Buffalo Shores Beach
Buffalo
Camp and Swim
Buffalo Shores Beach is the sand beach at Buffalo Shores, a 25-acre riverfront recreation area run by the Scott County Conservation Board on the Iowa bank of the Mississippi River. The park sits at the west edge of the small town of Buffalo, between State Highway 22 and the water, so the beach faces south across the main river toward the Illinois shore near Andalusia. The county calls it a free public beach, and it shares the property with a boat ramp and a riverside campground.
To get there, follow Highway 22 (West Front Street) west out of Buffalo for about a mile from the center of town. The park entrance is at 1433 W Front St, Buffalo, IA 52728, and the county's park phone is (563) 328-3281. Parking lots inside the day-use area have room for cars and boat trailers, and a paved foot and bike path follows Front Street west from the park if you're coming on foot or by bike. The sand starts a short walk from the parking.
The beach is a long strip of sand that runs the length of the property along the waterline, and the county rules treat that whole sand strip as the beach area. You swim straight into the Mississippi, so this is moving river water, not a roped lake swim area. There are no lifeguards at any time and the county's rule is plain: swim at your own risk. Depth isn't posted and the river bottom can change after high water, so wade in and check before letting kids go deep. The water is cold in spring and warms through the summer, and the current picks up whenever the river is running high.
There is no charge to use the beach. The park is open April through October from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM and is closed overnight from 10:30 PM to 6:00 AM. Alcohol is not allowed on the beach area. Camping in the adjoining campground is a separate paid service; the beach itself costs nothing.
The main hazards come from the river itself. Towboats and barges pass on the main channel, and recreational boaters run up onto the sand and anchor just offshore, so watch for props and wakes when you're in the water. The park floods. Long floods have kept the campground shut for much of a summer, and the county closes the whole area when the Mississippi rises into the campground. If the river is up, call the park or check the county's conservation pages before you drive out, and stay out of the water during floods because of debris and fast current.
Beyond swimming, the day-use area has sand volleyball courts, picnic spots on the beach, a playground, restrooms, showers and drinking water, plus a public double boat ramp onto the river. The 65-site campground next to the beach has 50-amp electric hookups, water, concrete patios, beachfront sites and a dump station. Sites are first come, first served with no reservations, and quiet hours start at 10:30 PM.
More Information
Buffalo Shores Beach | Scott County Iowa
Buffalo Shores is a twenty-five acre recreation area located off of State Highway 22, just downstream from Buffalo, Iowa, on the Mississippi River. Buffalo Shores beach is free and open to the public. The adjoining campground offers overnight camping.
https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/conservation/buffalo-shores/buffalo-shores-beachBuffalo Shores Campground to close due to flooding, Scott County Conservation Board says
It is unknown when the campground will be opening at this time.
https://www.kwqc.com/2024/06/26/buffalo-shores-campground-close-due-flooding-scott-county-conservation-board-says/Buffalo Shores Campground | Scott County Iowa
65 Spacious Campsites Featuring:50-amp electrical serviceFresh water hookupsSpacious concrete patiosScenic beachfront sitesWhether you’re staying for a weekend or an extended getaway, our modern campground combines comfort with natural beauty.
https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/conservation/buffalo-shores/buffalo-shores-campgroundBuffalo Shores close due to flooding, campers seek alternatives
Some people are considering taking advantage of outdoor activities like camping during the long Fourth of July weekend but the flood is impacting some of those plans. One park affected is Buffalo Shores, which is managed by the Scott County Conservation.
https://www.kcrg.com/2024/07/04/buffalo-shores-close-due-flooding-campers-seek-alternatives/Buffalo Shores opens after flooding just in time for campers to enjoy Labor Day weekend
The Buffalo Shores campground opened in time for campers to enjoy Labor Day weekend.
https://www.kwqc.com/content/news/Buffalo-Shores-opens-after-flooding-just-in-time-for-campers-to-enjoy-Labor-Day-weekend--559061571.htmlBuffalo Shores | Scott County Iowa
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.
https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/conservation/buffalo-shoresMississippi River Boat Ramp | Scott County Iowa
West Lake Park: 563-328-3281Scott County Park: 563-328-3282Pioneer Village: 563-328-3283Glynns Creek Golf Course: 563-328-3284Wapsi Education Center: 563-328-3286Cody Homestead: 563-328-3290
https://www.scottcountyiowa.gov/conservation/buffalo-shores/mississippi-river-boat-ramp
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Buffalo
- Head south on Great Lakes Seaway Trl (85 ft)
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Delaware Ave/
Great Lakes Seaway Trl (0.2 mi) - Turn right onto Church St (233 ft)
- Sharp left onto NY-5 W/
Buffalo Skwy/ Great Lakes Seaway Trl Continue to follow NY-5 W/(7.8 mi)Great Lakes Seaway Trl - Slight left onto NY-75 S (2.9 mi)
- Turn left onto the ramp to I-90 WToll road(0.4 mi)
- Slight right to merge onto I-90 W toward ErieToll roadPassing through PennsylvaniaEntering Ohio(160 mi)
- Keep right to stay on I-90 W, follow signs for I-271 S/
Cleveland (1.3 mi) - Keep right to stay on I-90 W, follow signs for Cleveland (3.1 mi)
- Keep left to stay on I-90 W (11.5 mi)
- Slight left to stay on I-90 W (signs for I-71) (3.2 mi)
- Take exit 170B for I-71 S toward Columbus (1.2 mi)
- Continue onto I-71 S (7.5 mi)
- Take exit 238-239 on the left to merge onto I-480 W toward Toledo (9.4 mi)
- Take the I-80 W/
Ohio Turnpike exit toward I-480 W/ Toledo Toll road(1.1 mi) - Merge onto I-80 WToll road(147 mi)
- Keep left to continue on I-80 W/
I-90 W Toll roadEntering Indiana(139 mi) - Take exit 21 for I-80 W/
I-94 W toward IN-51 S (0.9 mi) - Merge onto I-94 W/
I 80 E Continue to follow I-80 WToll roadEntering Illinois(22.8 mi) - Keep right to stay on I-80 W, follow signs for IowaToll road(8.1 mi)
- Keep left to stay on I-80 W (16.2 mi)
- Slight left (4.9 mi)
- Keep left (0.2 mi)
- Continue straight (1.3 mi)
- Merge onto I-80 W (114 mi)
- Keep left to continue on I-280 WEntering Iowa(18.8 mi)
- Take exit 8 for IA-22/
Rockingham Rd toward Buffalo (0.4 mi) - Turn left onto IA-22 W/
Rockingham Rd Continue to follow IA-22 W(6.1 mi) - Turn left toward W Front St (138 ft)
- Continue onto W Front St (0.2 mi)
- Turn leftDestination will be on the left(249 ft)
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