Hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and nature watching are a few of the activities offered on this trail. With Riceville as the trailhead, the trail extends to the north and runs along the Wapsipinicon River and the Great Western Line Railroad. Built on an abandoned rail bed, the Wapsi-Great Western Line Trail runs through Lake Hendricks Park where campers and visitors can find a butterfly garden along the trail for their enjoyment. The butterfly garden is home to about 15 species of butterflies and 3,000 plants.
Parks and Recreation
For MAPS, 2004 Aerial Photos and a RECREATIONAL TABLE showing locations and amenities click here.
Bigalk's Trout Stream - a 3-acre tract located two miles east of County Road V-58 on 30th St
Trout fishing skills are put to the test on this special trout stream. The meandering cold water stream empties into the Upper Iowa River and is stocked weekly from early spring to late fall with rainbow and brown trout.
Bonair Shooting Range - a 15-acre tract located 2 miles north of State Highway 9 on Saint Ave
Equipped with a 5-acre rifle range with
shooting rests and target backstops. The remaining 10 acres are maintained as a wildlife management area.
Florenceville Park - a 3-acre park located in Florenceville on the east side of County Road V-58
This park provides a shelter house, picnic
area, playground equipment, ball diamond, electricity, water, and toilets, making it a nice place for family gatherings.
Lake Hendricks Park - a 234-acre park located one mile north of State Highway 9 on Highway T-68
One of the oldest parks in the county
conservation board system, it is also the largest and most popular park belonging to the Howard County Conservation Board. This scenic park includes a 54-acre man-made lake and serves as a multiple use area offering a wide variety of outdoor opportunities. Activities include fishing, picnicking, biking, camping, canoeing and boating (electric engines only), a 150-foot beach for swimming (unsupervised), nature trails, and cross country skiing along with an archery range, softball diamond, and playground equipment. The park opens each day at 6:00 am and closes at 10:30 pm and is open to camping from May to October. A park ranger resides on the premises year-round and may be reached at 641-985-2127.
For MORE INFORMATION on Lake Hendricks Park click here.
Lidtke Park - a 10-acre park located on the west side of County Road V-36 just north of Lime Springs
This scenic park is located along the Upper Iowa River and provides an excellent camping and picnicking location while offering individuals the opportunity to fish and giving canoeists a starting point for their river trips. Camping areas are provided with electricity and water. Other facilities include a shelter, boat ramp, and playground equipment. Adding to the park’s beauty is the historical Lidtke Mill and dam site.
For MORE INFORMATION on Lidtke Park click here.
Lubbert Park - a 3-acre park located in Saratoga on the south side of State Highway 9
This scenic park provides an excellent picnicking location offering an open shelter located next to a meandering stream.
Lylah's Marsh - a 140-acre wildlife area located two miles west of County Road V-18
This area contains a 60-acre man-made marsh located on the Little Wapsipinicon River. It provides excellent nesting and winter cover for wildlife while attracting an abundance of migratory waterfowl and upland game species. Facilities include a open picnic area, playground equipment, boat ramp, and restroom. Maintained as a game management area.
Taylor's Pond - a 7-acre park located 0.25 mile east of County Road V-58 on 180th St
Nestled in the southern part of the county, this park makes a cozy fishing and family picnic area. The three acre pond was constructed in 1980. A shelter, playground equipment and toilet facilities are available.
Turkey River Campground - a 6-acre campground located in Vernon Springs Park 2 miles south of Cresco on Valley Ave
The Howard County Conservation Board is excited to promote their newest campground area and facilities, the Turkey River Campground in Vernon Springs Park. Protected by woods and amid the scenic view of the Turkey River, the campground is located up a winding country road just beyond the Prairie's Edge Nature Center. The campground is NOW OPEN to the public for the camping season (May through October). The Turkey River Campground offers campers individual electrical and water hook-ups, camping pads, a bath/shower house, and playground equipment.
For MORE INFORMATION on the Turkey River Campground click here.
Upper Iowa River Access - a 10-acre natural area located on the east side of County Road V-36 just north of Lime Springs
A tract of river bottomland along the Upper Iowa River, this lightly timbered area serves as fishing and canoe access to the Upper Iowa River.
Vernon Springs Park - a 114-acre park located two miles south of State Highway 9 on Valley Ave
This scenic park lays adjacent to the beautiful Turkey River and a 17-acre pond, offering several year round activities such as fishing, boating and canoeing, picnicking, and features a number of trails for nature hikes, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing. The park houses the Prairie’s Edge Nature Center along with an open picnic shelter, grills, boat dock, playground equipment, and toilet facilities. A 140-year-old historical dam adds to the park’s picturesque view. There is also a 40-acre wildlife area containing river bottomland, upland timber, and grassland, with the Turkey River winding along its southern border.
Natural Resource Areas
- For maps of Howard County and a table showing locations and amenities click here.
- 2004 Aerial Photos Available! Click on each area's name to see a close up view.
**Please note: the boundarys in red on these aerial photos are only to be used as guides and are not legally binding. Please use signs at the areas to find actual boundaries.
Cleghorn Wildlife Area - a 40-acre natural area located two miles south of State Highway 9 on 345th Ave
The Turkey River passes through the area
which is divided into open grassland, river-bottom, and wetland. Maintained as a game management area.
Crane Creek Wildlife Area - a 281-acre natural area located on the east side of US Highway 63 two miles south of Lourdes
This wildlife area contains natural and man-made wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, and food plots. Crane Creek meanders through this wildlife mecca. The purchase of this of this property was made possible throught the assistance of the Iowa Habitat Stamp Fund, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited. Excellent upland, deer and turkey hunting can be expected. Access is provided on the North, East, and South sides of this maintained game management area.
Dieken Wildlife Area - a 14-acre wildlife area located on the west side of US Highway 63 between Lime Springs and Chester
This long, narrow wooded area borders the spring fed Beaver Creek. Left in its natural state, it provides excellent wildlife habitat. A walk-in access is provided.
Evans-Hughes Forest - a 36-acre forested area located 3 miles west of County Road V-58 on 25th St
This heavily timbered forest is divided into two sections (east and west). It contains rolling hills with an abundance of oak, hickory, and walnut. Timber stand improvements are practiced on this area.
Hart Pond Wildlife Area - a 249-acre natural area located on the south side of County Highway B-17 near Elma
This wildlife area is primarily upland and wetland habitat. Water resources include the Little Wapsipinicon River and an 8.5-acre pond which can be found near the center of the property. Access is provided on the East side. This is a game management area.
Joachim Woods Wildlife Area - a 20-acre forested area located on the west side of County Road V-18, 1 mile south of Elma
This heavily wooded area contains excellent quality mixed hardwood timber which provides for excellent woodland environment.
Kleckner Wildlife Area - a 53-acre wildlife area located on the east side of County Road V-10, just north of County Road A-23
This area is a mixture of timber, marsh, and prairie, with Staff Creek meandering through the midsection. Purchase of the area in 1987 was made possible from through the Iowa Habitat Stamp Program and with assistance from the Natural Heritage Foundation. Maintained as a game management area.
Martinek Wildlife Area - a 27-acre forested area located one mile east of County Road V-58 on Well Road
This heavily wooded wildlife area contains an excellent quality of mixed hardwood timber dominated by hard maple. Managed primarily for wildlife habitat, it provides a nice woodland environment. Timber stand improvements are practiced on the area.
Meiricks Pond Access - a 13-acre wildlife area located one the north side of County Road B-17, west of Cedar Ave
This abandoned quarry includes a three acre pond and is maintained as a wildlife habitat area. A walk-in access is provided.
Mullen Wildlife Area - a 141-acre wildlife area located on the south side of State Highway 9 and on the east side of Robin Ave
This area is mostly native grasses offering excellent upland hunting opportunities. Water resources include several man-made ponds offering limited waterfowl hunting. Access is provided on the North and West side of the property. This is a game management area.
Reis Wildlife Area - a 120-acre wildlife area located on the south side of State Highway 9, east of Howard Ave
This area encompasses a mixture of wetland, upland and woodland habitat. A native grass planting can be found on the Southwest side of the area offering upland hunting opportunities. Access is provided on the North side of the area. This is a game management area.
Souhrada Forest - a 117-acre corridor located 4 miles north of County Road A-46, with access on 10th St
Overlooking the Upper Iowa River to the South, this beautiful area contains excellent timber and wildlife habitat. Maintained as a game management area.
Souhrada Wildlife Area - a 155-acre wildlife area on the east side of State Highway 63, 1 mile north of Highway 9
This area is mostly native grasses offering excellent upland hunting opportunities. Access is provided on the east side of the property. This is a game management area.
Thomson Marsh - a 40-acre undeveloped natural area located one mile north of County Road A-46, between Unity Ave and Valley Ave
This open wildlife area encompasses a mixture of timber, grassland, and a one acre marsh. Public access is provided from the east road.
Turkey Bend Wildlife Area - a 20-acre forested area located two miles south of State Highway 9, with access on 115th St near Valley Ave
This acre consists of primarily oak and hickory species overlooking the Turkey River. Trails are provided for cross country skiing and hiking. Access is provided through a walk-in access lane located from the east road.
Wittenbreer Marsh - a 40-acre wildlife area located two miles north of State Highway 9, with access on 90th St between Fir Ave and Grove Ave
This upland and wetland wildlife area includes a 3-acre marsh and 24 acres planted with red, white, and scotch pine, which serves as an excellent habitat area. Maintained as a game management area.
Winter Fun
When the summer sun turns into snowy
fields there’s still plenty of activities to do in
Howard County.
Cross country skiers are offered a
complex system of trails, many of which are
groomed. A smaller system of trails is
located around Crestwood High School. This
system features a lighted loop for night
skiing. Cross country skis are available free of charge from
Prairie's Edge Nature Center.
Snowmobiles also fly around Cresco
in the winter snow. More than 250 miles of
trails span out from Cresco to many other
local towns. The trails wind around forests,
across streams, and through rolling fields.
Very little of the trails consist of road
ditches, creating some of the most beautiful
and scenic rides throughout Iowa.
Check out the Drift Runners Snowmobile Club website for a map of trails www.geocities.com/driftrunnersia/index.html.
Any comments, questions or suggestions? Just email us at howardccb@yahoo.com THANKS!
The Howard County Conservation Board in the provisions of services and facilities to the public does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, national origin, age, or handicap. If anyone
believes he or she has been subject to such discrimination, he or she may file a complaint alleging discrimination with either the Howard County Conservation Board or the Office of Equal Opportunity, US Dept. of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.
The Prairie’s Edge Nature Center is open
for public viewing Monday through Friday from 1:00
p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Nature Center is
also open one Sunday of every
month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00
p.m. On these Sundays, a special environmental
program will be given covering a new,
interesting nature topic every month (see Calendar of Events for schedule). Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The shelter located outside the
Nature Center is a popular spot for large
picnics, group activities, and family
reunions. It is often busy throughout the
summer. Therefore we recommend
calling the Howard County Conservation Office
ahead of time to place a reservation at
(563) 547-3634. Reservations for the
shelter are available at no cost, but please note that reservations are not accepted on major holiday weekends.
