Natural swimming hole
Union Grove State Park beach
Lake · Iowa
About this swimming hole
Union Grove State Park, established in 1938, centers on a 110-acre lake in northwest Tama County, with a dam and waterfall in the woods nearby. The beach offers unsupervised swimming, and one of the lake's two boat ramps sits near the beach. Boats on the lake operate at no-wake speeds.
Good to know
| Water type | Lake |
|---|---|
| Depth | lake maximum depth 20 ft |
| Best season | June-August |
| Fees | Free |
| Reservations required | No |
| Parking | state park lots |
| Amenities | swimming beach, boat ramps, campground, hiking trails |
| County | Tama County |
| Nearest town | Gladbrook |
| Safety notes | unsupervised beach; no lifeguard; this beach has periodically exceeded E. coli standards in DNR monitoring, including in September 2026 - check current DNR beach monitoring before swimming |
Map
Official information
Official park / agency page ↗ — check current conditions, fees, and reservations here before you go.
Nearby swimming holes
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Union Grove State Park beach?
Yes — Union Grove State Park beach is listed as a natural swimming spot in Iowa. Heads-up: unsupervised beach; no lifeguard; this beach has periodically exceeded E. coli standards in DNR monitoring, including in September 2026 - check current DNR beach monitoring before swimming. There are rarely lifeguards at natural swimming holes — verify conditions locally before you go.
Does Union Grove State Park beach require reservations?
No reservations are required at Union Grove State Park beach based on current information — but verify before you go.
Is there a fee to visit Union Grove State Park beach?
Reported fee info: Free. Fees can change — confirm with the official link.
When is the best time to visit Union Grove State Park beach?
The best season is typically June-August.