Lake Keomah State Park is 366 acres of beautiful woods and water. Lovely shaded picnic areas are nestled between the arms of the 83 acre man-made lake.
During the summer the open water, grasslands, deep woods and marshy areas provide habitat for all types of wildlife. Hikers along the park's scenic hiking and nature trails may catch a glimpse of bullfrogs blowing and puffing bass solos, a great blue heron wading the shallows in search of minnows, or a covey of quail rising at the approach of human footsteps. In the fall, the lake is surrounded by a mass of color from a variety of trees and shrubs.
"Keomah" may sound like an Indian name, but it is not. The name is derived from the first syllables of the two counties that helped finance the park over 50 years ago --Keokuk and Mahaska. A portion of the south side of the lake was reserved for private development and many homes dot this side of the lake. The park was dedicated in 1934. Many of its facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Facilities and Activities
Picnicking/Shelters/Lodge
A lodge is available on a reservation basis. It is an ideal place for special events such as wedding receptions or family reunions. The lodge may reserved online through the park reservation system.
Lake Keomah's scenic beauty has long made it a very popular picnic spot. Open picnic shelters may be reserved online through the park reservation system.
Camping
The campground includes electrical hookups, modern showers, rest rooms and a trailer dump station. Advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. One fourth of the campsites are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Group Camping
Lake Keomah also has a dining/rest room building available on a reservation basis to organized groups. Camping for group members is allowed nearby. See the website Group Camp Rental Reservation for specifics on reservation policy and specific rates, damage deposits and reservation deposits.
Trails
The park's wooded terrain provides great hiking year-round. There is a multi-use trail which runs along the lake shore. In winter, snowmobiles may be operated on designated trails.
Lake Activities (swimming, boating, fishing)
Spring and summer fishing for crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish is excellent. Ice fishing is popular in winter. A fishing jetty is available on the west shoreline and is accessible to persons of varying abilities.
Electric motors only are allowed and 2 boat ramps provide easy access to the lake.
Lake Keomah has an unsupervised swimming beach. The beach is a great place for young and old alike on hot summer afternoons.
Amenities
Within park
Beach, Bicycling, Bird Watching, Boat Launch Ramp, Boating, Camping - Electric, Camping - Nonelectric, Canoeing, Day-use Lodge, Dock, Fishing, Dump Station, Fishing, Group Camp, Hiking, Jogging/Running, Modern Campground, Park Lake, Picnic Area, Picnic Shelter, Pit Toilets, Playground, Restrooms, Showers, Snowmobiling, Swimming - Beach, Trails, Bicycle, Trails, Cross Country Skiing, Trails, Hiking, Trails, Mountain Bike, Trails, Snowmobile, Walking, Water Hydrants , Wildlife Viewing
