Top state parks
State ParkPikes Peak State Park
State ParkCedar Rock State Park
State ParkWildcat Den State Park
State ParkBellevue State Park
State ParkBlack Hawk State Park
State ParkLedges State Park
State ParkLake Ahquabi State Park
State ParkBackbone State Park
State ParkRed Haw State Park
State ParkRock Creek State Park
State ParkDolliver Memorial State Park
State ParkElk Rock State Park
All state parks (27)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pikes Peak State Park | Clayton County | — | Prairie du Chien | 3 |
| Cedar Rock State Park | Buchanan County | — | Independence | 3 |
| Wildcat Den State Park | Muscatine County | — | Blue Grass | 4 |
| Bellevue State Park | Jackson County | — | Bellevue | 3 |
| Black Hawk State Park | Sac County | — | Lake View | 2 |
| Ledges State Park | Boone County | — | Boone | 4 |
| Lake Ahquabi State Park | Warren County | — | Indianola | 4 |
| Backbone State Park | Delaware County | — | Strawberry Point | 2 |
| Red Haw State Park | Lucas County | — | Chariton | 4 |
| Rock Creek State Park | Jasper County | — | Grinnell | 3 |
| Dolliver Memorial State Park | Webster County | — | Fort Dodge | 3 |
| Elk Rock State Park | Marion County | — | Knoxville | 3 |
| Stone State Park | Woodbury County | — | North Sioux City | 5 |
| Geode State Park | Henry County | — | New London | 3 |
| Pilot Knob State Park | Winnebago County | — | Forest City | 3 |
| Pillsbury Point State Park | Dickinson County | — | Arnolds Park | 4 |
| Lewis and Clark State Park | Monona County | — | Onawa | 3 |
| Wapsipinicon State Park | Jones County | — | Anamosa | 5 |
| Lake Darling State Park | Jefferson County | — | Maharishi Vedic City | 3 |
| Lake Keomah State Park | Mahaska County | — | Oskaloosa | 3 |
| Walnut Woods State Park | Polk County | — | West Des Moines | 6 |
| Springbrook State Park | Guthrie County | — | Lake Panorama | 2 |
| Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center | Dubuque County | — | East Dubuque | 6 |
| Waubonsie State Park | Fremont County | — | Hamburg | 3 |
| Lacey-Keosauqua State Park | Van Buren County | — | Memphis | 2 |
| Beeds Lake State Park | Franklin County | — | Hampton | 4 |
| Lake Anita State Park | Cass County | — | Atlantic | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.