Ivans

Ivans sits just below the Red Rock Dam and Lake on the south side of the Des Moines River, across the river from Howell Station Campground. Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake, located just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the sprint car capital of the world. Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing, wakeboarding and swimming opportunities, and miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, walleye, largemouth and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill, and the great river fishing access is a draw in itself. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area, including the 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail, which stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and the Cordova Recreation Area. Ivans offers 21 campsites with 50-amp electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, showers and drinking water. Hardwood forests cover the riverbanks at Ivans, offering shade and scenic views. Wildlife is abundant around the lake: a wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrates through the area in the spring and fall, bald eagles can be observed from November through March, and white-tailed deer, turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake. Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.