (3 lanes; Corps operated)
- Elk Rock State Park (2 ramps; no fees; Iowa DNR managed)
- Cordova Park (managed by Marion County; no fees)
- Howell Station Boat Ramp (river access only; Corps operated)
Access Roberts Creek Lake, a 288-acre no-wake lake on the north shores of Lake Red Rock. See our article on Roberts Creek for details.
*Note that day-use fees apply to Corps of Engineers boat ramps and annual passes are available (registered campers are free).
Visit Red Rock Marina
Red Rock Marina is a full-service marina on the lake’s northeast side. Here’s what you’ll find at the marina:
- Boat slips & lifts
- Boat rentals
- Marine store
- Pizza
- Fuel
- Servicing
- Storage
Spend a day at the beach
There are two swimming beaches at Red Rock. Find them at the following parks:
- North Overlook
- Whitebreast
About the swimming beaches
- Are maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers and have day-use fees (except for campers)
- Do not have lifeguards.
- Are roped off and buoyed to exclude boats and help protect swimmers.
- Have parking, changing areas, and bathrooms on site.
Life jacket loaner stations
Life jacket loaner stations have infant, child, youth, and adult-sized life jackets to borrow for free (first-come, first-serve). Find stations at the following locations:
- Whitebreast Beach
- North Overlook Beach
- Red Rock Visitor Center
- Marina Cove
- Whitebreast Boat Ramp
- South Overlook Boat Ramp
- Howell Station Landing
Go fishing
Lake Red Rock is an excellent place to fish by boat or shore! Popular fish species at the lake include Walleye, White Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Wiper, to name a few.
Check out these handy maps of drive-up fishing access points and fish structures to help choose the perfect fishing spot at the lake.
Many anglers also enjoy fishing the Des Moines River below the dam. See the river fishing access points here.
Check the Iowa DNR Red Rock Reservoir page for fishing reports and regulations.
Explore the trails
If you want to hike or bike the Lake Red Rock area, you’re in luck! Miles of paved and soft surfaced trails are available around the lake.
The Volksweg Trail is a paved, 17-mile trail stretching for 12 miles along the lake’s north shores. Enjoy spectacular lake views, prairie, and woodlands along the route! You can even take the trail into the town of Pella from Howell Station. Check out the trail map here.
For more hiking, find soft surfaced trails at the following Corps of Engineers sites: Howell Station, Ivan’s Campground, North Overlook, and Whitebreast. Also, the “Stu” Kuyper Trail at Whitebreast has a fun compass course to practice your orienteering skills! See maps of the hiking trails here.
And for even more hiking trails, head to Elk Rock State Park and Cordova County Park.
Have a picnic
There are lots of fantastic picnic spots at Lake Red Rock! So whether you’re planning a small get-together or large family gathering, you can find a great place to go.
Nine Corps of Engineers picnic shelters are reservable through Recreation.gov. Most are open-air shelters, but the Coal Miner’s Retreat at Whitebreast is enclosed. When the open-air shelters aren’t reserved, they’re available first-come, first-serve.
You might also consider one of the beaches for your next picnic! You can usually find picnic tables near both beaches.
Go camping
With so many fun things to do at Lake Red Rock, it’s the ideal place to go camping! The good news is that hundreds of excellent campsites are available around the lake.
Along with Corps of Engineers campsites, there’s camping at Elk Rock State Park and Roberts Creek Park. See the campground section below for more details.
…Or rent a cabin
Cordova Park is known for its modern cabins along the north shores of Lake Red Rock. You might also consider the Horn’s Ferry Hideaway Cabins, nestled in the woods south of the Des Moines River.
Birdwatching
Red Rock Lake is one of the most popular areas to go birding in the state of Iowa! Of course, the species depend on the time of year, but there’s rarely a wrong time to go birdwatching.
Pelicans make a stop as they migrate, and Bald Eagles are plentiful during the winter (especially along the river). But that’s only the beginning. Many other species are often seen, like herons, owls, ducks, gulls, and songbirds. See this article from the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union for more information.
Winter Activities at Lake Red Rock
Hunting
Several public hunting areas around Lake Red Rock allow hunting. However, hunting is only allowed in certain areas, and state hunting laws apply. Please see the Lake Red Rock Hunting Map & Brochure for more information.
Watch the Bald Eagles
During the winter, Bald Eagles frequent the river just below the dam. Morning is an excellent time to view them!
Sledding
The Visitor Center on the south side of the dam is a great place to find a sledding hill!
Cross country skiing & Snowshoeing
When the snow gets deep, head to the trails around Lake Red Rock for some winter fun!
Ice Fishing
Roberts Creek Lake is a popular local ice fishing spot to check out when the ice is thick enough!
Lake Red Rock Campgrounds
There’s no shortage of great campsites at Lake Red Rock! With over 400 campsites, the Corps of Engineers offers many excellent camping options. Make camping reservations at Recreation.gov.
Howell Station Campground
1081 198th Place
Pella, IA 50219
- Located below the dam on the north shore of the Des Moines River
- 143 electric sites
- Modern restrooms/showers
- Two dump stations on site
- Shaded campsites along the river
- Access to the Volksweg Trail, hiking, shore fishing, and a boat ramp for river access
Ivan’s Campground
1125 198th Place
Knoxville, IA 50138
- Located below the dam on the south shore of the Des Moines River
- 21 electric campsites
- Modern restrooms/showers
- No water fill up or dump station on site
- Scenic, shaded spots along the river
- Fishing access
North Overlook Campground
1007 Highway T15
Pella, IA 50219
- Located on the north end of the dam along the lake
- 46 electric sites, 6 tent sites
- Modern restrooms/shower
- Dump station on-site
- Shaded campground
- Access to the Volksweg Trail, hiking, and the beach
Wallashuck Campground
890 190th Ave.
Pella, IA 50219
- Located on the north side of the lake, near the marina
- 83 electric campsites
- Modern restrooms/showers
- Dump station on-site
- Access to Volksweg Trail and hiking
Whitebreast Campground
971 Highway S-71
Knoxville, IA 50138
- Located on the south side of the lake
- 132 electric campsites; two group camps
- Modern restrooms/showers
- Dump station on-site
- Access to the beach and boat ramp
Hickory Ridge Wilderness Campground
- Located on the south side of the lake
- 200-acre paddle-in or hike-in campground
- 8 primitive tent sites
- All sites are first-come, first-serve
- Free camping
- See campground details here
Other area campgrounds
Besides the Corps of Engineers campgrounds above, check out these other campgrounds nearby:
Lake Red Rock Area Map
Find more maps for recreation areas and trails on the Corps of Engineers website.
Know before you go!
To see Lake Red Rock before you go, check out their virtual tour here!
Day-use fees
Corps of Engineers boat ramps and beach areas require day-use fees. However, registered campers use day-use areas for free during their stay.
Visitors pay day-use fees at the fee station at each recreation area. Or they can buy annual America the Beautiful passes or US Army Corps of Engineers passes.
Hours, availability, and conditions
Depending on what you plan to do at Lake Red Rock, you might call ahead or check the website for more information.
- US Army Corps of Engineers Website
- Status of recreation areas
- Call for lake conditions: 641-828-7522 or 641-628-8690
Things To Do Nearby
Elk Rock State Park is along the south shores of the lake near the Mile-Long Bridge. It boasts a large boat ramp and thirteen miles of multi-use trails; it’s great for boating, camping, hiking, and equestrian use.
Cordova Park is near the Mile-Long Bridge on the lake’s north shores. Head there to climb the Cordova Observation Tower, an old water tower overlooking the Des Moines River Valley. Or rent one of the modern cabins.
Roberts Creek Park is between Cordova Park and Red Rock Marina on the lake’s north side. It offers excellent (full hookup) camping, disc golf, fishing, kayaking, and more!
The City of Pella is just minutes from the lake! Stop in this historic Dutch town to shop, eat, and tour the museums. And if you’re there in May, attend the Pella Tulip Festival!
Visit the town of Knoxville – only minutes from the lake – to go to the Knoxville Speedway or have some fun at Slideways.
The Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is 25 miles northwest of the lake. It’s an 8600-acre restored prairie with many fun outdoor activities for all ages! The Prairie Learning Center, auto tour, and trails are some of the most popular things to do.
