“National Water Trail” Designation for Lake Red Rock

kayakers on Red Rock

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/

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  (photo by Diane Michaud Lowry)

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