Description

Pleasant Creek Recreation Area creates a wide variety of enjoyable outdoor experiences for all visitors. As a "no-wake" lake, Pleasant Creek is popular for windsurfers, kayaks, canoes, SCUBA diving and pontoon boats. Near perfect water clarity during spring, and most of the summer, allows great visibility for divers. Kayak and diving lessons are offered throughout the summer by local certified instructors.

Recreation:

Trails
There are ten miles of trails for hiking, snowmobiling, bicycling, cross-country skiing and equestrian riding, with connecting access to many area facilities and scenic overlooks.

Lake Activities
Pleasant Creek Lake offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities for both the novice and the experienced angler. From panfish to large game fish there are species for all anglers to enjoy. Channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, perch, white bass and muskellunge are all commonly caught. Shoreline fishing has been enhanced by the construction of jetties.

Pleasant Creek is a relaxing place to spend a day at the beach. Swimming, volleyball, showers and restrooms are all available at Pleasant Creek's spacious beach which is located on the north shore.

Pleasant Creek Lake is one of the most popular boating spots in eastern Iowa. Four launching sites are conveniently located around the lake. These sites have a total of seven ramps for fishing, leisure boating and sail boating access. Any size boat motor may be operated at "no-wake" speeds.

Hunting
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area is open to public hunting and trapping. Popular species of game include rabbits, pheasants and quail. Pleasant Creek also has an area dedicated to field dog trials. These grounds are groomed to aid the trials, yet maintain Pleasant Creek's natural habitat. Here one may take part in or observe club-hosted shoot-to-retrieve and horseback field trials.

Facilities:

Picnicking/Shelters/Lodge
Pleasant Creek is a great place for a family picnic. Picnic areas are located on the northeast and southeast shores. Two large open picnic shelters and a small lodge, located alongside the lake, are available for reservations.

Camping
Camping is a favorite pastime at Pleasant Creek, and the three campgrounds fill most needs throughout the season. The campgrounds include electric and non-electric sites and two modern shower and restroom facilities. From the campground, campers have a pleasing view of much of the recreation area. The campgrounds are designated as non-equestrian campgrounds.

Cabins
Four rustic camper cabins are available seasonally. The rustic pine log cabins offer visitors a sense of pioneer lifestyle. The cabins have electricity, microwaves, dorm-size refrigerators, basic furnishings and covered porches. Cabins are located near the campgrounds so cabin users will have use of the shower and toilet facilities. The cabins may be reserved online.

Nearby Attractions:

Two triathlons are held each summer at and around the recreation area - Pigman Sprint Triathlon (June) and Pigman Half Triathlon (August). Fishing tournaments are held on a regular basis each season on the lake, with an annual ice fishing tournament held on the second Sunday of February.

Nearby Cedar Rapids hosts numerous activities throughout the summer and is also home to the Hawkeye Downs Raceway and Cedar Rapids Kernels minor league baseball team. Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center is located about six miles from Pleasant Creek and serves as a fun and educational guide through Iowa's natural history.

Nearby Towns
Pleasant Creek lies approximately fifteen miles northwest of Cedar Rapids and forty miles southeast of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area. Palo is located five miles south.