Pilot Knob State Park

Pilot Knob State Park covers approximately 500 acres of parkland in Hancock County, Iowa and near Forest City. Access to the park is straightforward through a road that is four miles east of Forest City and off the IA 9. The park was established in 1923.

Some of the attractions that make this park popular include two lakes including Dead Man's Lake and Pilot Knob Lake. Dead Man's Lake is a floating sphagnum bog, four acres in size and one of a kind in the state of Iowa. Other attractive features besides the lakes are Pilot Knob which is the second highest point in the state of Iowa and was historically used by the early settlers as an observation point for those traveling west. 

These days, there is an observation tower that was built on the knob and this observation tower offers panoramic views of the farmland in the surrounding area. Besides the picturesque views, Pilot Knob State Park has a lot of other facilities to offer. Some of the amenities available include a playground, several campsites with modern shower and restroom facilities, picnic areas, open picnic shelters, warming house, an open-air amphitheater, hiking and equestrian trails. 

These amenities allow for several recreational activities including horseback riding, lake fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and ice skating. If you have a dog, you can bring them to the park at no extra cost just remember that you have to follow park regulations if you want to have an enjoyable visit or stay at the park. Some of the basic rules at the park include the following. 

You must always keep your dog on a leash or confined in a secure enclosure. The leash must have a maximum length of six feet. You are additionally expected to maintain immediate control of your dog and you are not allowed to let your dog wander unattended to within the park. There is a mandatory restriction of two dogs designated to each dog-friendly cabin/yurt.