We love our connection to nature and outdoor life in 
Newton, IA. When we want to escape the confines of city life, we reach for the picnic basket and the car keys. There are many great state parks within easy reach of our city, and we want to share some of their highlights with you.
Rock Creek State Park
Rock Creek is one of central Iowa’s major parks and was dedicated in 1952. It covers more than 600 acres and includes the beautiful Rock Creek Lake. Entertainment opportunities abound in this park. If you enjoy a leisurely day fishing, bass, catfish, bullhead, and bluegill and someone of the varied species you’ll find in the lake’s water.
Boating is another relaxing way to spend the day, and the only limitation is you can’t travel at more than 5mph. There are picnic spots around the lake, and you can reserve an open-air site if you’re bringing a larger group with you. Hikers and walkers can both enjoy the varied terrain and eye-catching views while you traverse the 15 miles of lakeshore. Camping is also available at designated sites in the park.
Elk Rock State Park
This park was completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1969 when Lake Red Rock was created. This is a very popular venue for birdwatchers, as more than 200 species of waterfowl and migratory birds live or visit here. You can also see white pelicans and bald eagles regularly visiting the area. Over forty species of fish live in the lake, which provides some of the best fishing in the area.
Camping is available, and they also have an RV park. The campsites include fire rings, picnic tables, showers, and restrooms. It’s advisable to book a site in advance, as they fill up very quickly in spring and summer. Bicycle trails criss-cross the park, and horse riding and hiking are also popular leisure pursuits.
Lake Keomah State Park
An 83-acre man-made lake forms the centerpiece of this 366-acre park. The lush green wooded areas, vibrant marshlands, and wide-open grasslands throughout the area provide a host of different ways to enjoy your time here. Camping is very popular, and the park’s campsite has full-service electricity, water, and sewerage.
Fishing opportunities abound as largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish all thrive in the peaceful waters of the lake. Swimming is a wonderful option to cool off, although it is unsupervised. You can also bring your boat or kayak and enjoy a day out on the water. For the more adventurous, hiking trails can take you up close to see the varied wildlife and birdlife.
Enjoy Your Outdoor Adventures!
Load up your 2022 GMC Acadia AT4 and take a drive through nature. Its powerful 3.6L V6 engine will make short work of the distance. With a towing capacity of 4,000 lbs, you can take your boat and all your gear with you. For all your GMC and Buick needs, visit us at Lauterbach Buick-GMC.
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