Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt stretches for almost ten miles along the Skunk River in Northeast Polk County. When the Conservation Board first acquired property for the area in 1960, its intention was to preserve and restore the old oxbows of the original Skunk River channel. The area's natural features include old oxbow river channels and backwaters, marshes, and wetlands. Chichaqua also includes sandy upland hills with reconstructed prairies and native prairie remnants.
Location
Chichaqua is a half hour Northeast of Des Moines near Elkhart and Bondurant. From Interstate 35: exit at mile 96, go East on NE 126th Avenue, turn North or left on NE 72nd Street., and turn South or right on NE 80th Street.
8700 NE 126th Avenue
Maxwell, IA 50161
(515) 967-2596
Features
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Dog training area
- Enclosed shelter
- Fishing
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Historic Bridge
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Trap Range
- Waterfowl Blinds
- Wildlife Exhibit
Operating Hours & Seasons
During day light savings time (March to November) 6:30 a.m. -10:30 p.m.
Sunrise to sunset the rest of the year.