As the weather improves, interest in camping at Lake Darling State Park is increasing. Tom Basten is the state Department of Natural Resource’s southeast Iowa parks supervisor and oversees the operations of several parks in this region, including Lake Darling State Park. Basten encourages everyone to visit what’s essentially a brand new park.

He says camping is open year round, but some amenities are not yet available, like the shower buildings, which will not be open until mid-April due to the chance for freezing temperatures. Basten shares they’ll begin renting canoes, kayaks and their new stand up paddle boards by the end of May.

Camping reservations can be made on the Iowa State Parks Reservation website.