In 1977 Marshall County Conservation Board purchased a 116 1/2 acres area with a 16 acre lake now know as Green Castle Recreational Area. The rolling landscape of this area is painted with native prairie, evergreen trees, and hardwood trees. Green Castle has many day use facilities to offer including: three shelter houses (one reservable by contacting 641-752-5490 and one that is ADA accessible), hiking trails, ADA accessible fishing dock, astronomy observatory, and a small wildlife exhibit.
The lake itself has large populations of many game fish, jetties for easy shore line fishing, and numerous submerged fishing shelters to provide habitat to promote health fish populations. Additionally Green Castle Lake is the site of the current state record Crappie which weighed in at 4 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 1/4 inches long.
When you visit make sure that you also stop by the wildlife exhibit to see the bison and swans and check out the Central Iowa Astronomy Club to see when their next astronomy event will be held at Green Castle Recreation Area.
Features
Amenities Include:
- Three picnic shelters (one reservable by contacting 641-752-5490 and one that is ADA accessible)
- Restrooms
- Electricity (Available spring through fall)
- Drinking water (Available spring through fall)
- Playground
- Hiking Trails
- Wildlife exhibit
- Observatory
- ADA accessible fishing dock
Allowed Activities Include:
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Fishing and ice fishing
- Bird watching and wildlife viewing
- Cross country skiing
- Sledding
- Ice skating
Operating Hours & Seasons
Recreational Area Hours are 5:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Area is open year round.