Geode State Park - Danville, IA - Iowa State Parks

Picnicking/Shelters
Geode State Park is one of the most scenic and popular picnicking spots in southeast Iowa. Several open picnic shelters are available for group use. These may be reserved online through the park reservation system. A picnic site accessible to the mobility impaired is available.

Camping
There are 169 campsites with enough variety to suit anyone's tastes (including sites with electricity). There are two modern shower buildings and a sewage dump station in the campground. Advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis. Two camp pads and rest rooms are accessible to the mobility-impaired.

Trails
Several hiking trails challenge the outdoor lover at Geode. The main trail starts at the north end of the lake and follows it all the way to the dam. This trail is accessible from several picnic areas along the lake. Another trail begins at the dam on the west side of the lake and ends at picnic shelter number one. A trip around the lake is possible on these trails. The Southeast Iowa Bike Route is a 46 mile route that connects Lacey Keosauqua State Park and Geode State Parks. This route winds through southern Iowa woodlands, pastures and lush cornfields with lots of rolling hills and some flat terrain.

Lake Activities (boating, fishing)
The prime attraction of the 1,640-acre park is Lake Geode, a 187-acre lake built in 1950. Over the years, the lake has become well known for excellent fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, red-eared sunfish. "Hey! Come on, we're going out to Geode!" This is repeated time after time in southeast Iowa as families and friends pack picnic baskets and swimsuits and head for a fun day in the sun at one of southeast Iowa's most popular state parks. The geode stone for which this park is named brings "rock hounds" to the area in search of this elusive prize. A display of geodes, with mysterious crystal formations in their hollow cavities, can be seen at the park office. Please remember that it is illegal to remove geodes and other natural materials from state parks, except for mushrooms, nuts, fruits and berries.