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Lake Manawa
Overview
Lake Manawa State Park serves as a centerpiece for outdoor recreation in Southwest Iowa, centered around a sprawling 1,500-acre natural lake. This destination offers RV travelers a refreshing balance between accessible modern facilities and diverse ecological landscapes. Whether you are looking to spend days on the water or explore the surrounding woods, the park provides a well-maintained environment for both long-term stays and quick overnight stops. The park is widely regarded as one of the most popular outdoor spots in the region for its scenic views and well-kept grounds.
Location & Surroundings
Conveniently located in Council Bluffs, IA, the park offers an unexpected natural escape just minutes away from a major metropolitan area. Its proximity to the Missouri River and the Nebraska border makes it a strategic base for exploring the Omaha-Council Bluffs region. The surrounding area features a blend of quiet residential neighborhoods and bustling commercial districts, ensuring that supplies and dining options are never out of reach. The landscape is characterized by its mature timber and expansive shoreline, providing a serene backdrop for any camping trip.
Amenities & Park Features
The modern campground at Lake Manawa is designed with the modern RVer in mind, featuring paved level pads and upgraded electrical service including both 30 and 50-amp options. Visitors have access to modern shower buildings and clean restroom facilities, which were part of significant recent renovations to the grounds. The park also provides multiple boat ramps, a dedicated swimming beach, and well-placed picnic areas equipped with fire rings for evening gatherings. A dump station is centrally located for convenience, making the transition in and out of the park seamless for big rigs.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Recreation is the primary draw here, with over eight miles of paved trails that connect to the wider Wabash Trace Nature Trail system. For those traveling with children, the Dream Playground is one of the largest and most impressive play structures in the region, offering hours of entertainment. Anglers will find the lake stocked with panfish and walleye, while those looking for city excitement can reach the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in nearby Omaha within a short drive. The lake is also a premier spot for boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding during the summer months.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal fit for active families who want a mix of playground time and water sports. It also caters heavily to boaters and jet-ski enthusiasts who appreciate easy lake access and wide ramps. Because of its location near the intersection of I-80 and I-29, it is a perfect choice for cross-country RVers seeking a reliable, high-quality stopover that offers more than just a standard asphalt parking lot. It remains a top pick for those who want to experience both nature and the convenience of nearby city attractions.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Kari Cahoy
Beautiful, well-maintained state park right on Lake Manawa. Very clean, large sites and very quiet in the fall
Debra Welch
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
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
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
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.