A Simple Lake Hike Shows Why This Iowa State Park is Worth Visiting

There are plenty of places in Iowa where you can spend a day outside. I've written about many of them, but some places just feel a little more special. For my wife and me, Lake Keomah State Park near Oskaloosa is one of those places.

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My family and I hike quite a bit, and lately we have started sharing more of our Iowa adventures in a video format with our audience. Lake Keomah was an easy choice for another one to share because it is a place that already has a lot of memories attached to it for us and my wife's extended family.

Her family has been getting together at Lake Keomah for years. We usually make the trip around Labor Day weekend, when everyone can get together at the lodge, but there is really nothing about this place that makes it a Labor Day-only destination. It is the kind of Iowa state park that could make for a great spring, summer, or fall getaway. During our most recent visit, we decided to hike the trail around the lake as we often do.

The Iowa DNR lists the main walking trail at about three miles, following the lake and wandering through the village of Keomah. The trail includes grass and crushed rock, along with some sections that use public roadways. Shorter trails connect the lodge and campground to the main trail and there is lots to see and do. Soon, there will be even more to do as the lake continues to fill after a recent restoration project saw it emptied.

Our walk ended up being closer to four miles because we started at the lodge and included the connecting portions of the trail. It was also a very hot afternoon, so we were definitely ready for some water by the time we made it back. Still, there was plenty to keep us interested along the way. One year we even managed to grab hatching baby snapping turtles, although on this occasion none were found.

Credit: Tom Drake | Photo taken in 2021. These baby snapping turtles had just hatched and were on their way to the water. We didn't want them stepped on, so they were promptly moved from the trail after this photo was taken. Bennett was showing off his buckeyes.

We saw Canadian geese, Black-eyed Susans, and plenty of other plants and wildlife. One of the highlights was finding the Buckeye trees we remembered from previous visits. Finding Buckeyes has somehow become a family tradition of its own. We spent a surprising amount of time looking for them, opening the pods and comparing what we found.

Credit: Tom Drake | Every visit to Lake Keomah I find tree frogs. They're doing quite well there.

That is one of my favorite things about hiking with my family. We're not necessarily trying to set a speed record. We stop when somebody sees something interesting. We look at the plants. We watch the wildlife. We explore. Sometimes somebody finds a cool Buckeye (or five). Sometimes somebody gets hit by one (sorry Brynn). We hang out, eat too much, play Nine-Square; it all becomes part of the adventure.

Credit: Tom Drake | Nine-Square is a go-to game at the Labor Day outing.

Lake Keomah also has plenty of its own history. The park was dedicated in 1934, and many of its facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. We came across some of that history during our hike, which is always something I enjoy finding when we explore Iowa's parks.

Credit: Tom Drake | The CCC Marker at Lake Keomah State Park.

There is also a lot of change happening at Lake Keomah right now. As I mentioned, the lake has been undergoing a major restoration project, including work to improve the lake and its recreational opportunities. When we visited, the lake was in the process of filling back up after all the work that had been done. It was strange seeing the lake that we've enjoyed fishing and kayaking at, in such a different state. At the same time, it was exciting to see it coming back.

Credit: Tom Drake | The spillway bridge at Lake Keomah State Park.

I can't wait until the work is finished and people can get back to enjoying Lake Keomah the way they have for years. In that case, there may be renewed hope for swimming as there had been issues with algae blooms in the past. The Iowa DNR says the 84-acre lake offers fishing for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. There are also two boat ramps and a universally accessible fishing pier. Once it's filled up, only electric trolling motors will be allowed on the lake.

Lake Keomah State Park has campsites, modern showers and restrooms, picnic areas and shelters. The park lodge is available for reservations and is popular for weddings, reunions, birthdays, and other gatherings like the one my family was attending. To be honest, that lodge has become a big part of the Van Arkel family experience.

For myself, there's another reason Lake Keomah feels special. About 17 years ago, my wife and I had our engagement photos taken here. After our latest visit, we pulled out the old photo book and looked through those pictures again. Those memories are what make places like Lake Keomah special for Iowans. You can visit for an afternoon hike or a day on the water and leave with a memory that becomes part of your own story.

Credit: Forever Photography | Who's this guy?! I'm gonna' be honest... I think I look better now. This photo needs more beard.

Our family hikes a lot, and my wife and I have started sharing more of those Iowa adventures. This one was meaningful because Lake Keomah is more than another park on a map for us. It's already given our family plenty of good memories. I have a feeling there are more waiting for us there. I bet you could find s few of your own as well.