October 8, 2003

Fall camping in Iowa has its perks
of better fishing and blazing campfires

Liz Owens
Digital Iowa Staff Reporter
Drake University

DES MOINES, Iowa—Enjoying Iowa's state parks and recreation areas does not have to be just a summer pastime when fall camping offers the beauty of brightly covered leaves, the lure of better fishing and the need for a blazing campfire.

"Labor Day's the end of the recreational season, but it's actually the beginning of the fall camping season," said Jim Lawson, Department of Natural Resources district supervisor for Iowa's south central parks.

Fall camping also boasts cooler temperatures, fewer insects and less overcrowding, Lawson said.

"I think it's the best time of year to camp," he said. "[It's best] temperature-wise and things are not so crowded. Campfires are a lot more enjoyable."

By the end of September, Iowa's parks and recreation areas usually only see one-third of their typical summer traffic, Lawson said. The individual parks recognize the advent of this new season by lowering their camping rates. Most parks decrease their rates from $11.16 to $8.13, with the exception of some of the more heavily trafficked parks, for a non-electric campsite and the use of shower and restroom facilities.

For park-specific information, the DNR has a 24-hour information system at (515) 281-TENT that allows prospective campers to request brochures.

Lawson also said he recommends calling ahead to the parks to see what modern facilities are still available.

In mid-October, most parks start to close some of the facilities for the winter, although all parks have latrines and electricity year-round, Lawson said. In addition, park concessions typically close by the first of October.

With fall's cooler temperatures, extra firewood and blankets are a must, Lawson said.

The only other fall camping equipment that Lawson advocated was fishing gear to make full use of the enhanced fishing experience.

"Most of our state parks offer excellent [fall] fishing," Lawson said.

Depending on the location of the park, crappie, bluegill, catfish and bass are usually available, Lawson said.

The location of the park also determines to some extent the brilliance of the fall scenery, with parks along the Mississippi River sparking the greatest interest in leaf viewing, Lawson said.

If fall's better fishing, prettier leaves and fewer insects aren't enough to attract campers to Iowa's parks, the DNR is hoping prizes will do the trick.

The DNR's Explore Iowa Parks program is still in full swing for the fall camping season. Through Oct. 31, campers can earn prizes for visiting a variety of Iowa's state parks.

The three-tiered competition requires interested parties to visit five, seven or 10 parks to qualify.

Five park visits will garner campers a free one-year subscription to the Iowa Conservationist magazine, whereas seven visits will be rewarded with the magazine and a free T-shirt.

Camping in 10 parks means not only the T-shirt and magazine subscription, but also an automatic entry into the grand prize drawing.

The drawing will award the third-place winner a $100 gift certificate to Cabela's, and the second-place winner will receive a trek mountain bike from Bike World.

The grand prize is set to be the ultimate reward for those who are really gung-ho about Iowa camping — one year of free camping in Iowa state parks and recreation areas.

Lawson said this is a campaign to persuade more people to get out and camp.

"We wanted to encourage them to branch out, maybe go to some of our more under-utilized areas," Lawson said.

The contest is open to Iowa and out-of-state residents.

For more information about the contest, visit www.exploreiowaparks.com or call the DNR at (515) 242-6233.

Even after the contest ends and the decorated leaves have fallen from the treees, Iowa's parks and recreation areas will still be open for year-round camping.

For winter camping, Lawson said Iowa has a few parks, such as Backbone State Park in northeast Iowa, Pine Lake State Park in central Iowa and Wilson Island State Recreation Area on the Missouri River, that have heated cabins open 12 months a year.