In most states some portion of beaches are public land and all members of the public have a right to use that portion of the beach. The ability to walk along the beach is known as lateral beach access.

But the land between where people can park or walk to the beach and where they can enjoy the beach is often private property, making it difficult to provide access to the public while protecting personal property rights. The ability to reach the beach is known as vertical beach access.

Laws regarding public access to beaches vary from state to state but many states recognize the public trust doctrine, a legal doctrine that certain natural resources such as beaches are owned or held by the government in trust for the public’s use and enjoyment and that the government has an obligation to protect and maintain these resources for the public.

In Iowa, the public trust doctrine applies to certain natural resources, including beaches. This doctrine holds that the state government owns or holds these resources in trust for public use and enjoyment, and it has a duty to protect and maintain them for the public. However, Iowa is a landlocked state with no oceanfront beaches, so the concept of lateral and vertical beach access primarily pertains to its riverbanks and lake shores. The state ensures public access to these areas, but the specifics can vary depending on the location and whether the adjacent land is privately owned. In cases where private property extends to the water's edge, the public may have limited access, and property owners' rights are balanced with public access rights. It's important to note that local ordinances and state statutes can affect access rights, and in some cases, easements or agreements may be established to allow for vertical access to public waterways through private land. An attorney familiar with Iowa's natural resources and property laws would be able to provide more detailed information on access rights to specific beaches or waterways within the state.