Polk

Thomas Mitchell Park


Cabins at Thomas Mitchell Park This modern 3-bedroom cabin (capacity 6) 10 minutes from Prairie Meadows, Outlet shopping, Adventureland Park and 20 minutes from Iowa State Fairgrounds, provides opportunities for visitors to enjoy Thomas Mitchell Park but want more comforts than camping allows. Gather with friends and families around the fire-pit, play yard games on surrounding large shaded lawn, hike nearby woods or explore via kayak provided with each cabin rental. Begin and end the day gazing over nearby pond on the small covered front porch or the large deck. When the weather outside is frightful, gather inside to enjoy games, puzzles or read by the gas fireplace. Additional amenities include a full modern kitchen with dishes provided, comfortable beds, bathroom with ADA shower, modern household furnishings and outside BBQ grill. Cabin reservations are to be made online. Prior to booking, please review the Facility Contract, which includes cancellation, and refund/change restrictions as well as restrictions regarding youth groups, alcohol etc. The amenities offered, items provided and supplies needed for each cabin are located in cabin Amenities section.
Camping at Thomas Mitchell Park Thomas Mitchell Park's campground rests in a scenic bend of Camp Creek at the foot of a tall, wooded ridge. This popular area offers electric sites, primitive sites, and 2 youth group camping areas. A modern showerhouse and dump station are open from mid-April to mid-October. Children's playground, hiking trails, fishing pond, and reconstructed prairie are nearby. More information can be found on our website at www.leadingyououtdoors.org Reservations for all campsites can be made on this website by clicking the MAKE RESERVATIONS tab above.
Education at Thomas Mitchell Park Polk County Conservation naturalists offer nature programs at Thomas Mitchell Park. To request a Nature News to learn about upcoming programs at Thomas Mitchell and other parks in Polk County send an email to pccb_info@polkcountyiowa.gov and put ADD TO MAILING LIST in the reference line.
Facility Rentals at Thomas Mitchell Park Two shelters are located near the ballfield and playground. Shelter are reservable from April 15 - October 16 or on a first come first serve basis. Reservations can be made using this website by clicking on the MAKE RESERVATIONS tab above.
FALL COLORS at Thomas Mitchell Park Come stroll through beautiful trails or splash around in Camp Creek as your find yourself surrounded by the colors of autumn.
Fishing at Thomas Mitchell Park For more information on fishing and a pond contour map, please visit our website at www.leadingyououtdoors.org or by clicking on the following link: FISHING INFORMATION Major improvements to the pond have been taking place IN RECENT years, improving the quality of the woodlands and pond in Thomas Mitchell Park. Grant dollars have funded the installation of water control structures, construction and connection of new tile lines, reestablishment of native vegetation, pond dredging, fish restocking, and timber stand improvement.
Geocaching at Thomas Mitchell Park Geocaching has become a very popular activity for individuals and families to participate in. Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for GPS users. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the Internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is to leave an item if they decide to take something from the cache. Visit geocaching.com for more details. Polk County Conservation permits geocaching in keeping with its mission to provide opportunities for safe recreational activities. Geocachers are welcome to place a cache in PCC lands as long as they comply with the requirements of the geocache permit.
Historic Visits at Thomas Mitchell Park Thomas Mitchell Park was named after Polk County’s earliest Anglo-American settler, Thomas Mitchell. In 1844, Mitchell obtained early access to the Iowa Territory from Captain Allen, commander of Fort Des Moines. In exchange, Mitchell built a bridge over Camp Creek which was often impassible to wagons traveling from Keokuk and Iowa City to Fort Des Moines. He also built the Apple Grove Inn, in what is today’s Thomas Mitchell Park. Thomas Mitchell was not only an innkeeper, but also a farmer, legislator, sheriff, and operator of a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Other Activities at Thomas Mitchell Park A ball field is located near Shelter #1 and is reservable with a shelter reservation. It is available on a first come basis when shelter is not reserved. A universally designed play area provides accessible walkways connecting the playground, restrooms, shelters, and ball field. The playground has an average of 50 different activities and are constructed using recycled materials. Some of the activities include slides, swings, tunnels, sliding poles, cargo nets, ramps, bridges, lookout towers, and activity panels.
Picnicking at Thomas Mitchell Park Two picnic shelters are available by reservation or on a first come first serve basis. Numerous picnic tables are scattered throughout the park.
Trails & Hiking at Thomas Mitchell Park Devoite Trail: This ridge top trail is part of the old stagecoach trail which continued on to Fort Des Moines and beyond. The stagecoach would make stops at Thomas Mitchell's cabin while traveling along this trail. Difficulty: Moderate For more trail information and park maps, please visit our website at www.leadingyououtdoors.org or clicking on the following link: PARKS AND TRAILS
Winter Activities at Thomas Mitchell Park Snowmobiling is allowed east of the creek.

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