Located near the center of Jones County, Central Park houses the administrative offices of the Jones County Conservation Board. This 217 acre park includes a 25 acre lake with good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish for those who enjoy fishing. Around five miles of hiking trails transverse the woodlands, restored prairie, and wetland habitat.
A new playground area, swimming beach, sand volleyball court, and horseshoe pits are all close to the enclosed pavilion which is a popular reunion location.
Central Park has modern, semi-modern, electric, primitive camping, and camping cabins available from April 15 – October 15. Primitive camping is available year round.
The Jones County Nature Center draws thousands of visitors each year. Public educational programs are given almost every Saturday from Memorial - Labor Day Weekend. Upcoming programs are posted at the nature center, with the campground hosts, and in the campground kiosks. The Nature Center is open from 1 - 5 PM
on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day thru Labor Day Weekend. Please visit our Environmental Education page for more information and a current schedule of
events. Located at
www.jonescountyiowa.org.
Location
12515 Central Park Rd., Center Junction, IA 52212
Cebtral Park is located near the center of Jones County just outside of Amber and Center Junction.
Features
This 217 acre park includes a 25 acre lake with good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish for those who enjoy fishing. Around five miles of hiking trails transverse the woodlands, restored prairie, and wetland habitat. A new playground area, swimming beach, sand volleyball court, and horseshoe pits are all close to the enclosed pavilion which is a popular reunion location. Central Park has modern, semi-modern, electric, primitive camping, and camping cabins. The Jones County Nature Center draws thousands of visitors each year. Public educational programs are given almost every Saturday from Memorial - Labor Day Weekend and monthly the remainder of the year. Upcoming programs can be viewed at
www.jonescountyiowa.org under conservation.
Operating Hours & Seasons
Central Park has modern, semi-modern, electric, primitive camping, and camping cabins available from April 15 – October 15. Primitive camping is available year round.
The park itself is open year round.
From September thru the end of May the Central Park Nature Center is open when staff are in the office. Visitors are encouraged to call (563)487-3541 to inquire on open hours. From May thru September the Nature Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 PM and during the week when staff are present.
Closures
Electrical and water hook ups are turned off October 15 thru April 15th. (This may vary slightly due to weather.)