Badger Creek State Recreation Area – Van Meter, Iowa

badger creek state recreation area van meter iowa (1)

Badger Creek State Recreation Area is a popular fishing destination, with a large lake. There are no designated trails but there is wooded space to explore as well. Every year in mid-July, there is a large sunflower field that is popular for taking pictures  (details below for the 2017 field location).

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Information:

Name: Badger Creek State Recreation Area
Address: G14 and Badger Creek Road Van Meter, Iowa – this is the closest GPS intersection I could find, the entrance to the park is north of here (picture below).
Type: Places to visit
Bathrooms: Yes, non-flush
Shade: No
Playground: No
Trails: No
Water: Yes, lake
Other notes: Boating and fishing. Stunning sunflower field in mid-summer, pelican flock in late spring.
Official Website:   http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks-Rec-Areas/Iowas-State-Parks/ParkDetails/ParkID/1
DSMOF Blog posts:
Other things nearby of note:
If you’re looking for other places to get outside, check back-in with the interactive map!

Pictures:

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park

Yellow box is where you park for the main entrance!

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I thought this trail would lead to something more, but it died out quickly.

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[Photo courtesy of Iowa DNR]

[Photo courtesy of Iowa DNR]

badger creek recreation area sunflower field directions

To find the Badger Creek Recreation Area sunflower field, see the photo below for what to type in; you’ll see the sunflowers to your left as you drive in, we parked by the road and followed someone else’s foot path into the field. It is/was in bloom in mid-July.

badger creek sunflower field van meter iowa sunflower fields des moines iowa

 

Have you been here? Leave a comment and let people know what you think!

6 thoughts on “Badger Creek State Recreation Area – Van Meter, Iowa

  1. Alisha Urich says:

    I am curious if there is a sun flower field this year? I had heard that they planted corn instead of sunflowers?

    Reply
  2. Robert Culbertson says:

    Has there been a fish kill in the lake in the last year? Seems to be less fish bitting and saw dead fish last year

    Reply

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