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Indian Lake Park
Overview
Indian Lake Park offers a serene escape in the heart of the historic Villages of Van Buren in Southeast Iowa. Situated on the peaceful shores of a 44-acre lake, this city-owned park provides a balance of natural beauty and modern convenience. It serves as a quiet retreat for those looking to enjoy rolling hills and scenic views while remaining close to the charming local culture and small-town hospitality of Farmington. The atmosphere here is decidedly relaxed, making it a favorite for travelers who prefer bird songs over city traffic.
Location & Surroundings
The park is positioned just on the south edge of Farmington, Iowa, providing easy access to the winding Des Moines River valley. The landscape is characterized by lush greenery and the calm, electric-motor-only waters of Indian Lake. Its close proximity to the sprawling Shimek State Forest means visitors are surrounded by thousands of acres of oak-hickory timberland, offering a deep sense of seclusion and a direct connection to the natural world of the Midwest.
Amenities & Park Features
RV travelers will find well-maintained facilities designed for a comfortable stay. The park features a variety of utility options and recreational structures:
- Many sites include full hookup connections with 30 and 50-amp electrical service to accommodate modern rigs.
- The grounds offer level concrete pads and spacious pull-through designs, making the setup process straightforward for larger motorhomes.
- Park guests have access to a modern bathhouse, multiple picnic shelters, and a massive 100-foot fishing pier for lakeside relaxation.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts can spend their days fishing for bass and bluegill or exploring the surrounding wooded hiking trails that circle the water. The regional area is rich with history and activity:
- The historic villages of Bonaparte and Bentonsport are just a short drive away, offering unique shopping and artisan galleries.
- Nature lovers can visit the nearby Shimek State Forest, which provides extensive equestrian trails and prime bird-watching opportunities.
- The Des Moines River offers additional opportunities for canoeing and exploring the riverfront heritage of Van Buren County.
Who This Park Is Best For
Indian Lake Park is ideal for nature lovers and retirees seeking a quiet, slow-paced environment away from the noise of major interstates. It is a fantastic choice for families looking for a classic camping experience centered around water activities and forest hikes. Because of the spacious layouts and reliable full hookup options, it also serves as an excellent home base for long-term travelers who want to immerse themselves in the historic heritage and scenic beauty of rural Iowa.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Derek Hudson
Cabin 3 is very very ran down.. so bad my kids do not want to stay there and we abandoned our vacation plans.. They killed off all the fish in the lake a couple years ago so don't even try to fish. This was confirmed w/ a fish finder. It does not appear to have been restocked. The cabin was full of cobwebs, duct taped screens, furnace doesn't work (nighttime temperature was in low 40s), patio door is very hard to slide, the grill was unusable, only two of the four burners on the gas stove would light, and the fire pit is 10 ft away from a 500 gallon propane tank. Huge disappointment!! I took pictures but for some reason it's not allowing me to add this to the review!! Highly suspect on a separate note...
selena blanchard
Beautiful campground. Beautiful walking trails, good swim spot, good fishing, and a good playground. A couple of things I want to mention is the rainbow bridge to leave collars on for our furry friends, a rock garden to leave and pick painted rocks, and the abundance of butterflies! All three were a nice touch to a beautiful weekend. I will be returning!
Cliff Birdsell
Small municipal campground; chose an electric only site though easy access to potable water and dump station. Pleasant two mile hiking trail around the lake. An excellent overnight stop.
April Smith
I am a little bias but this is my favorite place on Earth! I will do my best to provide you an enjoyable stay. Our cabins are rustic but clean and inexpensive! We have a swimming beach, a playground, an interactive 2 mile trail and plenty of picnic areas. While our park is dog friendly all dogs must be on a leash and are not allowed to swim in the roped off area or be on the sand beach. There is a $25.00 for pets which is very inexpensive compared to most places. Give us a try!
tanyah
Close to home, CLEAN, and the park manager is the nicest human to exist. This is a park, you are surrounded by nature. This can mean dust, bugs, even vermin. I will still take my family here and spend time here. It's quiet, with beautiful views.
Tina L Garrett
The view is beautiful. It has places setup for campers. There are lots of trails to take.
Erica England-Hoffman
Stayed here one night while passing through on a road trip. We were tent camping with 4 small children. We chose this campground due to having available electric for tents, bathrooms with running water and a shower house. We later found out that there was a beach area which was a nice bonus. However it is down a steep hill and you must park at the top and walk down to the lake. A little challenging for small children. The tent area was a large, shaded space at the very back of the campground and we had it all to ourselves mid-week. The terrain was pretty rocky and had many tree roots sticking up. However there were only 2 electric boxes. Thankfully we brought a 100' extension cord and it barely made it inside our tent. There was also a large amount of vehicle traffic back there which was unusual. There was nothing else back there except for camp sites, so I'm not sure what the traffic was about... even after dark. However after a long, hot sweaty day of traveling, we were ready for a shower. After getting our kids to bed, I went to the shower, only to find out it was coin operated! $1 for approximately 6 minutes. I would have happily paid, but it was nearly 10pm and had no change in our vehicle, forcing me to clean up at the bathroom sink. Just wish I had been notified so I could have prepared myself with coins. This was the first time I have ever seen this at a campground. The shower house (with bathrooms) and water tap were not within a reasonable walking distance from our site. You had to drive to get to both. There was a porta-potty somewhat near the tent sites and fairly clean. The men's bathroom was very dirty, the woman's wasn't super clean but did offer an infant changing table. If we go back to the area, we will likely choose another campground.
Crystal Ball
Nice, easy to follow trails. Lots of benches and rest areas on the trail. Fun to read plaques on the trail. Lots of space and campsites available. Shelter house available. Nice play equipment. Bathrooms need work. Men's was locked women's was open but all backed up 3 toilets wouldn't flush. Potta potty on site available. Cabins available. Fishing available.
Paula Surber
They are making great improvements. Nice place to camp.
Jeffrey Smith (GrPa -my favorite)
We stopped and dumped our hold'N tanks on our camper.. 5 bucks... WoooooWhoooo and Amen... ✌❣🇺🇸