Lake Ahquabi State Park

Lake Ahquabi State Park spreads across about 770 acres of woodland with a central lake of about 115 acres, offering sandy beaches and multiple fishing jetties. The grounds are interwoven with forests and water features that together provide a wide range of recreation and nature experiences.

The Civilian Conservation Corps built the park's stone lodge, shelters, and dam between 1934 and 1937, creating lasting infrastructure during the Great Depression. These structures formed the foundation for the park's development as a public recreation area.

The name Ahquabi comes from Sauk and Fox Native American languages, meaning 'resting place' in reference to the natural surroundings. Visitors can sense this cultural connection while exploring the park, where the landscape still conveys a sense of quiet, untroubled beauty.

The park offers 141 camping sites with electrical hookups, modern restrooms, showers, boat rentals, and about 7 miles of multi-purpose trails for year-round activities. Visitors should note that the best time for fishing and swimming is during the warmer months.

Extensive water quality improvements in the 1990s included dredging, shoreline stabilization, and installation of aeration devices. These efforts resulted in average catch rates about twice as high as other Iowa lakes.