Union Grove State Park

Union Grove State Park was established in 1938 and encompasses a total area of about 282 acres in the northwest area of Tama County, Iowa and is close to Tama, Gladbrook, and Toledo towns in the state of Iowa. To gain access to the park, you just need to travel four miles southwest of the town of Gladbrook.

The main attraction of Union Grove State Park is the scenic 110-acre Union Grove Lake. Additionally, there are strikingly beautiful parklands that provide an attractive contrast to the surrounding agricultural and residential areas. There is also a beautiful prairie that was re-established in the northeast corner of the park near the main roadway at the park. Several animal and bird species roam the park and provide a place for nature lovers to enjoy the wildlife.

Other popular recreational activities at the park include camping, fishing, swimming, birdwatching and wildlife viewing, horseback riding, hiking, jogging/running, walking, and cross-country skiing. Amenities available at the park to facilitate these activities include; a campground with 25 campsites including four horse campsites, a horse camp, boat launch ramp, game check out, picnic tables, drinking water, electricity, flush toilets/showers, dump station, vault toilets, and a modern restroom. Most amenities at the park are ADA accessible. The park is also pet-friendly and doesn’t charge extra for your pets to access the park.

If you choose to bring your dog to the park, standard Iowa state park rules apply. Some of the rules with respect to your dog include the following. You must clean up after your dog and it is, therefore, an excellent idea to carry with you some poop bags in case you cannot find some at the park. Your dog can access tent and camp areas (a limit of only two dogs per yurt/cabin) but is forbidden from accessing other areas including designated swimming areas and park buildings. Your dog should always be either in a secure enclosure or on a leash no more than 6 feet long.