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Lake Manawa

Lake Manawa is a large recreational lake located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It is the largest lake in the state of Iowa and is a popular destination for fishing, boating, swimming, and camping. The lake is surrounded by a variety of parks and trails, making it a great spot for outdoor activities. The lake is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and white-tailed deer. The lake is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is open to the public year-round.

Amenities

- Recreational Facilities

• Lake
• Swimming
• Fishing
• Ramp
• Boat Rental
• Body Of Water (Lake Manawa)
• Horseshoes
• Playground
• Kayaking/Canoeing

- Policies

• Pets Welcome
• Day Max Stay (14)
• Tent Camping Allowed

- Other Amenities & Services

• Restroom and Showers

- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)

• Hiking
• Boating
• Mountain Biking

- Facility

• Type (State Park)
• Partial Handicap Access

- On-Site Rentals

• 

- Sites

• Spaces Available (73)
• Max Length (25)
• Gravel Sites (73)
• 30 Amp
• Electric (37)
• No Hookups (36)
• Max Amps (30)
• Back-ins (10 x 25)

User Reviews

Kari Cahoy

October 27, 2025

Beautiful, well-maintained state park right on Lake Manawa. Very clean, large sites and very quiet in the fall

Debra Welch

September 18, 2025

We parked in the RV park for 4 nights in site 36. A beautiful water view site facing West. The RV park at Lake Manawa State Park has full-hookup sites with flat, level concrete pads and patios that make setting up easy. Many of the sites open up to pretty water views where you can catch both sunrise and sunset over the lake. The campground has clean bathrooms and showers, plus a dump station, and it’s close to the “Big Dream” Playground that’s perfect for kids. Each site comes with a picnic table and fire ring, and the gated entry keeps things quiet and secure.

Joy Bradley

July 08, 2025

I really enjoyed my experience at Lake Manawa. If you are not a resident ir have a park pass you have to stop at the parking lot where you get an envelope, fill it out, put $5.00 in it. Seal it drop it in the drop box. I was there with my Plein- air group. Here are some photos and my painting.

Amanda Aldredge

June 08, 2025

One of my favorite places to see the wildlife, but they've been taking down a lot of the trees that provide shelter/shade to everyone that uses the park. I just hope they will be planting more, hopefully the park doesn't start to like the concrete slab campground they put in. The old campground was so much better with grass and trees and nature in my opinion.

Kelly Beattie

May 17, 2025

This state park and campground is beautiful. The views, the lake, the playground. We were so glad we were able to stay here and enjoy its beauty. We were greeted by our Camp Host Jim who was so friendly. He gave my husband some history on the area, and let us know if we needed anything, where we could locate him and his wife Lisa at the Camp Host site. Thanks Jim.

RV LIFE Trip Wizard
Map for Lake Manawa

Contact information