Park Access: The RAGBRAI route will use M47; expect delays on Monday July 20, 2026. For route information see the RAGBRAI Route.
(Posted June 30, 2026)
(Posted June 30, 2026)
Last Minute Cabin Rentals: If you are unable to reserve a cabin online because the reservation window has closed,
you must call the park office at 712-773-2701 regarding cabin availability.
All last minute cabin rentals are handled by park staff and should be done
prior to arriving at the park.
Campground Closed: The campground is closed each year from November 1 - March 31.
Campground Operations: This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.
Book a Campsite at Prairie Rose State Park, IA
Overview
Description
Whether you are picnicking, swimming, camping, boating, hiking or fishing, the lake provides a real focal point at Prairie Rose State Park. Construction of the 218-acre lake started in the 1950s and the park was dedicated in 1962.
Recreation:
Trails
Approximately 7 miles of trails weave through the park. All the trails are open for hiking, biking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The trail is a great place to observe a variety of plants and wildlife and feature several areas of restored prairie along the way.
Lake Activities
The 218-acre lake is a focal point for park activities. The unsupervised beach provides swimming and sunbathing for young and old, and a playground is located nearby. There are two boat ramps that provide easy access to the lake for all types of boating, including ice boats in the winter. Any size boat motors may be used at "no-wake" speeds.
Anglers of all ages will find a challenge at Prairie Rose. The lake provides excellent bass, channel catfish, bluegill and crappie fishing on the water or from the shoreline. There are 6 fishing jetties to aid in shoreline access and two fish cleaning stations located on the lake for anglers' convenience.
Facilities:
Picnicking/Shelters
Prairie Rose State Park provides a number of beautiful picnic areas with spectacular views of the lake. In addition there are two open picnic shelters which can be reserved in advance. Both shelters have electricity with water and restrooms nearby, and are the perfect place for your next family reunion, birthday party or other event.
Camping
Camping at Prairie Rose, whether for a weekend or a family vacation, is delightful. The park boasts two campgrounds with sites that can be reserved in advance. The east campground has electric and full hook-up (electric, water, sewer) campsites, modern restrooms and showers and sanitary dump station. The west campground is popular for tenters and has non-electric and electric campsites and non-modern restroom facilities. The east campground also has a basketball court, horseshoe pits and playground.
Cabins
Two camping cabins offer another overnight option for park visitors. Each cabin is equipped with heat/AC, microwave, dorm fridge, table and chairs, two twin-over-full bunk beds, picnic table and fire ring. There are water hydrants and a pit latrine adjacent to the cabins and a fishing jetty. Each cabin accommodates 5 people, with a maximum of 7, and can be reserved in advance.
Nearby Attractions:
Each June the town of Walnut hosts an antique festival that draws people from around the country. There are stock car races every Saturday night at the Shelby County Speedway.
Nearby Towns
Prairie Rose State Park is located 3 miles south of Harlan, Iowa and 8 miles north of Walnut, Iowa.
Booking Window
Camping Cabins
Fri Jul 17 2026 - Tue Jul 13 2027Reservations must be made 4 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Shelters
Fri Jul 17 2026 - Tue Jul 13 2027Reservations must be made 4 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Electric
Mon Jul 13 2026 - Tue Oct 13 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Note: There are 16 site(s) in this category with different booking windows. Please check site details for more information (Loop, Site)West Campground, 080West Campground, 081West Campground, 082West Campground, 083West Campground, 084West Campground, 085West Campground, 086West Campground, 087West Campground, 088West Campground, 089West Campground, 090West Campground, 091West Campground, 092West Campground, 093West Campground, 094West Campground, 095
Standard Full Hook-Up
Mon Jul 13 2026 - Tue Oct 13 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Non-Electric
Mon Jul 13 2026 - Tue Oct 13 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Tent Only
Mon Jul 13 2026 - Tue Oct 13 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Youth Group Only
Mon Jul 13 2026 - Tue Oct 13 2026Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Season Dates
Prairie Rose Cabins:
Reservable: May 1 - October 15
Prairie Rose Shelters:
Reservable: May 1 - September 30
Prairie Rose Campground:
Closed: January 1 - March 31
Off Peak: April 1 - April 30
Peak: May 1 - October 15
Off Peak: October 16 - October 31
Closed: November 1 - December 31
Season Schedule
Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Fri May 01 2026
Thu Oct 15 2026
Off Peak
Fri Oct 16 2026
Sat Oct 31 2026
Off Peak
Thu Apr 01 2027
Fri Apr 30 2027
Peak
Sat May 01 2027
Fri Oct 15 2027
Services and Amenities
Within Park
- Bicycling
- Bird Watching
- Boat Launch Ramp
- Cabins
- Canoeing
- Dump Station
- Firewood Sales
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseshoe Pits
- Jogging/Running
- Kayaking
- Modern Restroom
- Mountain Biking
- Park Lake
- Park Office
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Registration Building
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Swimming - Beach
- Toilet, Pit/Vault
- Trash Dumpster
- Walking
- Water Hydrants
- Wildlife Viewing
Within 10 Miles
- ATM/Cash Machine
- Antiquing
- Church
- Fuel, Vehicles
- Grocery Store
- Hospital
- Medical Clinic
- Motel
- RV / Camper Maintenance
- Retail, Bait & Tackle
- Retail, Drinks
- Retail, Ice
- Town
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Click here to view the cancellation policy.
Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Peak Season
May 01 2026 -
Oct 15 2026
May 01 2026 -
Oct 15 2026
Youth Group Only
$20.00
Tent Only
$16.00
Standard Non-Electric
$16.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$36.00
Standard Electric
$24.00
Shelters
$35.00
Camping Cabins
$50.00
($300.00 Weekly**)
($300.00 Weekly**)
Off Peak Season
Oct 16 2026 -
Oct 31 2026
Oct 16 2026 -
Oct 31 2026
Youth Group Only
$20.00
Tent Only
$12.00
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$20.00
Standard Electric
$20.00
Shelters
$35.00
Camping Cabins
$50.00
($300.00 Weekly**)
($300.00 Weekly**)
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2027 -
Apr 30 2027
Apr 01 2027 -
Apr 30 2027
Youth Group Only
$20.00
Tent Only
$12.00
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$20.00
Standard Electric
$20.00
Shelters
$35.00
Camping Cabins
$50.00
($300.00 Weekly**)
($300.00 Weekly**)
Peak Season
May 01 2027 -
Oct 15 2027
May 01 2027 -
Oct 15 2027
Youth Group Only
$20.00
Tent Only
$16.00
Standard Non-Electric
$16.00
Standard Full Hook-Up
$36.00
Standard Electric
$24.00
Shelters
$35.00
Camping Cabins
$50.00
($300.00 Weekly**)
($300.00 Weekly**)
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
41.605, -95.21583
41°36'18"N, 95°12'57"W
From Interstate-80 take exit 46 (Walnut exit). Go north on county road M-47 8 miles to park entrance.
41.605, -95.21583
41°36'18"N, 95°12'57"W
From Interstate-80 take exit 46 (Walnut exit). Go north on county road M-47 8 miles to park entrance.
Nearby Parks
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[40.83 miles*]
[41.72 miles*]
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