Located in southwest Iowa, Union county has over 2,500 acres of publicly owned prairie and woodland. Outstanding warm water fisheries, log cabin camping, and many opportunities for boating are right here.

Thayer Lake is one mile south of the town of Thayer.
Google Maps
It covers 11 acres and offers boat access, camping, excellent shore fishing, and a picnic area. Recent Iowa fish survey data shows a large number of good sized Black Crappie, here.
Twelve Mile Lake is four miles east of Creston off of U.S. Highway 34.
State Parks
It has some of the best fishing in Iowa. Boaters can operate a no-wake speeds and there are three boat ramps as well as shoreline access. Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Walleye are abundant, here.
At Three Mile Lake, you’ll find an accessible pier, picnic area, beach, hiking trails, a fish cleaning station, and ample boat access including a hard-surface boat ramp.
Iowa DNR
The fishing here is some of the best in the state. The lake is full of Walleye, White Crappie, Yellow Bass, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass. Three Mile Lake is just three miles northwest of Afton.
Enjoy log cabin camping at the Three Mile Recreation Area year round.
Union County Tourism
Cabins have two sets of bunk beds and a queen sized sofa sleeper. Electricity, heat, and air conditioning keep guests comfortable. Each cabin has an incredible view of Three Mile Lake.
Green Valley State Park has 100 campsites, 18 of which have full hookups with water and sewer. There’s a five mile asphalt trail that goes between McKinley Park in Creston and this park, as well.
Reserve America
Enjoy the 14 miles of hiking trails, new playground, a sand beach with a buoyed swimming area, modern restrooms, and seasonal cabins. This park covers 1,000 acres and is located two miles northwest of Creston.

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The lake at Green Valley State Park covers 390 acres and gets busiest on hot summer days.
Reserve America
The beach is a popular place to soak up the Iowa summer sun and cool off in the water. There’s also an area of shoreline designated for 24-hour fishing access.
Summit Lake is a great place to fish for channel catfish.
Alan Wolf/Flickr
Year-round boat access to the lake is easy from the Summit Lake Bridge on State Highway 25.
Just 1.5 miles west of Afton on old Highway 34, Afton Lake is another great place to fish.
Afton Website
Bluegill, bass, and catfish are abundant, here.
With the towns of Greenfield, Afton, Orient, and Creston close by, these six lakes in Union county get many visitors.
Union County Tourism Website
This is heaven for people who love to fish, camp, lounge on the beach, cook out, and just relax in Iowa’s beautiful outdoor areas.
For more information about Union county parks, call 641-782-5131. Reservations are required for cabins, and rules about claiming campsites vary from park to park.
Reserve America
If you visit the area during a spring or fall waterfowl migration, plan to stop at Green Valley Stat Park and walk the trail. It goes through DNR managed Mitchell Marsh, and you’ll get a great view of the wildlife, there.

Do you have a favorite Iowa lake? Tell us about it in the comments.

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