Arrowhead Park

Neola, Iowa | Click for directions

Arrowhead Park is the perfect destination for anyone wishing to spend time in nature!

This 147-acre family-friendly park is located in Neola, IA and has a wealth of fishing, camping and outdoor recreation opportunities, including a playground, basketball and volleyball courts, woodland hiking trails and wildlife viewing.

Park Features:

• Fishing
• Pattleboats and canoes
• Seasonal activities
• Shelter including cabins (starting at $50), camping (tent and RV) and overlook/den

Botna Bend Park

Hancock, Iowa | Click for directions

The towering deciduous trees and open green spaces invite outdoor enthusiasts to this unique 119-acre park nestled in Hancock, IA.

Home to our annual Maple Tree Tap event this picturesque park also features live bison and elk herds with informational kiosks to introduce you to these amazing animals. Explore the park on quiet prairie and river hiking trails or visit our playground & nature playscape for a fun, family adventure, have a picnic at one of our convenient shelters, book your next family get together at Olsen Lodge, or stay the night in our beautiful campgrounds. 

Botna Bend Park is located on the West Nishnabotna River Water Trail & also features access to this meandering river for your canoeing or tubing adventure. 

Park Features:

• Archery Range
• Bison & Elk
• Disc Golf Course
• Hiking Trails
• Seasonal activities
• West Nishnabotna Water Trail
• Playgrounds, kids cabin, volley ball pit, basketball court

Hitchcock Nature Center

Honey Creek, Iowa | Click for directions

Mission: The Hitchcock Nature Center exists to develop and foster appreciation and understanding of the Loess Hills as a globally significant landform through land management, environmental education and low-impact recreation.

Nestled on the rugged western edge of Iowa’s Loess Hills, Hitchcock Nature Center (HNC) currently consists of 1,268 acres located near the center of the globally significant Loess Hills landform. The Loess Hills harbor some of the largest remaining prairie remnants in Iowa and provide refuge for plants and animals found nowhere else in the state. Hitchcock is open every day of the year for hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching, snow sledding, star gazing, or simply enjoying nature. 

Park Features:

• Loess Hills Lodge Interpretive Facility
• Archery Range
• Geocaching & Earthcaching
• HawkWatch
• Hunting
• Loess Hills
• Playground
• Seasonal activities
• Snowshoe rental
• Trails
• Adventure packs
• Shelter including cabins (starting at $50), camping (tent and RV) and the Loess Hills Lodge ($175)

Narrows River Park

Council Bluffs, Iowa | Click for directions

Narrows River Park provides boat access to the mighty Missouri River, just off I-29 in Council Bluffs.

Two covered shelters overlook the river invites visitors to stay and enjoy the beauty of the river and the Omaha skyline downstream. In addition to the boat ramp (currently closed), the 36-acre park includes horseshoe pits, archery range with an adjacent picnic shelter, equal access picnic table with checkerboard, playground and modern restrooms. The park closes November through March.

The park is open during daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset unless otherwise posted. Park hours are strictly enforced and any vehicles in the park after hours will result in vehicles being towed at the owner’s expense.

Park Features:

• Archery Range
• Boating Launch
• Shelter including the Narrows Missouri River Outlook Shelter

Old Town Park

Macedonia, Iowa | Click for directions

Old Town Park is located on the historic Mormon Trail and offers visitors a wonderful “back to nature” feeling by providing West Nishnabotna River access and primitive camping opportunities. The 9.5 acre park is a great place to picnic or inner tube down the river.

Visit this picturesque, picnic park just outside of the town of Macedonia, Iowa. Steeped in history this small park is located at the site of a rare limestone bottom river crossing where Mormon settlers would cross the West Nishnabotna River on their way west. This small park offers river access, restrooms (seasonally), playground, picnic facilities, historical information, & beautiful views. 

The West Nishnabnota River Water Trail has access points at the communities of Avoca, Hancock, Oakland, Carson, and Macedonia. As Nate Hoogeveen describes in Paddling Iowa, “Expect no dramatic bluffs or fast water on the West Nishnabotna – it is a very lazily meandering, tree-lined prairie stream, typically brown as cocoa for much of the season, with a sandy and occasionally muddy bottom.”

To schedule a West Nishnabotna river journey, contact Rubber Duck Outfitters at (402) 201-6776, or visit their website.