Otter Creek

Location

Address: 14400 Quebec Street
Indianola, IA 50125

Contact:

Phone: (515) 961-6169

Directions

Otter Creek is located seven miles south of Indianola. Travel 4 miles south on Hwy 65/69. Follow Highway 65 at the split. From there look for the Otter Creek sign. Turn south on 150th then west on Quebec to the park. The park is on the south side of the road.

Activities

Things to Do

We manage over 2,700 acres that are open for visitors to enjoy a variety
of year-round outdoor recreational activities.

Hiking/Walking

Wildlife Viewing

Fishing

Picnicking

Geocaching

StoryWalk®

Camping

cotter creek park
otter creek park
otter creek park

Otter Creek’s shady picnic area, winding trails, secluded campsites, prairie restoration area, and small pond offer a pleasant variety of recreational and educational opportunities to park visitors. The 80 acre park was acquired by the WCCB in 1976, the board’s first land purchase. The park has taken shape since then. A picnic area was constructed, complete with tables, grill boxes and play equipment. Trails were made. They cut through the oak and shagbark hickory forest, which typify the native vegetation of Warren County’s ridges.

No hike at Otter Creek is complete without a visit to the pond. The waters are crowded with aquatic insects and frogs. The picnic shelter is available for reservation by calling the WCCB office at (515) 961-6169.

Otter Creek Park has 5 primitive campsites. There is a pit latrine. Water is not available. Reservations are not accepted, but on a first come first serve basis. The camping rate is $5 per night. Registration is required and is available at the campground entrance. Campers may stay in WCCB campgrounds for 14 days out of any 30 day period.

Park Rules

What to Do and What Not to Do

Hours

Parks shall be closed during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. except for overnight camping.

County Area

It shall be unlawful for any person to destroy, remove, damage or deface any buildings, park equipment, plant life, trees, signs, structures or natural material found within the boundaries of Otter Creek Park.

Motor Vehicles

All vehicles shall be confined to designated roadways and parking areas. No vehicle shall be left unattended on any county conservation area in such a manner as to obstruct traffic except in case of emergency.

Domesticated Animals

All privately owned domesticated animals shall be either carried, led by a leash or chain; kept confined in or attached to a vehicle by their owner(s) or kept under strict control of the owner. Horse riding shall be confined to vehicular roadways only.

Recreation Vehicles

Recreational Vehicles are not allowed in conservation areas. Speed limit for all motorized vehicles is 15 mph.

Fireworks

Fireworks and explosives are prohibited in this conservation area.

Disturbing The Peace

No person shall be guilty of an act that constitutes a breach of peace, or interferes with their visitors use or enjoyment of the county conservation areas.

Refuse

All refuse must be placed in disposal cans provided or removed from the area when vacated by the user.

Camping

No camping in shelter/restroom/group fire ring area. Camping in designated areas only. Campers may not remain in the park more than fourteen (14) consecutive days.

Fires

Fires shall be confined to those places specifically provided and extinguished before leaving the area. Cutting of live or dead standing or downed trees is prohibited.

Hunting

It shall be unlawful to hunt, trap, or in any manner intentionally take, capture, kill or wound any type of wildlife, game or non-game, native or migratory within the boundaries of this conservation area.

Swimming

No swimming allowed.

State of Iowa

All laws of the State of Iowa not specifically mentioned here shall apply.