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Prairie Rose State Park |
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Facilities and Activities
Picnicking/Shelters/Lodge
Prairie Rose State Park provides a number of beautiful picnic areas with
excellent views of the 218-acre lake. These are ideal places for family
cookouts. Two open picnic shelters are available for a fee and may be reserved
through the park office. Both of the shelters have electrical outlets available.
Camping
Camping at Prairie Rose, whether for a weekend or a family vacation, is
delightful. There are 97 campsites, 61 with electric hookups. Two campgrounds
are available. The larger one features electrical hookups and modern shower and
rest room facilities. The other campground, with non-modern rest room
facilities, is popular with tenters. Starting February 13, 2006 advance campsite
reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the
campsites are still available for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve
basis.
Trails
A nature trail is located in the northwest corner of the park, starting from
near the beach area. Hikers can enjoy the scenery along the three mile trail. A
bridge now crosses the spillway making it possible to travel from the camp area
to the beach. It winds along the shore line and around the reestablished prairie
and is a great place to observe a variety of plants and wildlife.
There is a multi purpose trail located in the eastern portion of the park and
provides excellent wintertime fun, such as snowmobiling and cross country
skiing. The two mile snowmobile trail is located in the eastern portion of the
park and provides great wintertime fun.
Lake Activities (swimming, fishing, boating)
The lake is the real focal point of the park. The Prairie Rose beach provides
swimming and sunbathing fun for young and old. A play-ground area is located
near the beach and in the campground.
The lake is popular for all types of boating from canoes and sailboats to motor
boats and, in the winter, ice boats. Any size boat motors may be used at "no
wake" speeds. Two modern boat ramps provide easy access to the lake.
Anglers of all ages will find a challenge at Prairie Rose. The lake provides
excellent bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill and crappie fishing
from boat or shoreline. Six new fishing jetties have just been completed. There
are two fish cleaning docks located on the lake for successful anglers
convenience.
Prairie Rose State Park is one of the most attractive outdoor recreation areas
in western Iowa. The 422-acre park lies in a region of scenic hills, six miles
east and three miles south of Harlan.
The park received its name from a small town called Village of Prairie Rose
which was once located near the present park location. Plans for Prairie Rose
were initiated in the 1930s. However, actual construction of the dam started in
1958 with the park dedication taking place in 1962.
Nearby Towns
The park is located 3 miles south of Harlan, Iowa and 8 miles north of Walnut,
Iowa.
Contact Information
680 Road M47
Harlan, IA 51537
ph. 712/773-2701
fax. 712/773-2702
E-mail address: Prairie_Rose@dnr.state.ia.us |
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