State Park · Iowa
Preparation Canyon State Park
- Location
- Monona County, Iowa
- Nearest town
- 13.5 miles southeast of Onawa
- Type
- State Park
About Preparation Canyon State Park
Named for a Mormon settlement once located nearby, this 344-acre tract sits within the Loess Hills, largely undeveloped and left in a relatively undisturbed state. Steep, dramatic ridges rise on the north, south, and west sides of the park, which lies at the north end of the Loess Hills State Forest. Visitors can picnic, hike, and camp at ten hike-in sites within its boundaries.
Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.
Getting there
Preparation Canyon State Park is in Monona County, Iowa, 13.5 miles southeast of Onawa. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.
State parks near Preparation Canyon State Park
Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 50 in Iowa →
Lewis and Clark State ParkState Park · Monona County, IA17 miNW- Wilson Island State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area · Washington County, NE29 miS
- Fort Atkinson State Historical ParkState Historic Site · Washington County, NE31 miS
John G. Neihardt State Historic SiteState Historic Site · Cuming County, NE35 miW- Lake Manawa State ParkState Park · Pottawattamie County, IA47 miS
Black Hawk State ParkState Park · Sac County, IA53 miNE
Stone State ParkState Park · Woodbury County, IA54 miNW- Swan Lake State ParkState Park · Carroll County, IA56 miE
Towns near Preparation Canyon State Park
State parks near Omaha, State parks near Fremont, State parks near Sioux City
Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.