Bigelow Park - Brown's Lake

Park Entrance Sign
Park Entrance Sign
Fishing and Boat Dock at Brown
New Brown

CAMPGROUND CLOSING FOR THE SEASON ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2021.

The Woodbury County Conservation Board CAMPGROUND and shower house at Bigelow Park – Brown’s Lake near Salix will close early for the season on Wednesday, September 8 at 4:00 p.m. Renovations to the Bigelow Park Campground are needed and the staff plans to begin in early September on that project. The enclosed shelter, playground, fishing pier and other facilities at Bigelow Park will remain open.

THE BEACH AT BROWN'S LAKE - BIGELOW PARK IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION.

 

Brown's Lake is managed by the DNR. It is a natural oxbow of the Missouri River formed when the river was free to meander across the river valley. Brown's Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass and northern pike. A fishing dock and boat ramp provides access to the lake, which is a popular area for recreational boaters and water skiers as well.




Location

Bigelow Park is located one mile west of Salix on a 600-acre lake known as Brown's Lake. Originally a state park, Bigelow Park has been managed by the Woodbury County Conservation Board since 1970 and includes numerous amenities.

Bigelow Park Office:

722 Bigelow Park Road
Salix, IA 51052
712-946-7114

 

GOOGLE MAP LOCATION




Features

On site facilities:

  • electric campsites (fee charged)
  • tent or non-electrical campsites (fee charged)
  • new shower house with family shower facilities, flush toilets and hot water, also serves as a tornado safe room
  • dump station
  • enclosed shelter house (fee charged)
  • open picnic shelter
  • sand volleyball court 
  • picnic sites
  • playground equipment
  • beach area (Memorial Day to Labor Day)
  • boat ramp
  • fishing dock
  • open sports area
  • trails
  • winter activities: ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling (confined to ice only)
  • birdwatching

A public hunting and wildlife management area is located on the west side of Brown's Lake.



Operating Hours & Seasons

Park facilities are open and pressurized water systems are available May 1 through October 31. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and feature self-registration. Firewood is available from the park officer for a nominal fee. 

Camping Fees  
~ $17/day for Non Electrical Sites 
~ $25/day for Electrical & Water Sites 
~ $5/bundle for Firewood 

Closures

CAMPGROUND WILL BE CLOSING FOR THE SEASON ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2021.

 The Woodbury County Conservation Board CAMPGROUND and shower house at Bigelow Park – Brown’s Lake near Salix will close early for the season on Wednesday, September 8 at 4:00 p.m. Renovations to the Bigelow Park Campground are needed and the staff plans to begin in early September on that project. The enclosed shelter, playground, fishing pier and other facilities at Bigelow Park will remain open.

BROWN'S LAKE - BIGELOW PARK BEACH IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION.