Swan Lake State Park

Very nice wooded sites not sure big rigs (40 ftrs) would be happy. Gravel sites, 30/50 amps, nice lake and surroundings. We will be back.

We stayed in the lower campsite on the lake. The top section is for long term camping. Had water and electric. Basically a gravel lot with trees. Was hard to tell which campsite was which. But we where the only one there so it was nice and quiet. There is a dump in the park. Very clean park and host was very helpful.

Generally when you go to a state park you expect some green space at your campsite. It may be older park and a tighter squeeze, but you should get some grass in Iowa. Not here. While called a State Park, it is managed by the County Conservation Board and they have not met the standard I expect for a state park campground. The campground is a gravel lot. Not a blade of grass to be found. The photograph says it all. Rigs are squeezed in so that there is very little room between them for a picnic table or opening an awning. But that's OK because who wants to sit out in a gravel lot. On the plus side, I didn't feel unsafe or anything. It was a nice atmosphere ... for a gravel parking lot.

The campground is really a two star campground but I upped the rating to three stars for two reasons. 1) The campground host was friendly, helpful, and proactive. I don't see enough of that. 2) the park itself is wonderful. It has an extensive paved bike trail, a lake with a beach and kayak rentals, a large frisbee golf course, and a couple of bison to boot! Truly a lovely park to spend a summer in.

Clean, well cared for area. Fills up fast on summer weekend starting Thursday afternoon.

Lots of room to walk off a day’s travel. I probably wouldn’t come here for a week long camp out but for a night it’s great.