Rigdon Access provides 77 acres of flood plain forest habitat. Meandering through the area is the Wapsipinicon River. The Wapsipinicon begins in Taopi Minnesota and travels for 255 miles. It winds through northeast Iowa until it empties into the Mississippi River. The "Wapsi" provides many opportunities for wildlife viewing as it winds it's way toward the Mississippi. In Black Hawk County, the river flows as a rather swampy greenbelt area where common flood plain species such as silver maples and lowland river birch can be found.
The portion of the Wapsi between Sweet Marsh and where the Wapsi joins with the Mississippi has been designated as a Protected Water Area by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources because of its scenic and natural qualities. Northern pike, catfish and small mouth bass can be found in pockets along the Wapsi as it flows southward through Black Hawk County. Near by Sweet Marsh, originally created with hunters in mind in the 1940's, also serves as one of the top bird watching areas in the state and offers many other types of recreational opportunities, such as, fishing, paddling, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Located within the park boundary is a heron rookery. Several nesting sites within the park can be seen near the Wapsipinicon River.
Please visit the following site which gives more detailed information pertaining to the Wapsipinicon Water Trail.
For detailed information on Iowa's water trails in general visit:
The Iowa DNR water trail system
Park boundaries may not be clearly marked in all locations within the park so please be aware of park boundaries and respect private property.
Operating Hours & Seasons
Contact Us:
Black Hawk County Conservation Board
1346 West Airline Hwy
Waterloo, IA 50703
Phone: (319) 433-PARK (7275) Fax: (319) 433-7276
conservation@co.black-hawk.ia.us
Park hours: 6:00 a.m to 10:30 p.m.