During the hot days of summer, there’s nothing like a swimming hole to cool off and turn back the clock. Remember those carefree days of summer as a kid, when you headed to the lake early in the morning and didn’t come back until the sun had set? No cares in the world except staying cool and having fun. Well, at FW Kent State Park in Oxford, Iowa, it’s easy to turn back the clock. A small state park featuring one of the best man-made swimming holes in Iowa, this haven is the perfect place for carefree summer recreation.

It's Iowa's best-kept secret - and now you're in the club. FW Kent Park is the best out-of-the-way place to beat the heat.
Amy Young/AllTrails
A peaceful trail gives you the perfect vantage point to look out at the man-made 27-acre lake that also doubles as one of Iowa's best swimming holes.
Johnson County, Iowa
On a cooler day, it's a nice laid-back walk along the shore.
Amy Young/AllTrails
The park is rarely crowded, but you'll find savvy vacationers here beating the heat.
Val E/TripAdvisor
The long man-made beach will make you feel like you're along the shoreline.
Dru Hummer/AllTrails

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A large fishing pier is the perfect place to sit back and catch catfish, bass, and bluegill.
Lisa S/AllTrails
When you're ready for a break from the water, explore the relaxed trails winding their way around the park.
Dru Hummer/AllTrails
Camping is allowed on the grounds, so bring a tent and pitch a traditional site for a weekend getaway.
Erica C/TripAdvisor
Looking for a book to read while relaxing in the sun? Check out what the local Free Little Library has to offer.
Val E/TripAdvisor
As the sun goes down, take in the views and enjoy one of the best swimming holes in Iowa.
Andrew Longlet/AllTrails

Have you been to FW Kent State Park? Let us know your thoughts about one of the best swimming holes in Iowa in the comments section. Make sure to visit the state website before you go to learn more about the park’s amenities, and visit here for more of the state’s best swimming holes!

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F. W. Kent Park Fishing Dock, 2080 US-6 NW, Oxford, IA 52322, USA