Buffalo Shores

Entrance sign to Buffalo Shores Access Area.
The shore of the Mississippi River at Buffalo Shores Beach.
One of the 65 campsites at Buffalo Shores. Great for RV's.
The playground set for children at Buffalo Shores.

Buffalo Shores is a twenty-five-acre recreation area located off of State Highway 22, just downstream from Buffalo, Iowa, on the Mississippi River. A double boat ramp, free beach, ample parking, toilets, water, and picnicking are available in the park's day-use area. In addition, overnight camping is offered at the 65-site campground, which provides 50-amp electrical service, water, concrete patios, beachfront sites, a modern shower house, a playground, and a dump station.

Free beach, boat ramp, picnicking in day-use area.

Open April through October: 6:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Note: The Park is closed 10:30 PM - 6:00 AM

Buffalo Shores
1433 W Front St
Buffalo, Iowa 52728
(563) 328-3281

Features

Flyer advertising the event.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 10:30am

Once a month the Wapsi River EE Center will be hosting a day just for homeschoolers!

Joins us for themed programming led by our Naturalists! The goal of this series is to immerse children in the natural world and help them experience seasonal phenomena in a hands-on way.

Most appropriate for K-8th grades, though all ages welcome. There is a program fee of $3/person payable at registration. Please come prepared for the weather because muck of the planned programming will take place outdoors. Please bring a lunch.

October: Mix of wild foraging and natural art

Online registration is required for every participant (parents included). To register click on [ Click Title for Full Article ]

Flyer advertising event
Saturday, October 18, 2025 - 10:00am

Come out and celebrate spooky season! Learn all about bones and how to identify different skulls, then take a hike to search for bones in the Wapsi woods. This program is open to all ages and is FREE.

Online registration is require: Bones

 

Flyer advertising the event.
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 5:00pm

Join naturalist Michael J. Granger for an educational adventure to learn about mysterious and misunderstood animals.  At 5:00 P.M. there will be a campfire available for your grilling needs. Please bring your own food items and we will provide the fire and roasting sticks!  The hike will begin at 6:30 P.M. with a spooky scavenger hunt afterwards.  Please bring a flashlight!  Family fun for everyone. 

Online registration is required: Halloween Hike

Flyer advertising the event.
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Join naturalist Mike for a chance to hunt pumpkins with an atlatl, a primitive hunting weapon originally used to hunt mastodon and bison. Fun for the whole family and outdoor enthusiasts alike!!! This program is weather permitting.  

Online registration is required: Great Atlatl Pumpkin Hunt

Flyer advertising the event.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 - 10:00am to 12:00pm

During this program, you will learn how to identify native mushrooms and which seasons they can be found. Then, we will take a hike outdoors to identify some of the fall mushrooms available during this time. This is a FREE program.

Online registration is required: Mushroom

 

Map of the 2026 Incahias Campground Renovation showing 3 circular loops, one-way roads, campsites, bathrooms, parking and a host

Coming in 2026: Renovated Loop-Style Group Campground at Incahias

Big changes are coming to Incahias Campground in 2026 as a major renovation is underway to modernize and improve the group camping experience in Scott County. The new campground layout includes three circular camp loops, each designed to support small groups and families with improved access, modern amenities, and efficient traffic flow. 

More details, maps, and reservation information will be posted as the project progresses.