The Incredible Road Trip Through Iowa That Leads You To 7 Stunning Lakes

Iowa might be far from any coastlines, but that doesn't stop countless Hawkeye State residents from heading to the water each year! Picking which lakefront to visit can be a mighty task, especially given how far-flung some of them are, but here at OnlyInYourState, we feel like the best way to decide is to visit as many as possible! Obviously, it's not practical to visit every lake in Iowa on a single road trip, but we've picked out seven of the best in central and southern Iowa that would make an amazing lake road trip in Iowa. At about six and a half hours of total driving time, this road trip itinerary is ideal for a two-day trip if you want to spend a few hours at each lakeside. Who knows - you might just find the perfect place to get a cabin next summer!

While Iowa is a large, spread-out state, the seven lakes in this road trip are all situated along an arc in the central and eastern parts of the Hawkeye State.

1. Saylorville Lake

You'll start by visiting this massive reservoir on the Des Moines River, less than 10 miles away from Iowa's biggest city. This is the area's top recreation destination, with boaters and anglers coming here every weekend. It can be accessed from Jester Park, and is also home to Fleetwood at Saylorville, Iowa's only floating restaurant.

2. Big Creek Lake

Just a sort distance north of our previous stop, Big Creek Lake is the heart of the massive state park of the same name. Most people seeking recreation head to the marina, where there's a large family-friendly beach complete with unique wooden playgrounds and eating areas. This is one of the state's most popular spots for fishing and boating, so you can expect it to be crowded in the summer.

3. Lake Red Rock

The largest lake in Iowa, Lake Red Rock is about 40 miles from Des Moines and close to the Dutch wonderland of Pella. Surrounded by public land, this beautiful reservoir has a nearby marina for boat rentals. It's pretty common for nature lovers to come here for biking and hiking on the nearby trails and parks before heading onto the water.

4. Swan Lake

A smaller, 100-acre lake found within Swan Lake State Park, this is one of Iowa's more laid-back lakefronts. The park has a campground attached, so it's one of the best spots for a multi-day lake vacation - especially if you love fishing. The lake is constantly stocked with crappies, bluegill, and largemouth bass.

5. Lake MacBride

Found within Iowa's largest state park, about 10 miles from Iowa City, Lake MacBride is an amazing spot for boating, with any size of boat welcome and many people renting from the nearby marina. The only restriction is to keep the boats under five miles an hour. Lake MacBride State Park is a very popular family destination during the summer.

6. Lake Darling

A 300-acre lake in eastern Iowa, Lake Darling has a sandy beach for fun in the sun, and the whole area is full of boat ramps and fishing piers for those who came here for recreation. It's also home to one of the best event spaces in Iowa, the Lake Darling Lodge, which can hold up to 200 people.

7. Rathbun Lake

Our journey ends at Rathbun Lake, not far from the only state-run resort in Iowa, Honey Creek Resort. This beautiful reservoir is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and boating, as the massive lake has more than enough room for everyone - even when the resort is crowded. The surrounding public land is amazing for hiking, and there are even adjacent golf courses for when you're done with the water for the day.

Have you visited any of the locations on this lake road trip in Iowa before? Let us know your favorite lakes in Iowa in the comments section! Of course, we couldn't include all of Iowa's best lakes here - two of Iowa's best vacation destinations, Clear Lake and the Iowa Great Lakes, are found well up in the north of Iowa, so visiting them is likely to be a whole other adventure that we highly recommend. If you're looking for the perfect vehicle to take you on your road trip, consider renting an RV at RVShare when you head out.