Big Woods Lake Recreation Area image

Big Woods Lake Recreation Area

Tourist attraction Park

One of the Top rated Tourist attractions in Cedar Falls


Address

1228 Big Woods Rd, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, United States

Website

cedarfalls.com

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (347 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 6 am to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 6 am to 10 pm
  • Monday: 6 am to 10 pm
  • Tuesday: 6 am to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 6 am to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 6 am to 10 pm
  • Friday: 6 am to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: lake (11) nice (8) trails (6) campground (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Anna B. 10 months ago on Google • 54 reviews
    Amazing place and great for foraging!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amy M. 3 years ago on Google • 158 reviews
    This is a really nice park, connected to lots of trails in the Cedar Valley. There is a campground, a few cabins, and the lake is very fun to explore via Kayaks. We love to go early in the morning to get a really nice experience with mother nature and all the animals.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leanne S. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice picnic facilities! Clean and shaded. Very nice recreation areas!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Safyre E. 7 months ago on Google • 44 reviews
    I love this place! Who knew that a campground could be so fun?! Legitimately, it’s a great place for families. There’s a campground, for camping, (obviously), there’s kayaks for the water, and even better- there’s a Storywalk! Which is exactly like what it sounds. You go on a walk, (it’s not too long), and along the way, you’re reading a story. There’s book pages that are placed throughout the walk, so that you can read with your little ones (or big ones!) and create memories. It’s a lot of fun, especially with the kiddos who are just learning how to read. 10/10 for sure!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John K. 1 year ago on Google • 285 reviews
    This is a nice lake and park. Very quiet and peaceful. It is very busy, but lots of room on the trails to spread out. Doesn't seem crowded. Great place to kayak and power boats are no wake. We haven't used the camp grounds, but they are nice. Only complaint I have heard is the lack of shade in the campground area.

  • 4/5 Mike V. 1 year ago on Google
    Love to kayak here and walk around the lake as well.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Melissa B. 1 year ago on Google • 93 reviews
    This facility is AMAZING! This is a community park that appears to be well known among the local region. Currently, it is $30/night for full hook ups and is big enough to accomodate our 65ft rig at many sites, there are pull through and back in spots, first come first serve. Due to our size we opted for a pull through in mid September. The grounds and local community are beatiful and well kept up. There is a paved lake walk that is about 1.25mi around as well as other local walking and biking opportunities. Bathroom is maintained with showers, no laundry. Regularly patrolled by park rangers. Highly recommend this facility and community.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rob K. 6 months ago on Google • 37 reviews
    Beautiful and quiet when I visited.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Morgan S. 4 years ago on Google • 3 reviews
    Nice campground (we tent camped). Nice trail all the way around the lake. Bathrooms, sadly on opposite end from tent camping area, were clean with a small playground outside. We had 4 adults and 3 kids, 3 and under - it worked well for us!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Michael M. 1 year ago on Google • 114 reviews
    The trails are nice, there's a combination of paved and grass trails. There are beautiful views of the lake and the lake itself is great for non motorized recreation. However there is no swimming allowed in the lake. It is also good for fishing on the main Lake and the back Waters to the west of the bridge. The only knock is there is often a lot of vegetation that is reaching out to the very edge or even over the trail that makes it pretty tight in areas especially in the corners, make me some of the corners blind so use a lot of caution for bikes and runners

  • 3/5 Nate L. 2 years ago on Google • 97 reviews
    This is a really beautiful park with lots to do. But unfortunately it is lacking in restroom facilities, so it will really limit how much time you and your family will want to stay. Vault toilets with a horrible smell, zero privacy, and the buildings have no roof. I repeat no roof. So the space is completely exposed to the elements, you will need to bring your own tissue.

  • 5/5 Jaime S. 1 year ago on Google
    This was an awesome campground and on an actual island. Surrounded by water and many large trees. Hiking trails and areas to view the water. Was able to back a big Motor coach and trailer into our site.

  • 5/5 Bunny “Becky-Boo” G. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to walk around the lake and nature trails. Small lake offers a great place for fishing, boating (no wake), kayaking, swimming and more! Large parking area, place with picnic tables and bathrooms (*note: no doors on bathroom stalls)

  • 5/5 Catherine M. 11 months ago on Google
    Great walking path and great disc golf course

  • 5/5 TheGaming W. 9 months ago on Google
    Was a beautiful lovely place to visit

  • 5/5 Greyson B. 9 months ago on Google • 2 reviews
    A real nice place! My girlfriend and I had some professional pictures done here a year ago, and I’ve done some fishing here this summer. It’s no wake, so it’s quiet. I recommend fishing under the footbridge down to the left of the main parking lot on the south side of the lake. A good place to spend a Sunday afternoon!


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Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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