lacey keosauqua state park

If you want to view the work of the CCC, this is the park to go. It has a great campground and cabins, and plenty of hiking trails. This is nestled along the Des Moines River. Also, if you are a birdwatcher, this park has around 200 different species during migration. Ely Ford picnic area is one of our favorites.

Great trail along the river with several shelters, Indian mounds and plenty of scenic and birding shots for photographers. There is no admission fee to Iowa State Parks, unlike some neighboring states, which is always a plus. We really enjoyed the CCC Memorial next to the Gatehouse.

Best time to go is the weekend of the second Saturday in October because the whole county is doing a scenic drive and there is lots of crafts, food and vendors around. It is also great for the kids then too.

there are showers on site and are kept quite clean. the wildlife is abundant, so when you drive, be aware of the critters who inhabit this forest. the entire park is quiet and serene, bring the family, the kids will love it too.

We just stayed in one of the park cabins and had a great time. Booking the cabin was easy on line on the park website. Our 5 years old son enjoyed the beach and the swimming area a lot (2 minutes walk the cabins, nice shallow slope into the lake for younger swimmers), we went on hikes on the park trails and used our raft on the lake. The cabin was small but comfortable (two futon beds, a stove, microwave and big refrigerator, a bathroom with a shower, a barbecue, fire pit and table outside, plenty of shaded space to play outside). The weather was unusually pleasant for August (cooler than usual). It took us about 4 hours to drive there from Saint Louis.

The most interesting part of the park is the stonework done by the CCC workers when the park was established. The lodge, pavilions, and bridges display the stonework, and more interesting than the Ely Ford memorial is the bronze statute (the only known statute in tribute to the CCC workers) and the restored gate house at the West entrance to the park. The stone bath house and the cascade of over 100 stone steps to the swimming beach below is also very interesting. The park also has a number of cabins that can be rented, an RV camping area with dumping station, and a large tent camping area. The camping area is only approximately one mile from the NE landing of Lake Sugema (a 600acre bass lake). In all, a pleasing place to visit.

This is by far the best state park in Iowa! Located just across the Des Moines River from Keosauqua the park is lovely and open for business all 4 seasons. Lake Lacey located inside the park has a free beach for swimming. 4 mile long Lake Sugema is just outside the park and has great fishing and boating. Try Lazy Bee Log Cabin Rental which adjoins the park at the south entry and is walking distance to the main boat ramp of lake Sugema. It sits alone on 40 acres and has a full kitchen and bath. The park has miles and miles of hiking trails. The hunting is excellent in the area and wildlife abounds. Come prepared to step back in time to an easier and more relaxing pace. There isn't one stop light or franchise in the entire county----Enjoy !

We stayed in the camper cabins at the end of April into the first week of May. We came here because Iowa is one of the only states in the mid-west that allows dogs in camper cabins! We arrived later than expected, and did not have reservations, but the DNR's wife was so sweet and accomidating. We had the place to ourselves!!!!!! No one else staying at the cabins and about 4 people stayig at the campground. We saw dozens of wild turkey as well as lots of deer. Very well taken care of state park and very peaceful. We hiked along the river, took lots of pictures, and had a very relaxing time. The cabins are awesome! The highlight of our stay was waking up on the last morning to a hundred-literally-Blue Jays right outside our cabin!!!!!!!!!!

Always have to drive through the park when in the area. It has about anything you wpuld want in a park, Camping, lake, and lots of wildlife. Very well taken care of.

We had a wedding reception at the Lodge. It was a perfect venue for us. The kitchen is big enough for fixing a full dinner for our guests, and the dining area was great. A beautiful setting and easy for our out of town guests to find.

Great park. Plenty of camping and cabin spaces, Lots of trees. Good swimming available. Well off the main road, and overlooks the Des Moines River.

there is camping,good showers,and a nice pool. It has a peaceful feel about this park.This park is maintained very well.

I love to hike and bird in Lacey...it is beautiful, quiet and often I feel like I have the entire place to myself! The birds are wonderful...you can see many warbler species during spring migration and there is a resident eagles nest (which has had eaglets for the last 3-4 years!) visible with a spotting scope from the beautiful spot called Ely Ford. Pileated Woodpeckers, Wood Thrush, Scarlet & Summer Tanagers are also some of the spectacular woodland birds that call Lacey home. Love it...wish I lived in Van Buren County full time...I would be there every day!

Take the short hike around the lake. It's a wonderful place any time of the year, or go to Ely Ford and take the more challenging hike along the river. On your way, you will discover magical grottos carved into the rocks, and might even discover a pair of kissing trees.

There are walking trails and even cabins to rent in this scenic park. This park has the flavor of parks in upstate NY-stone bridges and trees with many wild birds and deer-take a picnic lunch and relax. Enjoying the local area with it's antique shops and Midwest flavor of other small shops-don't forget to buy some fudge.