CLAY COUNTY CONSERVATION
420 10th Avenue SE
Spencer, IA 51301
PHONE: (712) 262-2187
EMAIL: clayreservations@gmail.com
WEBSITE: ClayCountyParks.Com
Welcome!
Scharnberg Campground will close for the season on October 13, 2024!
Camping reservations for all sites for the week of the Clay County Fair must be made by calling CCCB at 712-262-2187.
2024 Halloween Hike will be held October 5 at Scharnberg Park! Bring a non-perishable item to be donated to Upper Des Moines Opportunity.
Clay County is located in Northwest Iowa and is home to historic Thunder Bridge, the Clay County Fair, and beautiful Scharnberg Park. The Clay County Conservation Board manages 25 areas that include wildlife areas, public recreational areas, native prairies, a historical pioneer era cemetery, river accesses, camping and trails. These areas provide the public with opportunities to hunt, fish, boat, swim, camp, picnic, bird watch, hike, ride horses, participate in educational programs and just enjoy nature! Enjoy all four seasons in the great outdoors! Clay County Conservation Board’s goal is to promote a safe, friendly environment for everyone to enjoy.
Remember, you can reserve your campsite up to a year in advance and one of our three cabins, (Maple, Pine, or Oak), Scharnberg Shelter or Oneota Lodge up to two years in advance! Just click on Facilities on the left side of this screen.
Get information on any of our parks/wildlife areas/prairies by clicking on Parks on the left side of this screen.
What can you do in Clay County? Many of the activities that you can enjoy are listed in the Activities section.
Have a question? Please see the FAQ for many of the most asked questions. Can’t find the answer there, please give Clay County Conservation Board a call at 712-262-2187.
If you are interested in any of our educational programs, check out Events to see a list of upcoming programs and to register.
Need a map of the Scharnberg campground? See Scharnberg Park Map in the Related Items below.
For additional information about programs, areas and services offered by the Clay County Conservation Board, please utilize the following contact information:
CLAY COUNTY CONSERVATION
420 10th Avenue SE
Spencer, IA 51301
PHONE: (712) 262-2187
EMAIL: clayreservations@gmail.com
WEBSITE: ClayCountyParks.Com
Activities in Clay County
A multitude of activities exist within the 25 parks and areas of the Clay County Conservation Board: camping, hiking, educational programs, hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking and much, much more!
Clay County's Natural Wonders - Did you know??
• Mori Prairie is one of the very few pristine native prairies in Clay County.
• Clay County attracts many nonresident deer and pheasant hunters!
• Clay County has many great areas for your fishing enjoyment.
• Over 14,000 residents were involved in our Environmental Education programs in 2021!
• There are 25 conservation areas in Clay County with facilities for camping, canoeing, hunting and more!
Facilities in Clay County
Facilities that can be reserved for public use within the Clay County Conservation areas:
Three cabins - Maple, Oak and Pine
37 Camping sites at Scharnberg Park (We also have 5 tent sites and 24 sites that are first come, first served!)
Scharnberg Shelter
Oneota Lodge at Oneota Park
We also have open air shelters, picnic tables and primitive camping available at some of our other parks and wildlife areas that are first-come, first serve.
Parks in Clay County
Bertram Reservation
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Clay
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4955 140th Ave
712-262-2187
| Peterson | IA | 51047 |
4955 140th Ave 712-262-2187 Peterson, IA 51047 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Bob Howe Thunder Bridge Wildlife Refuge
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Clay
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1914 W 4th Street
712-262-2187
| Spencer | IA | 51301 |
1914 W 4th Street 712-262-2187 Spencer, IA 51301 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Dickens Pit
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Clay
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3630 290th Ave
712-262-2187
| Dickens | IA | 51333 |
3630 290th Ave 712-262-2187 Dickens , IA 51333 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Donahoo Wildlife Area
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Clay
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1 mile SE of Peterson on 125th Ave/ CR 13
712-262-2187
| Peterson | IA | 51047 |
1 mile SE of Peterson on 125th Ave/ CR 13 712-262-2187 Peterson, IA 51047 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Kindlespire Complex
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Clay
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2345 485th St
712-262-2187
| Sioux Rapids | IA | 50585 |
2345 485th St 712-262-2187 Sioux Rapids, IA 50585 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Kindlespire Complex- Burr Addition
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Clay
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4951 245th Avenue
712-262-2187
| Sioux Rapids | IA | 50585 |
4951 245th Avenue 712-262-2187 Sioux Rapids, IA 50585 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Kindlespire Complex- Burr Oak Cemetery Addition
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Clay
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2505 500th Street
712-262-2187
| Sioux Rapids | IA | 50585 |
2505 500th Street 712-262-2187 Sioux Rapids, IA 50585 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Kindlespire Complex- Heissel Addition
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Clay
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4975 250th Avenue
712-262-2187
| Sioux Rapids | IA | 50585 |
4975 250th Avenue 712-262-2187 Sioux Rapids, IA 50585 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Kindlespire Complex- Nelson / Reng Addition
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Clay
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4935 245th Ave
712-262-2187
| Sioux Rapids | IA | 50585 |
4935 245th Ave 712-262-2187 Sioux Rapids, IA 50585 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Kindlespire Complex- Nelson Addition
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Clay
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2380 490th Street
712-262-2187
| Sioux Rapids | IA | 50585 |
2380 490th Street 712-262-2187 Sioux Rapids, IA 50585 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Kindlespire Complex- Ralph Addition
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Clay
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2399 480th Street
712-262-2187
| Sioux Rapids | IA | 50585 |
2399 480th Street 712-262-2187 Sioux Rapids, IA 50585 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Lost Island Park
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Clay
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3340 340th Ave
712-262-2187
| Ruthven | IA | 51358 |
3340 340th Ave 712-262-2187 Ruthven, IA 51358 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Mori Prairie
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Clay
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1420 380th Street
712-262-2187
| Fostoria | IA | 51340 |
1420 380th Street 712-262-2187 Fostoria, IA 51340 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Nielsen River Access
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Clay
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4700 240th Avenue
712-262-2187
| Sioux Rapids | IA | 50585 |
4700 240th Avenue 712-262-2187 Sioux Rapids, IA 50585 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Ocheyedan Gun Range
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Clay
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1680 350th St.
712-262-2187
| Spencer | IA | 51301 |
1680 350th St. 712-262-2187 Spencer, IA 51301 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Oneota Park - Conservation Board Headquarters
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Clay
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420 10th Avenue SE
712-262-2187
| Spencer | IA | 51301 |
420 10th Avenue SE 712-262-2187 Spencer, IA 51301 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Riverside Little Sioux Access
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Clay
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5020 115th Ave
712-262-2187
| Peterson | IA | 51047 |
5020 115th Ave 712-262-2187 Peterson, IA 51047 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Riverton Wildlife Area
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Clay
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3595 190th Avenue
712-262-2187
| Spencer | IA | 51301 |
3595 190th Avenue 712-262-2187 Spencer, IA 51301 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Scharnberg Park
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Clay
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3430 145th Ave.
712-262-2187
| Everly | IA | 51338 |
3430 145th Ave. 712-262-2187 Everly, IA 51338 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Schmerse Wildlife Area
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Clay
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2535 280th St
712-262-2187
| Fostoria | IA | 51340 |
2535 280th St 712-262-2187 Fostoria, IA 51340 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Stouffer Memorial Wildlife Preserve
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Clay
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2550 360th St
712-262-2187
| Spencer | IA | 51301 |
2550 360th St 712-262-2187 Spencer, IA 51301 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Stub Johnson Family Equestrian Area
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Clay
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2090 360th St
712-262-2187
| Spencer | IA | 51301 |
2090 360th St 712-262-2187 Spencer, IA 51301 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Summit Wildlife Area
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Clay
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1750 275th St.
712-262-2187
| Spencer | IA | 51301 |
1750 275th St. 712-262-2187 Spencer, IA 51301 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Vera & Gilbert James Wildlife Area
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Clay
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1970 500th Street
712-262-2187
| Peterson | IA | 51047 |
1970 500th Street 712-262-2187 Peterson, IA 51047 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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Wanata Park
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Clay
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5050 125th Ave. and E. Front St
712-262-2187
| Peterson | IA | 51047 |
5050 125th Ave. and E. Front St 712-262-2187 Peterson, IA 51047 Clay »Map Location
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Map Location
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