| A sandy beach area provides swimming fun for everyone. There is a playground near the beach area plus a sand volley ball court.
There is a concrete boat ramp near the beach & one in the south camp area. All motor boats must operate at a no wake speed.
Hunting
On the north border of the park is a 220 acre public hunting area & on the south border is a 160 acre public hunting area.
The 85-acre Lake of Three Fires is nearly a mile long & a half-mile wide, with scenic inlets ideal for fishing & boating. Surrounding the lake are 691 acres of picturesque woodlands. Although summer is the most popular season, any nice spring or fall day will draw hundreds of picnickers, hikers, photographers & fishermen. There are eight miles of marked trails for hikers, horseback riders, & snowmobilers. Playgrounds are located in the picnic area & at the beach area. There are horseshoe pitching areas at the beach area near the lodge, the camp area & the picnic area.
History
The Pottawattomi tribe, a large group of Native Americans known as the "Fire Nation," once roamed the prairies of southern Iowa. According to legend, two other tribes joined the Pottawattomi to form a loose confederacy known as "Three Fires." It is believed the three tribes held a great council meeting to join forces for protection against invading tribes. Runners were sent to wandering Indian nations to tell of the great rendezvous. Smoke from three fires signaled the exact location. The fires were built atop the highest hills so smoke could be seen from any direction. One such point overlooked the valley now covered by the waters of Lake of Three Fires. Three fires were kept burning as long as the three tribes joined together. If any of the fires went out it meant the tribes had left the area to continue on their own. Lake of Three Fires State Park was dedicated in 1935. |
Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
40.711671, -94.683549
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Campground: Lake of Three Fires State Park in Bedford Iowa *