Geode State Park

Bring your canine companion to the site of an ancient Native American pathway and Iowa's oldest official road! Except, once you get here, you won't see either of those things. Instead, what you'll find is what now sits above these historical landmarks -- a manmade lake created almost 80 years ago. This lake has recently gone under a rejuvenation process to remove years worth of silt from its floor and provide new areas for fish to spawn happily.

For those looking to camp here, there are 168 campsites to accommodate visitors -- some of which offer electric hookups. Two of the sites are wheelchair accessible as are the washrooms of the facility. Your campsite will come equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring, and a dump station is also provided on-site. Rates to stay here start at $6 per night for a tent-only site in the off-season and go all the way up to $16 a night for an electric site from May until September.

While you're here, you'll have to go searching for some of the incredible rock formations from which the park is named. Keep in mind that you aren't allowed to take your findings home, but you can snap a few pics of the crystals before returning them to the land. Geode Lake makes for the perfect place to go for a paddle -- and hopefully, once the restoration is done, it will be fit for swimming as well! It's also a haven for anglers as it is regularly stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish. Be sure to take your woofer down the main trail, which goes all the way from the dam to the north shore of the lake. 

As with most Iowa parks, doggos are welcome as long as they stay on a standard leash throughout their visit. Remember to always clean up your pup's waste, disposing of it in the trash receptacles provided.

For a great getaway to lands that have been sought after for centuries, Geode State Park has you covered!