Lake Nelson

Lake Nelson: crowds and conditions

Typical pattern: usually quiet; mostly local visitors. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.

Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.

Best time to visit Lake Nelson

Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

Crowd: Usually quiet; mostly local visitors.

Typical week: Mon quiet · Tue quiet · Wed quiet · Thu quiet · Fri light · Sat light · Sun light.

How to reach Lake Nelson — distance from nearby cities

Coordinates: 41.29996, -90.83694. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.

Places to visit near Lake Nelson

• Pine Mills German Methodist Episcopal Church · church · Muscatine · ~26 km · Must-see
• Trinity Episcopal Church Muscatine · church · Muscatine · ~27 km · Must-see
• First Presbyterian Church · church · Muscatine · ~28 km · Must-see
• Greenwood Cemetery Chapel · church · Muscatine · ~29 km · Must-see
• Toolesboro Mounds State Preserve · sanctuary · Louisa · ~32 km · Must-see
• John Hauberg Museum of Native American Life · museum · Scott · ~36 km · Must-see
• Black Hawk Forest Nature Preserve · sanctuary · Rock Island · ~36 km · Must-see
• Sunderbruch Park · park · Scott · ~36 km · Must-see
• Old Schuetzen Park · park · Scott · ~38 km · Must-see
• Longview Park · park · Rock Island · ~38 km · Must-see
• Big River State Forest · sanctuary · Henderson · ~39 km · Must-see
• Longview Park Conservatory and Gardens · park · Scott · ~39 km · Must-see
• First Bible Missionary Church · church · Scott · ~39 km · Must-see
• Emeis Park · park · Scott · ~39 km · Must-see
• Veteran's Memorial Park · park · Scott · ~39 km · Must-see
• Centennial Park · park · Scott · ~40 km · Must-see
• First Church of Christ, Scientist · church · Rock Island · ~40 km · Must-see
• Fejervary Park · park · Scott · ~40 km · Must-see

See everything within a day’s drive of Lake Nelson

Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near Lake Nelson

• Lost Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area · lake · Scott · ~65 km · Must-see
• Lake Bracken · lake · Des Moines · ~80 km · Must-see
• Little Swan Lake · lake · Des Moines · ~93 km · Must-see
• Coralville Lake · lake · Johnson · ~100 km · Must-see
• Lake Macbride Dam · lake · Johnson · ~103 km · Must-see
• Goose Lake Wildlife Management Area · lake · Clinton · ~103 km · Must-see
• Lake Carlton Dam · lake · Whiteside · ~118 km · Must-see
• Canton Lake · lake · Fulton · ~135 km · Must-see
• Dam No. 12 · lake · Jo Daviess · ~140 km · Must-see
• Lock No. 16 · lake · Rock Island · ~25 km

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Iowa

Frequently asked