"We don't hibernate completely," said Kevin Szcodronski, chief of state parks for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. "We have a lot of unique opportunities during the winter months and our parks are open all winter long." 
A solitary camping experience is available in state park cabins at Lake Wapello, Backbone, Pine Lake, Lake of Three Fires, Wilson Island, Black Hawk, Springbrook and Waubonsie. For a more rustic feel, there are camping cabins and the DNR's only heated shower building at Honey Creek State Park. Click this link to see the cabins, their amenities and to make a reservation.
Honey Creek Resort State Park offers cottages with more amenities, a hotel, an indoor water park, a restaurant and organized activities. Information on the resort is available online.
Many state parks offer fishing, from northeast Iowa's trout streams to lakes across the state. Iowa trout streams hold fish through the winter and since the streams consist of spring fed, 50 degree water, they rarely freeze. Trout streams are in some of the most scenic areas in the state and offer a near solitary experience during the winter.
Ice conditions are favorable over most of the state and many lakes in Iowa state parks will offer excellent fishing this winter. Lake Anita, Viking Lake, Lake Macbride, Green Valley, Lake Rathbun, Clear Lake, Spirit Lake, West Okoboji Lake, Big Creek, Lake Ahquabi, Red Haw and more are already producing excellent fishing for panfish and walleyes.
The trail systems in state parks are popular venues during the winter for hiking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Some state parks have trails that accommodate snowmobiling. For a listing of state parks, go to the Iowa DNR's website then click on the state parks link in the column on the left. Select the park from the interactive map at the bottom of the page to see if snowmobiles are allowed on the trails.
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