"National Water Trail" Designation for Lake Red Rock

Published Dec. 2, 2013
Paddlers enjoy the Red Rock Trail at Lake Red Rock near Knoxville, Iowa. The trail has been officially designated as a National Water Trail by the National Park Service.

Paddlers enjoy the Red Rock Trail at Lake Red Rock near Knoxville, Iowa. The trail has been officially designated as a National Water Trail by the National Park Service.

The Red Rock Trail at Lake Red Rock, Knoxville, Iowa, has officially been designated as a National Water Trail by the National Park Service. Joining the Red Rock Trail is The Island Loop Route Water Trail in Michigan and The Missouri National Recreation River Water Trail that flows through South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa. These three trails join 11 previously dedicated water trails across the country.

"These national water trails provide exemplary close-to-home places for people to explore and enjoy," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "And I am particularly happy to have these trails added to the system. They are cooperatively supported and sustained through the efforts of community, state and federal partners."

The Red Rock Water Trail is a 36-mile loop on scenic Lake Red Rock. Boaters and paddlers can see rocky cliffs and bluffs, a variety of wildlife, a sea cave and much more. Also along the trail are many historical landmarks, and sites of historical events.  There are eight access points that are conveniently located near the campgrounds at Lake Red Rock.

"Paddlers are treated to spectacular views of bluffs, hardwood forests, a multitude of wildlife and Iowa's largest lake," said Park Ranger Tracy Spry.  "Amazingly, paddlers are found using the water trail during all months of the year, as long as the lake isn't frozen."

The trail is managed by Lake Red Rock in partnership with the Red Rock Lake Association, who is a cooperating association.

National Water Trails are designated by the Secretary of the Interior and are part of the National Trails System, administered by the National Park Service in partnership with a wide range of federal agencies. Designation of national water trails helps to strengthen local efforts for recreation, conservation and restoration of America's waterways and surrounding lands.

National water trails are the pathways of rivers, lakes and bays, providing a connection for current and future generations to the nature, history and adventure that can be found on the water.

Explore the entire National Water Trails System online through a dynamic collection of videos, stories and pictures at http://www.nps.gov/watertrails/.


Release no. ODR120213