This 16.5 mile journey can be a step back into time as travelers witness a few remaining prairie and wetland remnants. The recently paved trail, managed jointly by the Warren and Polk County Conservation Boards, preserves some of Iowa’s endangered plants, those plants that had been wiped out in other parts of the state as land-use changes were made.  Hop on your bike and enjoy the trail.

There are 5 primitive campsites along the park road. Following the trail on the west side of the park, you will quickly discover the secluded, primitive walk-in campsites that overlook Otter Creek. Registration is required, but camping is provided at no cost. Reservations are not allowed.

This area features a primitive camping area with 7 sites. Registration is required, but camping is provided at no cost. Reservations are not allowed.

The wetland areas on site and the South River that run through the area are great for exploring by canoe or kayak.

Education at the Annett Nature Center
The Annett Nature Center serves as the hub for Warren County Conservation Board activities. It provides a one-of-a-kiind learning experience to thousands of people.  Hundreds of acres surrounding the Center are rich in a variety of resources, featuring miles of trails, 30' observation tower, Osprey Reintroduction site, fishing, prairie plantings, a butterfly garden, a bird blind and wetland.  The Center serves as the focal point for many school field trips and the WCCB Day Camps.  Highlights of the Center include displays on two levels, and a  small bird viewing room. The Center has a full time education staff of 2 naturalists.

Warren County Conservation Board Naturalists provide education programs for every age group, school, civic organization or scout group. Call 515-961-6169 to schedule a program or find out about upcoming programs in the county

Warren County Conservation Board Naturalists provide education programs for every age group, school, civic organization or scout group. Call 515-961-6169 to schedule a program or find out about upcoming programs in the county.

Warren County Conservation Board Naturalists provide education programs for every age group, school, civic organization or scout group. Call 515-961-6169 to schedule a program or find out about upcoming programs in the county.

Warren County Conservation Board Naturalists provide education programs for every age group, school, civic organization or scout group. Call 515-961-6169 to schedule a program or find out about upcoming programs in the county.

Warren County Conservation Board Naturalists provide education programs for every age group, school, civic organization or scout group. Call 515-961-6169 to schedule a program or find out about upcoming programs in the county.

The shelter houses are very popular for family reunions, scout outings and birthday parties. There are also 2 playgrounds and a restroom facility.  Call 515-961-6169 to get your event scheduled today!

The shelter is very popular for family reunions and scout outings.  Call 515-961-6169 to get your event scheduled today!

Lester Pond provides great year round fishing opportunities for anglers. The pond is known for good large mouth bass fishing, as well as decent populations of pan fish and catfish.

Please abide by DNR fishing regulations and local length and limits as they pertain to certain species. For additional information, please visit the IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES website.

Enjoy a quiet afternoon of fishing at this small 1 acre pond.  Bass, blue gill, and catfish may be found here.

A group of Native American Indians known as the Woodland Indians once called this area home.Over 200 years ago they lived along the banks of the Squaw Creek. they shaped tools from chert, molded pottery from clay mixed with grit, hunted the abundant game and gathered food from the land. There is a large conical-shaped burial mound located toward the north end of the park. It is believed that when people of high status in the tribal unit died, their bodies were placed on ridge tops above the riverside campsites and large earthen mounds were constructed over them. While the bones have long since decayed, the mound still tells us that the spot was recognized as a sacred place many years ago.

In the early 1900’s, the area that is now the picnic grounds was then an active farmstead. The old wooden barn that housed the family’s livestock still stands and helps us explain the farming practices of yesteryear. There are three sections to the foundation of the home that once stood. One part was stone, another brick and yet another poured concrete telling us there were three additions to the house. There is also a root cellar that served as the family’s storm shelter and food storage area. Just west of the farmstead is the remnants of the old stagecoach road that once connected Osceola to Indianola. It angled right past the house and barn. The Warren County Conservation Board purchased Hickory Hills in December of 1976 and has maintained it ever since.

Immerse yourself in what Iowa used to look like.  A rolling area with a wooded creek, that area consists mainly of grasses and forbs. It is used extensively by a variety of upland and woodland species. This prairie is the largest track of native prairie in the county.  The two hundred acres on the west side of 80th Avenue have never been plowed and contain high quality native prairie vegetation.

Woodland Mounds Preserve contains 185 acres of timber that provides habitat for many types of woodland wildlife. If is part of one of the largest continuous stands of timber remaining in the county. The area was purchased in by the Warren County Conservation Board in 1981 with assistance from a grant from the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Fund, a pool of money available to on a competitive basis to county conservation boards funded through the of Wildlife Habitat Fee, a fee required with the purchase of an Iowa hunting license. Warren County has been fortunate to use this very competitive grant program to purchase four tracts of land. An additional 140 acres have been leased, bringing the total acreage open to the public on this area to 325.
The area is used for school field trips in the spring and early fall, has an extensive trail system and is open to hunting within the rules and regulations set forth by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 138-acres of Blue Flag Marsh a popular destination for hunting and wildlife observation. Many game species including deer, squirrels, raccoons, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, and many furbearing animals are found here.

The plentiful game and diverse songbird populations make the 542-acres at Bank Swallow Bend a popular destination for wildlife observation. Bitterns, Bank Swallows, resident Bald Eagles, Snowy Egrets and more bird species await. Many game species including deer, squirrels, raccoons, pheasant, quail, waterfowl, and many furbearing animals are also found here. Don't forget your camera!

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment Geocaching is a great way to see Grants.  

 

Visit www.geocaching.com to get started today.

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment Geocaching is a great way to see the Great Western Trail.  Visit geocaching.com to get started. 

No hike at Otter Creek is complete without a visit to the pond.  Although it is small and contains no fish, it attracts a large number of animals.  The waters are crowded with aquatic insects and frogs.  The large tadpole population makes it a great attraction for children, whose access to the water has been made safe by the installation of a boardwalk along the pond’s edge.

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment Geocaching is a great way to see Zo-El.  The cache is located at N 41° 23.719 W 093° 41.900

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment Geocaching is a great way to see Lundy Acres. 

Visit www.geocaching.com to get started today.

There is a picnic area with a large fire pit here perfect for a family afternoon at the park

The shelter is available by reservation or on a first-come basis. Picnic areas are scattered throughout the park complete with tables and grill boxes.

The barn and picnic shelter are available by reservation or on a first-come basis. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park.

The shelter is available by reservation or on a first-come basis. There are also picnic areas with grills throughout the park available on a first-come basis.

There are miles of mowed fire breaks that act as trails for people to explore this vast wetland area.

There are no designated trails at Blue Flag, but it is a great area to explore off trail.  You are sure to see many songbirds, waterfowl and even some deer.

This 160-acre park sports nearly 7 miles of diverse hiking trails through rolling hills of prairie, woodland stream valleys and lake and wetland loops. and stream valleys. The trails are interconnected to provide a network of trail throughout the park.  

Lundy is home to a short, pleasant meandering trail.  Come explore the lowland woods and Middle River.

There are approximately three miles of trails through Otter Creek Park. They cut through the oak and shagbark hickory forest, which typify the native vegetation of Warren County’s ridges.  Following the trail on the west side of the park, you will quickly discover the secluded campsites that overlook Otter Creek.  These are primitive campsites that can only be reached on foot. No hike at Otter Creek is complete without a visit to the pond.  Although it is small and contains no fish, it attracts a large number of animals.  The waters are crowded with aquatic insects and frogs.  The large tadpole population makes it a great attraction for children, whose access to the water has been made safe by the installation of a boardwalk along the pond’s edge.

This eleven mile journey from Carlisle to Indianola takes you through rolling hills and wetland river bottom as it winds from town to town. In the middle sits the village of Summerset on the south bank of the Middle River. Put on your hiking boots and enjoy the trail.

The Summerset Trail can be enjoyed in the winter as well.  Explore the trail by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet. 

Hickory Hills can be enjoyed in the winter as well.  Explore the trails by cross-country skis, snowshoe or your own two feet.  The small pond is also great for ice-fishing.

With necessary winter conditions (sufficient snow, cold temperatures, etc.) Bank Swallow Bend is a winter playground of sorts! Our miles of trails are great for exploring by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.  Stop at the wetland for ice-fishing fun too. All of these activities make for great outdoor winter fun and recreational opportunities.