Located 2 miles southwest of Correctionville , Iowa on Hwy 31, this 532-acre area provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities for the public. The 10-acre lake has angling opportunities for large-mouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.  Only electric trolling motors, oars and paddles are allowed on all county owned lakes.  There is a designated swimming beach area.  A 42-unit campground has water, electricity, modern restrooms and shower facilities.  Playground equipment is located near the campground. Another 150+ non-electrical campsites are located throughout the park with access to showers and restrooms. Four camping cabins are available for rental as well. Hiking trails offer opportunities to explore the marsh, native trees, shrub plantings, native prairies and food plots.  Park Officers are given authority to refuse camping privileges and rescind any and all camping permits for cause.  All Park Rules & Regulations of the Woodbury County Conservation Board are in effect.

Located three and one-half miles north of Moville, this park is comprised of two abandoned gravel pits that have been converted to recreational lakes.

This 34 acre area is located one mile south of Bigelow Park near Salix. Snyder Bend Lake is an oxbow of the Missouri River, formed in the early 1960's when the river was channelized.

The lake has been stocked with walleye fingerlings for the past six years, a cooperative project with the River City Anglers of Siouxland. Other popular game fish include largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, catfish, and perch.

A wildlife refuge has been established at Snyder Bend and no disturbance or human traffic is allowed on the refuge between September 10 and December 25. Park facilities are open May 1 through October 31. The park office phone number is 712-946-5622.

This 90-acre area is located four miles southeast of Anthon. It is an undeveloped public wildlife area for hiking and hunting. Wildlife and wildflowers are abundant.

The nature center was completed in July 1995, one year after construction began. We celebrated our official grand opening on October 22, 1995. The $1.4 million facility was supported by funding from local and state grants, government agencies, corporate and business agencies, and the general public. The Woodbury County Conservation Foundation was the tax exempt agency assisting with fund-raising.

The 14,000 plus square foot facility is the main headquarters of the Woodbury County Conservation Board. Public areas include a hands-on learning gallery, two multi-purpose classrooms, access to trails, an observation area for wildlife viewing, a resource library and conference room, and kitchen facilities. The entire facility is handicap accessible.

The nature center is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The nature center is closed on Mondays and holidays. Visitors are invited to view exhibits, hike trails, and use the facility during open hours. The Woodbury County Conservation Board office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Area hours for the nature center, access road, and immediate vicinity are 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily.

The nature center is a "door to the out-of-doors," not a museum of natural history items. The center's multi-purpose rooms and resource library may be reserved by groups for a fee. For information on these fees and availability of scheduling see the "Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center Policy and Procedures." Office phone number is 712/258-0838.

Stone State Park is located in the northwest corner of Sioux City with 1,085 acres in Woodbury and Plymouth Counties. The park is named for the Stone family. Hector Talbot established a private park in the area in the 1880s. Talbot had a keen interest in nature and developed a zoo at the present site of the park, which the Stone family continued after acquiring the area in 1895. Stone family heirs donated the area to Sioux City for it to be kept as "Stone Park."

In 1935, the city deeded the area to the state so a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp could be established there. Portions of the zoo were transferred to other parks in the city but the bears were left at Stone Park until 1940. The CCC program developed the park with buildings, water and sewage, roads, and landscaping. Some or all of this construction may be added to the National Register of historic places.

Stone Park is located entirely in the unique Loess Hills of western Iowa. The Loess Hills were formed many thousands of years ago by the deposition of windblown soil. The loess deposits are found in the eastern Missouri River valleys in Missouri and Iowa. Loess deposits of this magnitude are found only here and in China.

Native prairie and woodland communities blend together to show off many species of wildflowers, including yucca, penstemon, and nearly a hundred other species. The Mt. Talbot State preserve was established in 1989 in the northern portion of Stone Park. The preserve was established to protect the native prairie vegetation growing there.

Stone State Park is a picnicker's delight with many grassy and shaded picnic areas. Although located only minutes from Sioux City, Stone Park offers a real "away-from-it-all" picnic experience. Four open shelters are available and may be reserved by contacting the park ranger.

Stone Park has a small but attractive modern campground with 32 sites, 12 with electrical hookups. Camping permits are obtained through self-registration at the campground.

An enclosed shelter is available for rent from May 1 through October 15. The Stone lodge is used for picnics, receptions, and family reunions. The lodge contains a refrigerator, stove, and modern restrooms. Reservations can be made by contacting the park ranger at 255-4698.

Stone Park has over ten miles of recreational trails. Trail users can explore the park in all seasons. Hiking and cross-country skiing are permitted on all designated trails. Horse and bike riding are allowed on multi-use trails. Snowmobiling is permitted on multi-use trails and unplowed roadways.

The Carolyn Benne Nature Trail offers opportunities for visitors to learn more about the natural communities of the park using the attractive trail brochure available at the trailhead.

All persons are entitled to full and equal enjoyment of the recreational opportunities, privileges and advantages available in Iowa's great outdoors.

The restroom at Rickett's Glen is accessible to mobility-impaired persons.

Located adjacent to Southwood Conservation Area, this 108 acre area is a perfect spot for a picnic, or a walk through the woods.

This river access along the Little Sioux River provides for fishing and canoe access. It is located three miles northeast of Smithland.

This area comprises 25-acres of river bottom timber across the river from Little Sioux Park. This wildlife area has limited access by river but provides excellent habitat for deer and other wildlife.

Encompassing more than 765 acres of public land in the hills adjacent to the Little Sioux River Valley, Oak Ridge has three access areas between Oto and Smithland. This natural, undeveloped area is available for hiking and public hunting.

This 320-acre parcel near the abandoned town of Owego, is the first Wetland Reserve Program project in the county. The area has been diked to retain water and seeded with a mixture of native grasses and forbs. Some deeper pond areas were excavated and shrub areas and food plots planted. The wet spring quickly turned the area into a "wetland" teeming with wildlife. This wildlife area is great for hunting and waterfowl viewing.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working to get farmers enrolled into the federal Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) which pays landowners to remove wetland acres from crop production and return them to wetland vegetation.

NRCS has received requests from other landowners to offer their property into the WRP program. Federal funding levels cannot begin to cover land offered, and offers accepted are based on a rating and scoring system. Woodbury County NRCS is working to develop a partnership of conservation agencies to provide matching dollars that will enhance the scoring potential for local projects. Owego Wetland may continue to grow in size because of this program.

Riverside Bluffs is Loess Hills prairie area in Sioux City. The area was acquired in 1992 with assistance from the Woodbury County Conservation Foundation and a Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Grant. The 135-acre preserve is divided into two sections on either side of West 19th Street between Military Road and Riverside Park in west Sioux City. Access is gained through Kirk Hansen Park or the trail head located on West 19th Street.

Many birds, mammals, reptiles and insects make the Riverside Bluffs their home. Rare or habitat-restricted butterflies in the area include the Ottoe skipper, regal fritillary, Pawnee skipper, and dusted skipper.

The area is restricted to foot traffic only.

Shagbark Hills was acquired in 1976 for wildlife habitat. The area contains a native stand of shagbark hickory trees unique to the area. The undeveloped 379-acre area is located one-half mile south of Correctionville and is open for hiking and public hunting.

The Sioux City Prairie is a native Loess Hills prairie located within Sioux City. The 150-acre tract was purchased by the Iowa Nature Conservancy through voluntary donations in 1983. Over 100 species of native plants have been identified; and various forms of wildlife inhabit the preserve.

The Sioux City Prairie is a preserve: no picking or collecting is allowed. Hiking trails are open at all times for visitors on foot. No horses, bicycles, snowmobiles, vehicles, or ATV's are allowed.

The prairie is located adjacent to Briar Cliff College. Walk-in entrance gates are found on the west end of the property via Talbot Road, and the east end from 30th Street or Briar Cliff College.

Located one mile southwest of Smithland, this area highlights some of the Loess Hills' open grassland and timbered areas. Two ponds located in the park are stocked with bluegill, channel catfish and largemouth bass. Electric motors may be used in the ponds.

Trails of the area take the visitor through a variety of habitats. A self-guided nature trail brochure is available at the trail head. Numerous bluebird boxes have been erected in the area and visitors may catch a glimpse of the brilliant, blue birds.

Park facilities are open May 1 through October 31. The park office phone number is 712-889-2215.

Another access to the Little Sioux River, Walling Access is located one mile north of Correctionville.

This area is a boat ramp access to the Missouri River. It is located five miles southwest of Sergeant Bluff. The area comprises fifteen acres which is owned by the state, but managed by the conservation board.

This 5.5 acre parcel is a natural, undeveloped area located 1 mile north of Sergeant Bluff. There is no access to this area.

For more information on any of these park areas, refer to a "Discover Woodbury County's Park and Recreation Areas" brochure.

This 121-acre wildlife area is located three miles south of Salix. This undeveloped area has a vehicle access and is mainly used for public hunting.