Big Creek State Park

Big Creek Lake's clear water provides great family swimming fun. Refreshments are available at the beach during the swimming season. A large wooden play structure, accessible to the mobility impaired, is located at the beach. Disc golf, model air, softball, and volleyball areas provide additional entertainment.

Big Creek Lake provides excellent fishing year-round. The lake's clear waters are stocked with crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and muskie. The lake is popular for a variety of boating activities. Any size motor may be operated at "no wake" speeds on the lake. Five modern boat ramps, three on the west side and two on the east, provide excellent access to the lake. A gravel ramp is located on the upper end of the lake. Sailboat rigging zones and vehicle parking areas are at each modern ramp. A 88-berth "dry-dock" area is at the northeast corner of the park. Arrangements for rental of dry-docking space may be made through the park office. A fishing pier is accessible to the mobility impaired.

Facilities and Activities

Picnicking/Shelters
Shelters and picnic areas, a beach, playground, a multi-purpose sports field and several boat ramps provide a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Open picnic shelters, located in pleasant settings around the lake, can be reserved through the park reservation system . The brown picnic tables located at the shelters are handicapped accessible.

Camping
Camping is not permitted at Big Creek State Park. However, there are several large federal and county camping areas about four miles away on Saylorville Lake.

Trails
A 26-mile paved multi-use trail allows bicyclists and pedestrians to travel from the beach south through the Saylorville Lake area all the way to Des Moines. Eleven miles of snowmobile trails provide winter recreational opportunities. Big Creek is also popular with cross-country skiers.

Lake Activities (swimming, boating, fishing)
Big Creek Lake's clear water provides great family swimming fun. Refreshments are available at the beach during the swimming season. A large wooden play structure, accessible to the mobility impaired, is located at the beach. Disc golf, model air, softball, and volleyball areas provide additional entertainment.

Big Creek Lake provides excellent fishing year-round. The lake's clear waters are stocked with crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and muskie. The lake is popular for a variety of boating activities. Any size motor may be operated at "no wake" speeds on the lake. Five modern boat ramps, three on the west side and two on the east, provide excellent access to the lake. A gravel ramp is located on the upper end of the lake. Sailboat rigging zones and vehicle parking areas are at each modern ramp. A 88-berth "dry-dock" area is at the northeast corner of the park. Arrangements for rental of dry-docking space may be made through the park office. A fishing pier is accessible to the mobility impaired.

Big Creek has a concessionaire that offers pontoon boats, kayaks, paddle boards, bicycles, and more. To contact the concessionaire call 515-984-6083 or email them at bigcreekmarina.com.

Hunting
The state park is a wildlife refuge where hunting is not permitted. However, hunting is allowed on the lake itself and in designated public hunting areas around the lake. Upland areas open for hunting are marked with public hunting signs. Favorite game includes pheasants, rabbit, deer and squirrel. Waterfowl hunting is popular on the lake.

Amenities

Within park
Bait, Beach, Bicycling, Bicycling, Bird Watching, Boat Launch Ramp, Boat Rental, Boating, Canoeing, Catering, Concession, Cross Country Skiing, Dock Slips, Dock, Boat, Dock, Fishing, Fish Cleaning Station, Fishing, Frisbee Disc Golf, Fuel, Boats, Hiking, Jogging/Running, Kayak Rental, Kayaking, Maintenance, Boat, Marina, Paddle Boating, Park Lake, Parking, Picnic Area, Picnic Shelter, Pier, Fishing, Playground, Rentals, Bicycle, Rentals, Fishing Equipment, Sail Boating, Snowmobiling, Swimming - Beach, Trails, Cross Country Skiing, Trails, Snowmobile, Wildflower Viewing, Wildlife Viewing, Windsurfing/Sailboarding