Friends of Pine Lake State Park

09/07/2022

Jump in your favorite car, fire up the engine, roll down the windows, turn up the radio, and put on your biggest smile. It is time to hit the road to show your support for state parks in Iowa.

The crew for Anna Rea the 1930 Ford Model A invites everybody to drive along for the visit to Pine Lake State Park and Beeds Lake State Park on Sunday September 11, 2022. While the tour is emphasizing vintage or classic cars, participants can join the fun in any vehicle of their choice.

People wanting to tour Pine Lake State Park can join us on the north side of the Hardin County Courthouse along Highway 175 at 9:30 AM. We will depart Eldora in time to arrive at Pine Lake State Park by 10:00. We will do a windshield tour of the park and listen to a short presentation by park staff. Upon leaving Pine Lake State Park the tour will proceed to Beeds Lake State Park. People interested in joining the tour for Beeds Lake State Park can do so by being in Hampton at the Franklin County Courthouse at 12 1st Avenue NW by 2:30 PM. We will depart Hampton in time to arrive at Beeds Lake State Park by 3:00 PM. The tour will continue on September 12TH to Clear Lake State Park and McIntosh Woods State Park, see website for details.

Crew members are Kevin Szcodronski of Ankeny and Ann Raisch of Eldora. They will be leading the tour in an original 1930 Ford Model A affectionately named Anna Rea to visit all 94 state parks in Iowa.

The purposes of the tour are to show support for state parks in Iowa, recognize the contributions that state parks provide to our quality of life, celebrate Iowa State Parks Centennial, and enjoy traveling along Iowa’s most scenic roadways at a leisurely pace. Our challenge to you is to drive at Anna Rea’s cruising speed of 40 mph!! This trip is also about the most fun you can have and never leave Iowa. You will visit Iowa’s most beautiful areas and meet some of our best people. Take this challenge to get a glimpse of wildlife in road ditches, have more time to enjoy barn art, wave at oncoming drivers, and beep your horn at the people along the route greeting us!! We will do a lot of smiling, and hopefully put smiles on the faces of others as we travel along the way.

People can participate in the tour for as many visits to state parks as they desire. Be warned though. Once you start, you may not want to stop! There is no fee, however please contact Kevin at least a week in advance to help us better plan the tour.

Five tour loops with 68 state park stops have been accomplished. Plans are underway for the final 26 park visits. More information about the tour can be found on the website: www.annareamodela.com and you can email Kevin Szcodronski by at [email protected] or phone 515-240-7668.

So grab your keys and come along to see the best of Iowa!!
Anna Rea says, “AHOOOOGA.”

In celebration of the Iowa State Parks Centennial, a 1930 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan named Anna Rea will be making 7 road trips over the course of 158 days to visit all 92 of Iowa's State Parks.

08/31/2022

The story walk is back for Labor Day weekend! This time the story begins at the Upper Pine Lake Boat Ramp and follows the trail down to Upper Pine Lake Dam!

05/27/2022

UPDATE: Trail project will start the week of June 6th.

Starting Tuesday May 31st a Conservation Corps of Iowa trail crew will begin replacing a bridge along the South Trail at Pine Lake.

The trails map below shows the area that will be temporary closed during the project. Temporary closure signs will also be posted at the Lower Pine Lake Boat ramp and where the South trail meets the Pine Lake Recreation Trail.

Park staff expects the project to be about three weeks. Updates will be posted as progress is made.

05/19/2022

Make sure to stop by the Park and check out the story walk along the paved trail!

05/15/2022

New signs are being installed around the Park! This one is located at the intersection of 175 and S-56!

02/12/2022

Over 100 participants this morning at the youth ice fishing derby at Pine Lake State Park despite the frigid temps! Thank you Calkins Nature Area, Hardin County Conservation, & Iowa Department of Natural Resources

02/12/2022

Youth ice fishing day is still on despite cold temps, check out Calkins Nature Area for more info/updates!

TOMORROW!!!!!

Our youth ice fishing day at Lower Pine Lake is tomorrow (2-12) starting at 8 am. We will meet at the lower boat ramp for registration and then you are free to go off and fish until noon. Random names will be drawn for prizes starting at 12 pm when fishing concludes. Meet back at the boat ramp for prize giveaways.
As a reminder, our staff members will have equipment on hand for those wanting to learn how to ice fish. Equipment is limited so if you have your own, please bring your own. We look forward to having you all there!

Side note, it looks like temperatures will be colder tomorrow with a high in the mid teens. We will have shacks set up and most will have heaters to keep kids warm. Just remember to bundle up and fish as long as you want! If your kids get too antsy, absolutely feel free to call it a day.

10/11/2021

Be sure to head out to the park this week and check out the story walk!

05/04/2021

When you hike an Iowa State Park, move quietly as to not disturb the locals - you never know what you may see 😉


📷: Endor (aka Backbone State Park)