Activities

List of
Activities

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Great Western Trail

    This 16.5 mile journey can be a step back into time as travelers witness a few remaining prairie and wetland remnants. The recently paved trail, managed jointly by the Warren and Polk County Conservation Boards, preserves some of Iowa’s endangered plants, those plants that had been wiped out in other parts of the state as land-use changes were made. Hop on your bike and enjoy the trail.

  • Summerset Trail

    Stretching eleven miles from Carlisle to Indianola, the Summerset Trail passes through rolling hills and wetland river bottom as it winds from town to town. In the middle sits the village of Summerset on the south bank of the Middle River. Restroom facilities with running water are available at the Indianola trail head and pit toilets are available at the Carlisle trail head and at Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park at the trail’s half-way point. Parking is available at all three points.

Biking

Camping

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Hickory Hills

    The campground offers 7 primitive camping sites, available for $10.00 per night. Sites are allocated on a first come first serve basis. Campers must self-register at the entrance of the campground.

  • Grant Park

    The campground is open from April 15th through November 1st and charges a rate of $20.00 per night. Each of the 15 sites have electric hookups providing 20/30/50 amp power. Showers and restrooms are accessible to campers. All sites are reserved on a first come first serve basis. Campers must self-register at the entrance of the campground.

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Annett Nature Center and Park

    Lester Pond provides great year round fishing opportunities for anglers. The pond is known for good large mouth bass fishing, as well as decent populations of pan fish and catfish.

  • Bank Swallow Bend

    Enjoy a quiet afternoon of fishing at the wetland. Bass, blue gill, and catfish may be found here.

  • Grant Park

    Enjoy a quiet afternoon of fishing at this small 1 acre pond. Bass, blue gill, and catfish may be found here.

  • Hickory Hills

    Enjoy a quiet afternoon of fishing at this small 1 acre pond. Bass, blue gill, and catfish may be found here.

  • Otter Creek

    Enjoy a quiet afternoon of fishing at this small 1 acre pond. Bass, blue gill, and catfish may be found here.

  • Rolling Thunder State Preserve

    Enjoy a quiet afternoon of fishing at this small 1 acre pond. Bass, blue gill, and catfish may be found here.

Fishing

Canoeing/
Kayaking

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Annett Nature Center and Park

    Both Lester Pond and the wetland on site are great for canoeing and kayaking. Together there is over 18 acres of water to explore!

Forest Therapy Walk
Shinrin-Yoku

Warren County Conservation offers nature & forest therapy guided walks throughout the year at various locations. We invite you to unplug, slow down, and experience mindfulness in nature. These gentle three-hour walks will focus on using all your senses to explore nature. Shinrin-yoku or forest therapy can provide many positive health benefits such as lowered blood pressure, decreased anxiety, increased focus, relaxation, and a connection with nature. Staff is certified with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Association.

Public Walks-$20 per person and registration is required

Private or Corporate Walks-Please email kelseyl@warrencountyia.org for more information. Prices may vary.

Walking/Hiking

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Annett Nature Center

    Wind on a meandering trail through the prairie grasses, down into the forest, over a bridge across the wetland and up to the wildlife viewing platform. There are lots of habitats and wildlife to see on this trail.

  • Bank Swallow Bend Wildlife Area

    Miles of mowed fire breaks that act as trails through 542 acres of wetland/upland wildlife area. Many types of wetland wildlife and an active Bald Eagle nest on the property.

  • Swamp White Oak

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 123-acres of Swamp White Oak a popular destination for wildlife observation.

  • Grant Park

    Come enjoy the picnic shelter, secluded pond and wonderful woodland trails.

  • Great Western Trail

    This 16.5 mile journey can be a step back into time as travelers witness a few remaining prairie and wetland remnants. The recently paved trail, managed jointly by the Warren and Polk County Conservation Boards, preserves some of Iowa’s endangered plants, those plants that had been wiped out in other parts of the state as land-use changes were made. Put on your hiking boots and enjoy the trail.

  • Hickory Hills Park

    Explore over 3 miles of trails through this unique park. This 160 acres of rolling timber and open fields reveal the secrets of its past through clues that are still visible today. Take a journey through the woodlands and transport yourself back in time by visiting the Indian burial mounds. Another trail takes you past the old barn and down to the pond.

  • Otter Creek Park

    There are approximately three miles of trails through Otter Creek Park. They cut through the oak and shagbark hickory forest, which typify the native vegetation of Warren County’s ridges. Following the trail on the west side of the park, you will quickly discover the secluded campsites that overlook Otter Creek. These are primitive campsites that can only be reached on foot. No hike at Otter Creek is complete without a visit to the pond. Although it is small and contains no fish, it attracts a large number of animals. The waters are crowded with aquatic insects and frogs. The large tadpole population makes it a great attraction for children, whose access to the water has been made safe by the installation of a boardwalk along the pond’s edge.

  • Lundy Acres

    Lundy is home to a short, pleasant meandering trail. Come explore the lowland woods and Middle River.

  • Rolling Thunder Prairie

    Explore Rolling Thunder the way Early Iowans did…off trail. There is not a trail system in the park which leaves the exploring completely up to you. Blaze a new path and see what wonder await!

  • Summerset Trail

    Treak down 11 miles of paved trail, through rolling hills, wetland river bottom, and a scenic area equipped with an observation platform.

  • Woodland Mounds Preserve

    There is a special sense of timelessness in the timber at Woodland Mounds Preserve. The unique qualities of this beautiful wooded ridge above South River have been recognized by inhabitants of this county for thousands of years. The park features a winding trail meanders the back of the park, passing by the Woodland Indian mounds and then loops back. The loop is approximately 3.0 miles round trip.

  • Zo-El Annett Woods

    Zo-El features a winding trail that climbs to the back of the park, crosses a long suspension bridge and then descends back to the trail head, affording the hiker a beautiful stroll through a lovely woodland park. No hike would be complete without taking advantage of the picnic area.

2024 Warren County Parks & Trails Geocaching Fungi Adventure

Grab your GPS, your binoculars and hiking boots, and get ready to explore! Find all 25 geocaches and collect the trading cards, April 1st- November 1st 2024.

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunt using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. It is a world-wide hobby!

Find out More Information/Coordinates

Geocaching

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Hickory Hills

    A group of Native Americans known as the Woodland Culture once called this area home. Over 2000 years ago they lived along the banks of the Squaw Creek. They shaped tools from chert, molded pottery from clay mixed with grit, hunted the abundant game and gathered food from the land. There is a large conical-shaped mound located toward the north end of the park. It is believed that when people of high status in the tribal unit died, their bodies were placed on ridge tops above the riverside campsites and large earthen mounds were constructed over them. While the bones have long since decayed, the mound still tells us that the spot was recognized as a sacred place many years ago. In the early 1900’s, the area that is now the picnic grounds was then an active farmstead. The old wooden barn that housed the family’s livestock still stands and helps us explain the farming practices of yesteryear. There are three sections to the foundation of the home that once stood. One part was stone, another brick and yet another poured concrete telling us there were three additions to the house. There is also a root cellar that served as the family’s storm shelter and food storage area. Just west of the farmstead is the remnants of the old stagecoach road that once connected Osceola to Indianola. It angled right past the house and barn. The Warren County Conservation Board purchased Hickory Hills in December of 1976 and has maintained it ever since.
    Farmstead Tour

  • Great Western Trail

    Your trip along the Great Western Trail is a journey into history. It will take you through the site of Lida, past the munitions train derailment and fire near North River and across the Churchville Prairie. In 1914 no point in Iowa was more than 12 miles from a railroad. They served many small-town elevators and coal yards. The track was opened in 1899 by the Chicago, St. Paul and Kansas City Railroad. The Chicago & Northwestern was the last train company to use the rail line which originally ran from Des Moines to St. Joseph, Missouri. A few concrete mile markers giving the distance between the marker location and Kansas City can still be found standing as sentinels from the past. The trail is full of adventure for the nature enthusiast, the history buff, and for those who simply wish to leave the noise and congestion of the city. Put on your hiking boots or hop on your bike and enjoy the trail.

  • Rolling Thunder Prairie State Preserve

    Immerse yourself in what Iowa used to look like. A rolling area with a wooded creek, that area consists mainly of grasses and forbs. It is used extensively by a variety of upland and woodland species. This prairie is the largest track of native prairie in the county. The two hundred acres on the west side of 80th Avenue have never been plowed and contain high quality native prairie vegetation.

  • Woodland Mounds State Preserve

    A group of Native Americans known as the Woodland Culture once called this area home. Over 2000 years ago they lived along the banks of the South River. They shaped tools from chert, molded pottery from clay mixed with grit, hunted the abundant game and gathered food from the land. There are many conical-shaped mounds located on the trail.

Historic Visits

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Blue Flag Marsh

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 138-acres of Blue Flag Marsh a popular destination for hunting and wildlife observation. Many game species including deer, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, and many fur-bearing animals are found here.

  • Bank Swallow Bend

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 542-acres of Bank Swallow Bend a popular destination for hunting and wildlife observation. Many game species including deer, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, and many fur-bearing animals are found here.

  • Rolling Thunder Prairie

    Rolling Thunder Prairie is a 282 acre wildlife management area full of hunting possibilities. Deer, turkey and pheasant are among the most popular game.

  • Woodland Mounds Preserve

    Woodland Mounds Preserve contains 185 acres of timber that provides habitat for many types of woodland wildlife. If is part of one of the largest continuous stands of timber remaining in the county. The area was purchased in by the Warren County Conservation Board in 1981 with assistance from a grant from the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Fund, a pool of money available on a competitive basis to county conservation boards funded through the of Wildlife Habitat Fee, a fee required with the purchase of an Iowa hunting license. Warren County has been fortunate to use this very competitive grant program to purchase four tracts of land. An additional 140 acres have been leased, bringing the total acreage open to the public on this area to 325. The park has an extensive trail system and is open to hunting.

  • Gobbler's Knob

    Gobbler's Knob is a 282 acre wildlife management area full of hunting possibilities. Deer, turkey and pheasant are among the most popular game.

  • Bulrush Marsh

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 151-acres of Bulrush Marsh a popular destination for hunting and wildlife observation.

Hunting

Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is a popular water sport, originating on the coast but taking over the midwest! Come try this fun sport at the Annett Nature Center. Bring the family out to enjoy a beautiful afternoon learning how to Stand Up Paddleboard on Lester Pond. Instruction and equipment provided. These are hosted throughout the summer months. Visit our events calendar to register.

Events Calendar

Park Packs

We have four park packs available to checkout at no cost. Each backpack is themed around a different nature topic: birding, tracking, insects, or pond life. Bags are stocked with field guides, nets, books, magnifying glasses and other hands-on activities for kids. This is a great way to get children interacting with the environment as they visit one of our parks. Check one out as your guide to explore the great outdoors, just call (515) 961-6169!

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Annett Nature Center and Park

    There are picnic tables located in the Lester Davison Memorial Pavilion and on the nature center deck with scenic views of the park. There are picnic tables scattered along the lawn with beautiful views of the prairie and park. There is small shelter with picnic tables and a large fishing dock. Click here for the shelter reservation info.

  • Grant Park

    The shelter is available by reservation or on a first-come basis. Click here for reservation info. There are also picnic areas with grills throughout the park available on a first-come basis.

  • Great Western Trail

    The shelter houses are available by reservation or on a first-come basis. Click here for reservation info. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the trail.

  • Hickory Hills Park

    The barn and picnic shelter are available by reservation or on a first-come basis. Click here for reservation info. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park.

  • Lundy Acres

    Lundy Acres offers a beautiful shaded picnic area. There is a pedestal cooking grill and great fire ring.

  • Otter Creek

    A picnic shelter is available by reservation or on a first-come basis. Click here for reservation info. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park complete with tables and grill boxes.

  • Woodland Mounds Preserve

    Woodland Mounds offers a beautiful shaded picnic area near the parking lot of the park. There is a pedestal cooking grill and great fire ring.

  • Zo-El Annett Woods

    There is a picnic area with a large fire pit here perfect for a family afternoon at the park.

Picnicking

StoryWalk®

Read and Hike!

StoryWalk® is a fun idea to get communities outside and reading. Each month, we will put new nature-themed children’s stories along trails in different parks. Stories will all be nature-themed and fun to read! Bring your whole family out to hike and read a page of the story every few feet as you go along. Below is a schedule of where and when the books will be placed.  Please sign our guest book at the end of each StoryWalk® so we know how many people made it out.

Call  (515) 961-6169 if you have questions about finding the start of the StoryWalk® within in a park.

2025 Summer StoryWalk Schedule:

June (Annett Nature Center) Book to be determined

July (Woodland Mounds) Book to be determined

August (Otter Creek) Book to be determined

 

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Annett Nature Center and Park

    Hike through our prairie and woodland trails to see wetland wildlife, prairie wildlife, and head back to the wildlife viewing tower. You can also visit the former site of the osprey project or the butterfly garden.

  • Blue Flag Marsh

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 138-acres at Blue Flag Marsh a popular destination for wildlife observation. Many game species including deer, squirrels, raccoons, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, and many furbearing animals are found here.

  • Bank Swallow Bend

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 542-acres at Bank Swallow Bend a popular destination for wildlife observation. Bitterns, Bank Swallows, resident Bald Eagles, Snowy Egrets and more bird species await. Many game species including deer, squirrels, raccoons, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, and many furbearing animals are also found here. Don’t forget your camera!
    Warren County Conservation Board parks, trails, and wildlife areas are a great place to go birding. Volunteer Jim Sinclair has compiled a list of species found at Bank Swallow Bend and Summerset trail & park. Click below to view the list and see how many species you can spot. Click here to view bird sightings.

  • Otter Creek

    No hike at Otter Creek is complete without a visit to the pond. Although it is small and contains no fish, it attracts a large number of animals. The waters are crowded with aquatic insects and frogs. The large tadpole population makes it a great attraction for children.

  • Summerset Trail

    Stretching eleven miles from Carlisle to Indianola, the Summerset Trail passes through rolling hills and wetland river bottom as it winds from town to town. In the middle sits the village of Summerset on the south bank of the Middle River. With this varied landscape, it is a birders and wildlife watchers paradise.
    Warren County Conservation Board parks, trails,and wildlife areas are a great place to go birding. Volunteer Jim Sinclair has compiled a list of species found at Bank Swallow Bend and Summerset trail & park. Click below to view the list and see how many species you can spot. Click here to view bird sightings.

  • Swamp White Oak

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 123-acres of Swamp White Oak a popular destination for wildlife observation.

  • Grant Nature Land

    Come enjoy the picnic shelter, secluded pond and wonderful woodland trails.

  • Great Western Trail

    This 16.5 mile journey can be a step back into time as travelers witness a few remaining prairie and wetland remnants. The recently paved trail, managed jointly by the Warren and Polk County Conservation Boards, preserves some of Iowa’s endangered plants, those plants that had been wiped out in other parts of the state as land-use changes were made. Put on your hiking boots and enjoy the trail.

  • Hickory Hills

    Explore over 3 miles of trails through this unique park. This 160 acres of rolling timber and open fields reveal the secrets of its past through clues that are still visible today. Take a journey through the woodlands and transport yourself back in time by visiting the Indian burial mounds. Another trail takes you past the old barn and down to the pond.

  • Lundy Acres

    Lundy is home to a short, pleasant meandering trail. Come explore the lowland woods and Middle River.

  • Rolling Thunder Prairie

    Explore Rolling Thunder the way Early Iowans did…off trail. There is not a trail system in the park which leaves the exploring completely up to you. Blaze a new path and see what wonder await!

  • Woodland Mounds State Preserve

    There is a special sense of timelessness in the timber at Woodland Mounds State Preserve. The unique qualities of this beautiful wooded ridge above South River have been recognized by inhabitants of this county for thousands of years. The park features a winding trail meanders the back of the park, passing by the Woodland Indian mounds and then loops back. The loop is approximately 3.0 miles round trip.

  • Zo-El Annett Woods

    Zo-El features a winding trail that climbs to the back of the park, crosses a long suspension bridge and then descends back to the trail head, affording the hiker a beautiful stroll through a lovely woodland park. No hike would be complete without taking advantage of the picnic area.

  • Middleswart Lodge

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make Middleswart Lodge a popular destination for wildlife observation.

  • Gobbler's Knob

    Gobbler's Knob is a 282 acre wildlife management area full of hunting possibilities. Deer, turkey and pheasant are among the most popular game.

  • Bulrush Marsh

    The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 151-acres of Bulrush Marsh a popular destination for hunting and wildlife observation.

Wildlife Viewing

Winter Activities

List of Parks to Explore

The parks below offer this activity

  • Annett Nature Center and Park

    With necessary winter conditions (sufficient snow, cold temperatures, etc.) the Annett Nature Center is a winter playground of sorts! Our miles of trails are great for exploring by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Lester Pond for ice-fishing and nature center rentals also make for great outdoor winter fun and recreational opportunities.

  • Bank Swallow Bend

    With necessary winter conditions (sufficient snow, cold temperatures, etc.) Bank Swallow Bend is a winter playground of sorts! Stop at the wetland for ice-fishing fun too. All of these activities make for great outdoor winter fun and recreational opportunities.

  • Great Western Trail

    The Great Western Trail can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Hickory Hills Park

    Hickory Hills can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trails by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet. The small pond is also great for ice-fishing.

  • Summerset Trail

    The Summerset Trail can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Blue Flag Marsh

    Blue Flag Marsh can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Otter Creek

    Otter Creek can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Swamp White Oak

    Swamp White Oak can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Grant Nature Land

    The Grant Nature Land can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Lundy Acres

    Lundy Acres can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Rolling Thunder Prairie

    Rolling Thunder Prairie can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Woodland Mounds State Preserve

    Woodland Mounds State Preserve can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Zo-El Annett Woods

    Zo-El Annett Woods can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Middleswart Lodge

    Middleswart Lodge can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Gobbler's Knob

    Gobbler's Knob can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.

  • Bulrush Marsh

    Bulrush Marsh can be enjoyed in the winter as well. Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.