FAQ

Camping

Do I have to reserve my campsite online?

No, you do not have to reserve your campsite online. You are able to go to the campgrounds and register in person, however if you decide to register this way we cannot guarantee that there will be campsites avaliable. 

How much does a campsite reservation cost per night?

All of our campsites have a rate of $15.00 per night. 

What do you mean when you say all of the campsites are "primitive"?

By primitive, we mean that none of our campsites have their own water, sewer, or electrical hookups. 

How far in advance do camping reservations have to be made?

Reservations for campsites must be made 3 days in advance. If you are reserving for a weekend there is a two night minimum stay & for holidays the minimum stay is 3 nights. You are able to reserve campsites up to a year in advance. 

Can I reserve a campsite by phone call?

No, we do not reserve campsites over the phone. The only way for you to reserve a campsite is through Mycountyparks.com

Can I check campsite availability over the phone?

No, we cannot determine the availability of a campsite unless it was reserved here on Mycountyparks, which you can check by going to the check availability tab on each campsite. 

Can I be refunded for my campsite reservation if I cancel?

No, we do not issue refunds for camping reservations. We do appreciate a cancellation notice if you are not going to utilize your reserved campsite. 

Can I change the dates of my reservation after I've reserved & payed for a campsite?

We do not adjust dates for camping reservations, please plan ahead. 

Can I ride an ATV/UTV in any of the campgrounds/parks?

No, we do not authorize the use of UTVs/ATVs in our campgrounds or parks. 

How many people can be at a single campsite?

You can have one RV or one trailer, or two tents on the site. Two motor vehicles are allowed per campsite.

Do your campgrounds have water?

None of our campgrounds have water available for each individual campsite. However, Bloody Run, Motor Mill, & Joy Springs campgrounds both have a single water hydrant avaliable for use by all campers. Water is turned off in each of the campgrounds every year around November 1st. 

If a reserved campsite is unoccupied can I take it?

If a campsite has a reservation sign posted you CANNOT utilize the site during the specified dates on the reservation sign, even if no one is present. Any campsite with a reservation sign posted has already been paid for online. The person that reserved the campsite can show up whenever they please within their reservation period. 

General Questions

Is the outdoor animal exhibit open?

In the summer months the Osborne Outdoor Native Wildlife Exhibit is open from sunrise to sunset. In early spring, late fall, and throughout winter the Native Wildlife Exhibit is open the same hours as the Osborne Nature Center. 

Is there a fee for the animal exhibit?

There are no fees to go through our Native Wildlife Exhibit at Osborne, it is free. However, we do have multiple donation boxes located in the animal exhibit and nature center and we always greatly appreciate donations! 

Is the Osborne Nature Center Open?

The Osborne Nature Center hours vary depending on the season.

April-October the Nature Center is open Monday-Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM & on Sundays 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

November-March the Nature Center is open Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM & closed weekends. 

Can we still visit Osborne if the Nature Center is closed.

Yes, you can still visit even if our Nature Center is closed. From April - October the animal exhibit remains open from sunrise to sunset. From November-March the animal exhibit is only open during our winter business hour schedule (M-F 8AM-4PM). 

What do you do with the animals in outdoor Native Animal Exhibit in the winter?

During the winter months our animals stay in their usual shelters/enclosed areas. Each fall we prepare their enclosures/beds to insure they have proper warming/insulating materials to keep them comfortable in the cold months. 

How can I donate to the animal exhibit?

You can donate in person while visiting the Nature Center & Animal Exhibit. There is also the option to donate via Paypal here.

Do you offer hunters education courses?

Each year we offer two hunter education course options at the Osborne Nature Center. We have a online field day option for those that have taken the online hunters education course and need a field day in order to fulfil the course requirements. We also offer a full in person hunters education course with classroom and live fire portions. If you are interested in any of our hunter ed courses at Osborne please visit this link to view upcoming options: https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/EventsHome.aspx

What are your social media pages?

Here are links to our various online platforms. 

Facebook

Instagram

Clayton County Conservation Website 

If the campgrounds are closed for the season can I still visit the park?

Our campgrounds are closed from November 1st - April 30th. You can still visit these parks throughout the year.