North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)
Campground · Iowa · 1 bookable site ·
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Red Rock (Federal Recreation Area) · Open Access
- 1
- Bookable site
- up to 250
- People per site
- 1
- Accessible site
- 802 ft
- Elevation
Overview
North Overlook Picnic Shelter is located adjacent from North Overlook Campground on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.
For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here: Lake Red Rock Website
Features
15 - Picnic tables
6 - Standard electrical outlets
1 - 44" x 40" outdoor grill
62 - Paved parking stalls
2 - Enclosed fireplaces
Overhead lighting
Deck
Water fountain
Close to restroom
Close to Volksweg trial access
Close to beach access
Recreation
Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. 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.
Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.
Facilities
North Overlook Picnic Shelter is a conventional open shelter that offers 20 amp electrical service, picnic tables, an outdoor grill, fire ring, water fountain and nearby flush toilets.
If your event is open to the public, greater than 100 people, involves live or amplified music, or if alcohol will be available to attendees, you may need an event permit. Click the link below to apply for an event permit:
Special Event Permit
If shelter is not reserved, it is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
Shelter occupancy is permitted until dusk.
Natural Features
Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lake shore at North Overlook, 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 spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March. White-tailed deer, turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake.Nearby Attractions
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.Charges & Cancellations
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Cancel or change reservations through recreation.com or by calling 1-877-444-6677. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.The facts
- 1 bookable site
- 1 site for day use only
- 1 accessible site
- Up to 250 people per site
- Loops: North Overlook Picnic Shelter
Site types
- 1 Group Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups.
1 campsite at North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)
Check-in 8:00 AM · Check-out 8:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Overlook Picnic Shelter | North Overlook Picnic Shelter | Group Shelter Electric | — | Paved | — | 250 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
1007 Hwy T15
Knoxville, Iowa 50138
From Pella, Iowa, take County Highway T-15 southwest for 3 miles, then follow signs to North Overlook Picnic Shelter.
41.36392, -92.98646 · 41°21'50.1"N 92°59'11.3"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 1.0 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 1.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)
- Can you reserve a site at North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)?
- Yes, North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia) have?
- 1 site.
- Are pets allowed at North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)?
- Yes, pets are allowed at North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia).
- Does North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia) have hookups?
- Electric.
- Are campfires allowed at North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)?
- Campfires are allowed at North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)
- South Tailwater Picnic Shelter 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Overlook (Ia) 0.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Howell Station 0.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Tailwater Picnic Shelter 1.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- North Overlook Camp 1.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Whitebreast Camp 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Miner's Retreat Enclosed Shelter (Ia) 2.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Wallashuck 2.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Whitebreast Point Shelter (Ia) 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Fifield (Ia) 4.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake) 33.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake) 34 mi · Campground · we watch it
Contact
- Phone 641-828-7522
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-07-24.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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