Honey Creek State Park

Bring your pupper to camp at Iowa's largest body of water -- Rathburn Lake! Not only is this landmark beautiful, it actually protects a large amount of nearby land from the flooding of the Charlton River. Honey Creek State Park sits on one of the land fingers on the lake, bringing outdoor fun to this scenic area.

You'll have access to 148 campsites at this park, many offering full or electric hookup options. These lots start at $8 for a basic site with no hookup options and go up from there. The park also provides 4 different cabins -- and three of them actually welcome pups as well! Though the grounds are open year-round, the showers all shut down after the month of October, reopening again in the spring. Water hydrants are on-site as is a dump station for RVs. Honey Creek keeps a quarter of their campsites as non-reservable so they are perfect for those that like to take their trips on a whim.

While staying at this park, many like to spend their days at (or on) the lake. Boating, fishing, jet-skiing, canoeing, and kayaking are all big activities here, as is swimming from the beach. There is also a playground on the property for kids to monkey around on, and numerous trails wind through the park, providing the perfect opportunity for you to get your pooch out on a walk. You can go for a game of golf depending on when you visit, and many interpretive programs and seasonal festivals are planned at the park.

Canine campers are welcome at Honey Creek as long as they stay on a 6-foot leash. Pooches must stay out of all buildings other than the dog-friendly cabins, and owners must be diligent about cleaning up after their pet. Keep in mind that if you are staying at one of the cabins, there is a two-dog maximum, no matter the size of the woofers. 

For all who want to get up close and personal with Iowa's largest lake, Honey Creek State Park makes for a great getaway.