A Quick 48 Hours: Pine Lake State Park, Eldora, Iowa
In 2009, a massive storm with softball-sized hail and 100 mph winds tore through the park and stripped every tree of its leaves in a matter of minutes. The deciduous trees survived, but the storm ultimately wiped out the majority of white pines in the park, upwards of 85%. These pines happen to be a very rare population pocket of "southern" white pines, as well as the park's namesake. Today, visitors see standing snag pines, which, in even death, provide home, food, and perch to many bird and mammal populations.
Snag limited-edition, signed and numbered prints by Jennifer Drinkwater. Each piece is printed on high-quality Hahnemuhle photo rag paper measuring 10" H x 18" that includes a 1" white border suitable for matting and framing. Twenty percent of sales support the Friends of Pine Lake State Park.
In 2019, I spent some good quality time learning about the ins and outs of Pine Lake State Park, thanks to park ranger Andy Place and my stint in the Iowa Art’s Council 20 Artists/20 Parks project.
(Backstory: The Iowa Arts Council and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources partnered to fund 20 Iowa artists to create artwork about 20 Iowa state parks to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Iowa’s state parks in a series of exhibitions around the state and artist-led programming in the parks. Well, we all know what happened in 2020, so half of the exhibitions and almost all of the programs were cancelled.)
Dedicated in 1929 along the Iowa River, Pine Lake State Park, one of the oldest of Iowa’s state parks, is located in Hardin County near the small town of Eldora. The park was established in part to preserve a tract of old growth white pine trees growing unusually far south along the Iowa River. Much of it, including the second lake, cabins, shelters, was built by 250 Civilian Conservation Corps workers from 1933 to 1943. In fact, Eldora is home to the CCC Museum, which I highly recommend visiting.
Here are a few more recommendations when planning a visit to Pine Lake. Special thanks to Andy for his input to this list!
Where to Stay
CCC Cabins, Pine lake State Park. Built in the late 1930’s, these four stone and timber cabins are outfitted with a small kitchen and fireplace.
Campground, Pine Lake State Park. PLSP has several campsites available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Cabins, Tower Rock County Park, Hardin County. At just under 20 acres, Tower Rock is much smaller than PLSP, but considered a hidden gem by locals.
AmericInn, Iowa Falls. A hotel if roughing it is not really your thing.
Jennifer Drinkwater, Sprout, acrylic on wood panel, 11.5” x 15.25”, 2019.
On my first visit to Pine Lake State Park, Ranger Andy Place pointed out tiny white pine saplings protected from browsing deer by small cages. He relayed how these tree-teenagers were raised for TEN YEARS by a super Friends of Pine Lake volunteer who noticed them sprouting on the bank after a massive 2009 hailstorm wiped out 85% of their ancestors in the park. This woman took them home (with permission of the park board) and tended to them for a mere decade in her home nursery before transplanting them back in the park.
What to Eat
Love a Latte Coffee Shop, Eldora. Love a pun, too.
Panda One, Eldora. Chinese food right in Eldora.
Ahoy Fountain, Eldora. A self-described 1950’s soda fountain.
Scenic City Empress Riverboat Dinner Cruise, Iowa Falls. The Empress is a 50 passenger double-decker pontoon boat that hosts weekend public cruises as well as private cruises June through mid-October, including Concert Cruises.
Eldora Firehouse Saloon & Grill, Eldora.
Happenings Bar, Steamboat Rock. Karaoke and live music each month in Steamboat Rock.
River Tap, Iowa Falls. Pizza and beer.
Red Rooster Grill, Iowa Falls.
Iowa’s Longest Running Popcorn Stand, Iowa Falls. As a popcorn fanatic, I was happy to learn of this place.
Jennifer Drinkwater. Pine Lake Honky Tonk, acrylic on wood panel, 11.5” x 15.25”, 2019.
A brief history lesson: the CCC was started by FDR in 1933 as an antidote to the millions of young men unemployed by the decrease in farming jobs and later by the Great Depression. Men earned $30/week, were provided 3 meals a day, and were housed in camps across the country to work on government land and government-only projects, so as not to interfere with the private sector.
A CCC camp was located in Eldora. CCC labor transformed this park, and parks across Iowa and the nation. Millions of acres of land preserved, and the beloved Appalachian Trail improved and completed. Annual park visitors tripled from 1 to 3 million a year, mainly due to increased access roads and more amenities built by the men, such as picnic shelters, docks, and cabins. The legacy of this program is in every corner of the US, and is often unnoticed by us, as it’s become such a part of our cultural landscape.
What to Do
The Sac & Fox Overlook, Steamboat Rock. Ranger Andy Place recommends this county park just north of Steamboat Rock for its large open shelter featuring a beautiful view of the Iowa River Valley, which is a must see in the fall.
Eldora Grand Theatre, Eldora. Built in the 1940's, the Eldora Grand is currently owned by the city and run by a volunteer board, and shows movies (when there isn't a pandemic) for very cheap, less than $5 for adults.
Aquatic Center at Twister Park, Eldora.
Memorial Park Playground, Eldora. Brand new community playground
Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, Hardin County Campground. Located in the old CCC camp, the museum was created in 2012 by a high school student and included in the National Historic Registry a mere four years later.
Swinging Bridge, Iowa Falls. You can view the Iowa River from this bridge at 1020 Rocksylvania Ave in Iowa Falls.
Pine Lake Festival, last Saturday in July, Eldora.
Rainsbarger Days, early September, Steamboat Rock.
Enjoy!
Want the condensed list? Download a free PDF of great ways to spend A Quick 48 Hours near Pine Lake State Park.
Plus! Looking for a few other off-the-beaten-path itineraries this year? Check out more places to spend A Quick 48 Hours:
Like what you see? Invest in a painting or a limited edition print of Pine Lake State Park.
Jennifer Drinkwater, Dockside, 11.5" x 17.5", 2019. Invest in a print of Dockside here.
This painting stems from an old photograph of Conservation Officer Gene "Bud" Bloudek on the left. Andy Place first pointed out this photo, which I later stumbled upon in a photo album at the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum in Eldora. The dedication of the album reads, "..What does Pine Lake do for us? She embraces our family and friends as we celebrate time together. Her majestic trees and soothing waters give us peace in a hectic world. She nurtures our bodies with scenic trails for exercise and inspiring views for rest. She gives us quiet paths and peaceful shores for reflection and prayer. She restores our minds, bodies, and souls. Pine Lake gives us so much. She is a special place and we love her dearly. Because of all she does for us, we dedicate this book to our beautiful friend, Pine Lake State Park."