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South Overlook (Ia)
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Knoxville · Iowa · Lake Red Rock
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Lake Red Rock |
| Location | Knoxville · Iowa · Lake Red Rock · 41.36639, -92.98966 · Map |
| Sites | 2 public sites counted from the federal listing — 2 group shelter electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 2 of 2 sites (up to 20 amp where reported) Water hookups at 0 of 2 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 2 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 2 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 8:00 AM · Out 8:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 2 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 641-828-7522 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-07-24.
From the official listing
Overview South Overlook is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 miles from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 miles 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
Octagon Shelter
7 - Picnic tables
2 - Standard electrical outlets
1 - 36” x 28” outdoor grill
88 - Paved parking stalls (shared with rectangle shelter)
1 - 6 foot diameter fire ring Water fountain
Close to restroom
Rectangle Shelter
5 - Picnic tables
2 - Standard electrical outlets
1 - 36” x 31” outdoor grill
88 - Paved parking stalls (shared with octagon shelter)
Water fountain
Lake view
Close to restroom
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,largemouth and striped bass, walleye, 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 South Overlook offers two reservable picnic shelters with 20 amp electrical outlets. Flush toilets are located nearby. A large parking lot will provide ample space for larger crowds.
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 a special event permit. Click the link below to apply for an event permit: Special Event Permit
If shelters are not reserved, they are 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 South Overlook, offering shade and scenic views.
Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrate 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.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.
Directions, from the listing
1105 North HWY T15 Knoxville, Iowa 50138
From Pella, Iowa, follow county road T-15 southwest for 4 miles, then follow signs to South Overlook.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · Knoxville IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Tailwater Picnic Shelter
0 mi straight-line · Knoxville IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersHowell Station
1 mi straight-line · Pella IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Tailwater Picnic Shelter
1 mi straight-line · Pella IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Overlook Camp
1 mi straight-line · Pella Iowa
Trip Card — South Overlook (Ia)
Knoxville · Iowa · Lake Red Rock
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | Knoxville · Iowa · Lake Red Rock |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 2 |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 2 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251265 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.