Did you know that buried beneath the rich Iowa soil are some of the best geodes in the world? That’s right; the area around Keokuk, Iowa, is known by rockhounds far and wide. And perched on the edge of what’s generally considered Iowa’s geode country (a 70-mile radius from Keokuk) is a quiet, beautiful lake bearing the name of this famous rock found near its shores.
Geode State Park is an Iowa state park that was founded in 1937. As you might have guessed, it’s named for the extra beautiful, extra high-quality geodes found in this area of Iowa.
Cristy / OIYS In fact, geodes are Iowa’s state rock!
The Southeast Iowa Bike Route runs through this park. Trails crisscross its forests. But the park’s largest feature is the 150-acre Geode Lake.
Nyttend / Wikipedia
Although you may have heard that Geode Lake was drained, it has been filled back up and is as beautiful and serene as ever!
Cristy / OIYS
Offering fishing, hiking, a swimming beach, picnicking, boating, camping, and more, this lake is a beautiful place to spend the day in Iowa geode country.
Cristy / OIYS Be forewarned, though, that if you come expecting to find some geodes of your own, think again. Collecting geodes is prohibited at Geode State Park. But also, most of the geodes in this area, since it is located on the edge of geode country, have already been found.
However, you can come to this state park expecting to see some geodes, even if you can’t take them home. There’s an impressive display of local rocks and minerals in the office at the entrance of the park, including geodes galore…
Cristy / OIYS
…and the office building is even constructed with some of these sparkling, cavernous crystals!
Cristy / OIYS
To learn more about this beautiful spot in Iowa along the Henry County and Des Moines County border, visit the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website here. Have you ever explored this unique area of Iowa? If you venture this way in the coming weeks, try booking a stay in Keokuk itself as part of a relaxing getaway to southeastern Iowa.
Cristy / OIYS
In fact, geodes are Iowa’s state rock!
Nyttend / Wikipedia
Be forewarned, though, that if you come expecting to find some geodes of your own, think again. Collecting geodes is prohibited at Geode State Park. But also, most of the geodes in this area, since it is located on the edge of geode country, have already been found.
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Address: Geode Lake, Iowa 52623, USA
