State park spotlight: Beeds Lake near Hampton

What a rush: Water spills over the dam at Beeds Lake State Park in north-central Iowa. Photo: Iowa DNR.

Get away from crowded public pools this summer and escape to a lake with a waterfall. Beads Lake State Park is one of Iowa’s hidden gems, a lesser-known state park just north of Hampton in Franklin County. Visitors can hike or bike the 2-mile trail along the shoreline, admire the scenery, and spot the human-made waterfall at the base of the dam.

The Iowa DNR allows boating, fishing and swimming in the lake, and the stone shelter near the beach houses a dining area, kitchen and restrooms. Visit the Iowa DNR website to learn more and reserve camping spots.

You May Also Like

Restaurant spotlight: The Half Nelson

No half about it: We fully recommend The Half Nelson in Davenport. Photo: The ...

Jordanian singer visits Oskaloosa on Midwest tour

Farah Siraj has traveled the world. Her next stop? Oskaloosa. Photo: Yasmina Barber The ...

Tour and taste at three Iowa distilleries

Sip and sample a souvenir from Swisher. Photo: Travel Iowa Iowa has plenty of ...