Facilities at Union Grove: Modern restroom and shower facilities are open at Union Grove State Park. The north side showers and restrooms are operational, one of the south side showers are open, and one is currently closed for repairs. If you have any questions regarding this closure please contact park staff: 641-473-2556 or union.grove@dnr.iowa.gov (Posted 04/14/2024)
Last Minute Cabin Rentals: If you are unable to reserve a cabin online because the reservation window has closed,
you must call the park office at 641-473-2556 regarding cabin availability.
All last minute cabin rentals must be a minimum of 2 nights, are handled by park staff and must be done prior to arriving at the park.
Book a Campsite at Union Grove State Park, IA
12 site(s) found
Footnotes: (applicable only where specifically marked above)
*** Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.
**** Some sites may be available only from the campground. Call the park to check availability.
*** Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.
**** Some sites may be available only from the campground. Call the park to check availability.
Overview
Description
Union Grove State Park, located in northwest Tama County, is a great place to enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, boating, swimming, bird watching and camping. The park was established in 1938 and its focal point is beautiful 110-acre Union Grove Lake. The lake and the attractive park lands provide a pleasing contrast to the nearby residential and agricultural areas. Union Grove truly offers outdoor recreation fun for everyone.
Recreation:
Lake Activities
The beach at Union Grove Lake offers unsupervised swimming fun for visitors of all ages. The lake also has two boat ramps, one near the beach and one on the west side of the lake. The lake is a "no-wake" lake. Anglers can expect to find bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, saugeye, walleye and northern pike in the lake.
Trails
The park has three miles of scenic trails for hiking and snowmobiling. A variety of wildlife can be seen along the trails with deer and turkey being the most common, as well as numerous varieties of song birds and waterfowl. A beautiful re-established prairie and a pine plantation are located in the northeast corner of the park, just off the main roadway.
Facilities:
Picnicking/Shelters
Union Grove is a fine place for a family picnic. A number of shaded picnic areas are present, all within sight of the lake. An open picnic shelter near the west boat ramp may be reserved in advance.
Camping
The modern campground offers electric and full hook-up (electric, water, sewer) campsites, a modern shower house and restrooms and a sanitary dump station.
Cabins
Two modern year-round cabins are available at Union Grove State Park. They are ADA accessible and sleep up to four people. Each cabin features a bathroom with shower/tub; full kitchen with basic set of dishes, pans, utensils and a dishwasher; single bedroom with a queen bed and a futon in the living room area can fold down into a second bed. Cabin users must provide their own bedding, towels and other toiletry items. Both cabins are pet friendly and a short distance from the south hiking trail and Union Grove lake.
Nearby Attractions:
The annual Gladbrook Corn Carnival is held at the end of June. Matchstick Marvels, located in Gladbrook, features rocket ships, battleships and Pentagon replicas constructed entirely of matchsticks by a local resident.
Nearby Towns
Union Grove State Park is located 6 miles south of Gladbrook and 5 miles northwest of Garwin. The park is 16 miles from Marshalltown, 20 miles from Tama, and 18 miles from Toledo.
Booking Window
Buddy
Tue Apr 22 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations must be made 2 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Family Cabins Modern
Sun Apr 27 2025 - Mon Apr 20 2026Reservations must be made 7 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Shelters
Sun Apr 27 2025 - Mon Apr 20 2026Reservations must be made 7 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Full Hook-Up
Tue Apr 22 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations must be made 2 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Season Dates
Union Grove Cabins:
Reservable: January 1 - December 31
Union Grove Shelters:
Reservable: May 1 - September 30
Union Grove Campground:
Walk In: January 1 - March 31
Off Peak: April 1 - April 30
Peak: May 1 - October 15
Off Peak: October 16 - October 31
Walk In: November 1 - December 31
Season Schedule
Park Season
Start
End
Off Peak
Tue Apr 01 2025
Wed Apr 30 2025
Peak
Thu May 01 2025
Wed Oct 15 2025
Off Peak
Thu Oct 16 2025
Fri Oct 31 2025
Walk In
Sat Nov 01 2025
Tue Mar 31 2026
Off Peak
Wed Apr 01 2026
Thu Apr 30 2026
Services and Amenities
Within Park
- Boat Launch Ramp
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Dump Station
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Jogging/Running
- Modern Restroom
- Park Lake
- Park Office
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Picnicking
- Registration Building
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Swimming - Beach
- Toilet, Pit/Vault
- Trash Dumpster
- Walking
- Water Hydrants
- Wildlife Viewing
Within 10 Miles
- Church
- Fuel, Vehicles
- Grocery Store
- Medical Clinic
- Town
Greater Than 10 Miles
- Hospital
- Motel
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2025 -
Apr 30 2025
Apr 01 2025 -
Apr 30 2025
Standard Full Hook-Up
$18.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$90.00
($540.00 Weekly**)
($540.00 Weekly**)
Buddy
$24.00-$36.00
Peak Season
May 01 2025 -
Oct 15 2025
May 01 2025 -
Oct 15 2025
Standard Full Hook-Up
$30.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$90.00
($540.00 Weekly**)
($540.00 Weekly**)
Buddy
$36.00-$60.00
Off Peak Season
Oct 16 2025 -
Oct 31 2025
Oct 16 2025 -
Oct 31 2025
Standard Full Hook-Up
$18.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$90.00
($540.00 Weekly**)
($540.00 Weekly**)
Buddy
$24.00-$36.00
Walk In Season
Nov 01 2025 -
Mar 31 2026
Nov 01 2025 -
Mar 31 2026
Standard Full Hook-Up
$18.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$90.00
($540.00 Weekly**)
($540.00 Weekly**)
Buddy
$36.00
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2026 -
Apr 30 2026
Apr 01 2026 -
Apr 30 2026
Standard Full Hook-Up
$18.00
Shelters
$30.00
Family Cabins Modern
$90.00
($540.00 Weekly**)
($540.00 Weekly**)
Buddy
$24.00-$36.00
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
42.13556, -92.72389
42°8'8"N, 92°43'26"W
Drive 5 miles south of Gladbrook on county road T-47. Turn west on 220th St. and continue 1 mile to the park entrance.
42.13556, -92.72389
42°8'8"N, 92°43'26"W
Drive 5 miles south of Gladbrook on county road T-47. Turn west on 220th St. and continue 1 mile to the park entrance.
Nearby Parks
[24.35 miles*]
[27.09 miles*]
[31.79 miles*]
Visit
