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Departments | Conservation | In the News | Enjoy the Outdoors - Campers will find a home in Cerro Gordo County - June 30, 2007

Enjoy the Outdoors

Campers will find a home in Cerro Gordo County

Article written by Cory Behr for the Globe Gazette, published on Saturday, June 30, 2007.

 

Camping is a popular summer activity that the entire family can enjoy. With the price of fuel affecting everyone, many people are looking for ways to recreate closer to home. The Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board provides multiple locations for people to do so.

 

The three main campgrounds are Wilkinson Park, Linn Grove Park, and Ingebretson Park. Each park offers its own unique recreation opportunities. Many users make it a point to visit all three locations each summer.

 

Each campground site has 30-amp and 20-amp electrical service available. Camping fees are $7 per night without electricity and $12 per night with electricity. Campsites are available on a "first-come, first serve" basis with no reservations. Quiet hours will be observed from 10:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. at all camp areas. These three campgrounds are open from the first weekend in May through the first weekend in October.

 

Wilkinson Park is located near Rock Falls. This 80-acre park has complete camping facilities; shower house, firewood, dump station, and water fill are all available at this 42-site campground. A covered bridge and a rare native prairie remnant are found in the park. This is also a popular fishing and canoe access point.

 

Linn Grove Park in Rockwell is located along Beaver Dam Creek and has 66 sites on 38 acres along with complete camping facilities. A public golf course, swimming pool, and tennis courts are all nearby. Fishing for sunfish, bullhead, carp, and small-mouth bass is a popular activity at this park.

 

Ingebretson Park in Thornton offers complete camping facilities for 23 site on 23 acres along a branch of Beaver Dam Creek just off Interstate 35. Stream fishing opportunities exist along with a new disc golf course installed this past spring. There is a kiosk with a course layout and scorecards in the picnic area.

 

In addition to the three campgrounds mentioned above, the Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board offers primitive camping locations for users as well. The Shellrock River Greenbelt Preserve, located on Yucca Avenue between 290th and 280th Streets, provides both primitive and equestrian camping opportunities year-round. Two small shelters, fire rings, pit toilets, and hitching posts are provided at this site. There is no charge for using this rustic campground. The campground is directly adjacent to the Shellrock RIver Greenbelt which provides 7.5 miles for hiking, biking, horse riding, and auto touring through 590 acres of woods, meadows, and ponds.

 

The Lime Creek Conservation Area (LCCA) has two sites for primitive camping. Cost is $1 per night and campers must register at the Cerro Gordo County Conservation office at the nature center Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Firewood will be provided at the campsite. LCCA is 440 acres of upland timber, open fields, restored prairie, floodplain forest, and limestone bluffs. There are nine miles of trails on the property open to biking, hiking, and horse riding.

 

The Cerro Gordo County Conservation Board provides many opportunities for camping and other outdoor recreation. Make it a "recreational experience close to home" and visit a campground or park this summer. For more information call 641-423-5309.

 

Cerro Gordo County Conservation Office