Connecting people with nature and improving natural resources –
making Story County a great place to live, work, and recreate
Story County Conservation works to provide central Iowa with a variety of outdoor leisure opportunities and quality recreational facilities. Story County Conservation maintains over 3,500 acres of parks and natural areas within the county.
The Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management department assists private landowners in developing and managing wildlife and habitat plantings and maintains vegetation along Story County roads.
The Environmental Education Program works with school districts and day cares to provide classroom programs and outdoor field trips that promote environmental awareness and enjoyment of our natural resources.
Only non-toxic ammunition is allowed on Story County owned public hunting land. Public Hunting Brochure
For additional information about the services, programs and facilities offered by Story County Conservation, please utilize the following contact information:
STORY COUNTY CONSERVATION
56461 180th Street
Ames, IA 50010-9451
PHONE: (515) 232-2516
FAX: (515)-232-6989
EMAIL: conservation@storycountyiowa.gov
WEBSITE: www.storycountyconservation.org
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/storycountyconservation
Permanent Protection for Deppe Property
A new park is coming soon near Ames and you can be part of it! The Deppe Property, located immediately south of McFarland Park, is a 124-acre tract recently purchased by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. With timber, a small stream, more than 90 acres of open field, this property will complement the neighboring offerings at McFarland Park.
As a wildlife refuge, the Deppe Property will add an increased buffer for species like wild turkey and whitetail deer from development as Ames continues to grow. As permanently protected land, we hope to bring prairie and wetlands back to the landscape to hold soil, clean water, and give home to countless plants and animals... with permanent protection.
We're currently raising funds necessary for the land acquisition before we can open Deppe Family Conservation Area to the public. As of September 2023, we are more than 83% of the way there! Your gift now brings this park closer to completion and closer to opening. Your donation matters today, tomorrow, and every day into the future. Please give to be part of adding this new park to your neighborhood!
Click here to donate now.
NatureConnect is SCC's new Service Assistance Program
In need of financial assistance? We encourage you to check out NatureConnect, our service assistance program that provides 75% off the cost of SCC camping, educational programs, and more. Contact us at 515-232-2516 to receive a coupon code.
Activities in Story County
Enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences and recreational opportunities at our lakes and rivers, parks, trails, prairies, marshes, and woodlands including camping, hiking, swimming, picnicking, bird watching, kayaking/canoeing, geocaching, bicycling, fishing, and hunting.
A new park is coming soon near Ames and you can be part of it! The Deppe Property, located immediately south of McFarland Park, is a 124-acre tract recently purchased by Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. With timber, a small stream, more than 90 acres of open field, this property will complement the neighboring offerings at McFarland Park. As a wildlife refuge, the Deppe Property will add an increased buffer for species like wild turkey and whitetail deer from development as Ames continues to grow. As permanently protected land, we hope to bring prairie and wetlands back to the landscape to hold soil, clean water, and give home to countless plants and animals... with permanent protection. We're currently raising funds necessary for the land acquisition before we can open Deppe Family Conservation Area to the public. As of September 2023, we are more than 83% of the way there! Your gift now brings this park closer to completion and closer to opening. Your donation matters today, tomorrow, and every day into the future. Please give to be part of adding this new park to your neighborhood!
Parks in Story County
265th Street Bridge Access
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Story
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56091 265th Street
515-232-2516
| Ames | IA | 50010 |
56091 265th Street 515-232-2516 Ames, IA 50010 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Anderson Canoe Access
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Story
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56743 150th Street
515-232-2516
| Story City | IA | 50248 |
56743 150th Street 515-232-2516 Story City, IA 50248 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Askew Bridge/Cambridge Pond
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Story
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57887 290th Street
515-232-2516
| Cambridge | IA | 50046 |
57887 290th Street 515-232-2516 Cambridge, IA 50046 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Bear Creek
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Story
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16415 Pleasant Valley Road
515-232-2516
| Story City | IA | 50248 |
16415 Pleasant Valley Road 515-232-2516 Story City, IA 50248 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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C.J. Shreck Access
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Story
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59627 Highway 210
515-232-2516
| Cambridge | IA | 50046 |
59627 Highway 210 515-232-2516 Cambridge, IA 50046 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Carroll Prairie
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Story
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61250 200th Street
515-232-2516
| Nevada | IA | 50201 |
61250 200th Street 515-232-2516 Nevada, IA 50201 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Christiansen Forest Preserve
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Story
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55973 310th Street
515-232-2516
| Huxley | IA | 50124 |
55973 310th Street 515-232-2516 Huxley, IA 50124 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Cooper's Prairie Marsh
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Story
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58249 200th Street
515-232-2516
| Nevada | IA | 50201 |
58249 200th Street 515-232-2516 Nevada, IA 50201 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Crooked Bend
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Story
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15997 Pleasant Valley Road
515-232-2516
| Story City | IA | 50248 |
15997 Pleasant Valley Road 515-232-2516 Story City, IA 50248 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Dakins Lake
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Story
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70613 130th Street
515-232-2516
| Zearing | IA | 50278 |
70613 130th Street 515-232-2516 Zearing, IA 50278 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Doolittle Prairie
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Story
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14249 560th Avenue
515-232-2516
| Story City | IA | 50248 |
14249 560th Avenue 515-232-2516 Story City, IA 50248 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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E-18 Greenbelt Access
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Story
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56342 130th Street
515-232-2516
| Story City | IA | 50248 |
56342 130th Street 515-232-2516 Story City, IA 50248 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Ed Powell Wildlife Area
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Story
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68328 130th Street
515-232-2516
| Zearing | IA | 50278 |
68328 130th Street 515-232-2516 Zearing, IA 50278 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Gladys Leui Preserve
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Story
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27371 670th Avenue
515-232-2516
| Maxwell | IA | 50161 |
27371 670th Avenue 515-232-2516 Maxwell, IA 50161 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Heart of Iowa Nature Trail
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Story
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Starts at R-38/Linn Street
515-232-2516
| Slater | IA | 50244 |
Starts at R-38/Linn Street 515-232-2516 Slater, IA 50244 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Hertz Family Woods and Nature Preserve
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Story
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25401 Country Club Road
515-232-2516
| Nevada | IA | 50201 |
25401 Country Club Road 515-232-2516 Nevada, IA 50201 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Hickory Grove Park
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Story
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67464 250th Street
515-232-2516
| Colo | IA | 50056 |
67464 250th Street 515-232-2516 Colo, IA 50056 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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I-35 Prairie Area
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Story
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15233 I-35
515-232-2516
| Story City | IA | 50248 |
15233 I-35 515-232-2516 Story City, IA 50248 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Jennett Heritage Area
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Story
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62321 280th Street
515-232-2516
| Nevada | IA | 50201 |
62321 280th Street 515-232-2516 Nevada, IA 50201 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Jim Ketelsen Greenwing Marsh
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Story
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21163 570th Avenue
515-232-2516
| Ames | IA | 50010 |
21163 570th Avenue 515-232-2516 Ames, IA 50010 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Larson Marsh
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Story
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59537 220th Street
515-232-2516
| Ames | IA | 50010 |
59537 220th Street 515-232-2516 Ames, IA 50010 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Lekwa Access
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Story
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56156 130th Street
515-232-2516
| Story City | IA | 50248 |
56156 130th Street 515-232-2516 Story City, IA 50248 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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Leopold Woods
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Story
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55821 175th Street
515-232-2516
| Ames | IA | 50010 |
55821 175th Street 515-232-2516 Ames, IA 50010 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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McFarland Park
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Story
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56461 180th Street
515-232-2516
| Ames | IA | 50010 |
56461 180th Street 515-232-2516 Ames, IA 50010 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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O'Neil Prairie
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Story
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5384 O’Neil Drive
515-232-2516
| Ames | IA | 50010 |
5384 O’Neil Drive 515-232-2516 Ames, IA 50010 Story »Map Location
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Map Location
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