State: Iowa
Address 1: 3333 Racine Ave.
City: Danville
Zip: 52623
Phone: 319/392-4601
Open: Open all year
Open all Year: Yes
Number of Sites: 168
Electric: 87
Camp URL: http://www.iowadnr.gov/parks/state_park_list/geode.html
Full Hook: Yes
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. A picnic site accessible to the mobility impaired is available.
There are 168 campsites with enough variety to suit anyone’s tastes (87 sites have 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.
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.
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.
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.