Jointly managed by the Decatur County Conservation Board and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the 2,200 acre Little River Recreation Area offers something for everyone. Little River Lake (787acres) has and will provide excellent fishing and pleasure boating, while the surrounding area provides some excellent upland game bird hunting, cross country skiing, and hiking. Other activities include camping, picnicking, archery, and swimming. Whatever you enjoy, the choice is yours at Little River Recreation Area.
Little River Lake is currently in the process of a lake restoration.
- Due to the warm winter, the lake restortion was not completed during the winter of 2011- 2012
- The lake will be held 10 to 12 feet down from normal pool until the lake restoration is complete in the winter of 2012- 2013
- The fish population has been renovated, the stocking process has started, it wil take a few years to get back to a fishable population.
- The Beach will be closed for the summer for 2012
- there will not be swimming allowed in the rest of the lake.
- The boatramps are closed, small boats and canoes can still be put into the lake
- No water skiing allowed untill water levels are back to normal.
- The cabins and Capground are still open.
Please call with any questions: 641-446-7307
Location
Take Highway 2 east from I-35 (exit 12) 4.5 miles or take Highway 2 west from Leon .5 mile.
Features
Thirty campsites are located on the areas. Of these, sixteen are RV sites with electricity, and fourteen are tent sites. Portable water is within close proximity to all sites and a shower house with modern restrooms is located in the campground and available to all campers. The campground is situated close to the lake and boats may be pulled up on shore.
Rental cabins (log-style) are also available for rent. These rustic cabins are a great way to experience the outdoors without having to pull a camper or pitch a tent. Each cabin is one room, handicap accessible and has a patio facing a lake. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the Conservation Board.
Picnic sites are located throughout the park. The park's largest picnic area, located on the southeast portion of the lake, has restrooms and a playground for the kids. The shelter may be reserved for a small fee or used on a first come, first served basis. All picnic sites throughout the park have tables and grills.