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Buchanan County’s parks, natural areas, and river
accesses have a lot to offer!
Fontana Park, with its live animal display, nature center, woodland
and multi-use trails, campgrounds, and cabins, is the most
developed park in the county. “Sustainable Living Cabins”
were constructed in 2011. The cabins provide a year-round
opportunity for extended stays in the park, and offer modern
conveniences with nature in mind. The cabins are off-grid, using
solar panels to gather all electrical energy needs. While staying
in the cabins, visitors view displays and meters that provide great
messages about sustainable living techniques and materials. The
cabins also provide modern comfort, with two separate bedrooms,
a full bathroom with shower, and a kitchenette/dining area. Call
319-636-2617 for information about cabin reservations.
At the Buffalo Creek Area near Winthrop, a disc golf course has
become very popular. The course is free to visitors – just bring
a disc. Buchanan County’s campgrounds are a key attraction.
Fontana Park has a few sites that may be reserved in advance..
Both Jakway and Lime Creek provide camping on a first-come
basis, but are less likely to fill up.
Natural areas in Buchanan County abound with wildlife and
splendor. Be sure to check areas along the Wapsipinicon River
– one of Iowa’s few Protected Water Areas, designated for its
intact natural features. The Wapsipinicon River Water Trail runs
throughout Buchanan County. The Water Trail provides direction
and interpretation to kayakers, canoeists and other river users.
Buchanan County’s natural areas include many special places,
such as the County’s largest upland forest (Jakway Forest), and
many native and reconstructed prairies and wetlands. The largest
natural area is the Crumbacher Wildlife Area, which contains
prairies, wetlands, and woodlands. Most natural areas are open
to public hunting.
The 1851 Richardson-Jakway Historic Site (Jakway Forest
Area), provides a glimpse into Iowa’s past. It features a historic
farmstead that was once the heart of the defunct town of
Mudville. Interpretive signs tell the story. Interpretive programs
are presented to groups upon request.
.
The Buchanan County Conservation Board is famous for quality
environmental education programs. To learn more about nature
center activities and naturalist programs, contact the nature
center at 319-636-2617 and visit us at
ACREAGE
CAMPSITES: lectric/ on-Electric/ ull Hookup,
E
N
F
outh, ump Station/ iFi, uestrian
Y
D
W Eq
WATER: rinking/ howers
D
S
TOILETS: lush/ ault
F
V
CABIN RENTAL: easonal/ ear Round
S
Y
SHELTER: nclosed/ pen/ ental/ ree
E
O
R
F
ICNICKING
P
TRAILS: iking/ questrian/ ike-Hard Surface/ t.Bike
H
E
B
M
/Bike- imestone/ nowmobile/ C Ski- roomed/ ater
L
S
X
G
W
SWIMMING: each/ ool
B
P
FISHING: ier/ etty/ ake(acres)/ tream or River
P
J
L
S
BOATING: otor/ anoe/ lectric/ -Boat Rental/ amp
M
C
E
BR
R
SPORTS: rchery/ aseball/ olf/ inter Sports/
A
B
G W
layground/ hooting Range/ orseshoe/ ennis/
P
S
H
T
ce Skating/ edding/ isc Golf
I
Sl
D
SITES: ature Center/ istoric Site/ rairie/
N
H
P
Wildlife xhibit/ etland Area/ mphitheater
E
W
A
ird Watching/ odland/ boretum
B
Wo
Ar
HUNTING: etland/ orest/ pland
W
F
U
30. Robert "Chic" McGlaughlin
Easement
5.5 mi. NE of Independence
5
W
S
C
31. Rowley Fen
.5 mi. N of Rowley
43
W15, P40,
B
U
32. Sand Creek Area
7 mi. S of Quasqueton
80
W
L3, S
B, Wo
W, F
33. Schneider-Heinich-Rowe WL Area
4.5 mi. SE of Quasqueton
20
W5, B, Wo
34. Swartz Preserve
4 mi. W of Aurora
4
W4, B
35. Three Elms Access Area
1 mi. SE of Independence
75
V
OF1 P H, W
P, S
M, C,
R
A
W10, B,
Wo
36. Troy Mills Wapsi Access
8 mi. SE of Quasqueton
63 N2
W
S
M, C,
R
B, Wo
W, F
37. Van Laningham Wildlife Area
7 mi. NW of Winthrop
3
B, Wo
38. Wapsi River Access
.5 mi. NW of Independence
51
V
OF1 P W
S
M, C,
R
W35, B,
Wo
W, F
39. Wehner Woods
.5 mi. NE of Lamont
30
H
U
* Handicap Accessible
ACREAGE
CAMPSITES:
E
lectric/
F
ull Hookup/
N
on-Electric
Eq
uestrian/
Y
outh/
D
ump Station/
W
iFi
WATER:
D
rink g/
S
howers
TOILETS:
F
lush/
V
ault
CABIN RENTAL:
S
easonal/
Y
ear Round
SHELTER:
E
nclosed/
O
pen/
F
ree/
R
ental
P
ICNICKING
TRAILS:
B
ike-Hard Surface/
L
imestone/
M
t.Bike/
W
ater
E
questrian/
H
iking/
S
nowmobile/
X
C Ski-
G
roomed
SWIMMING:
B
each/
P
ool
FISHING:
J
etty/
P
ier/
L
ake(acres)/
S
tream or River/
T
rout
BOATING:
C
anoe/
E
lectric/
M
otor/
BR
-Boat Rental/
R
amp
SPORTS:
A
rchery/
B
aseball/
D
isk Golf/
G
lf/
H
orse hoe
I
ce Skating/
P
layground/
S
hooting Range/
Sl
edding
T
ennis/
W
inter Sports
SITES:
A
mphitheater/
Ar
bo
tum/
B
ird Watching
Wildlife
E
xhibit/
H
istoric Site/
N
ature Center
P
rairie/
W
etland/
Wo
odland
HUNTING:
F
orest/
U
pland/
W
etland
26
Guide to Outdoor Adventure
Buchanan
County