Celebrate the arrival of spring and join us for Free Day at the Parks on Saturday, April 26th. This popular tradition, held during Earth Day week, is a great opportunity to explore the natural beauty of our county parks with your friends and family!
On April 26th, visitors can enjoy free entry at all Pottawattamie Conservation parks. Additionally, if you purchase an annual park membership at a park pay station (cash or check only) or at Hitchcock Nature Center's Loess Hill Lodge (card payment accepted), you will receive a certificate for one free night of camping. This certificate, valid for tent or RV/full hook-up camping at Arrowhead Park, Botna Bend Park, or Hitchcock Nature Center, will be mailed to you along with your membership permit.
Please note: while park entry is free on April 26th, other park fees, including camping fees, will remain in effect.
Arrowhead Park
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Features: 17-acre fishing lake, canoe and paddleboard rental, playground, sand volleyball court, hiking trails, camping (tent, RV, modern and camping cabins)
Botna Bend Park
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Features: Bison and elk herds, West Nishnabotna River Water Trail access and views, hiking trails, tent and RV camping, archery range, disc golf, sand volleyball court, playground
Hitchcock Nature Center
Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Features: scenic views of the Loess Hills, Loess Hills Lodge gallery and exhibit, hiking trails, archery, tent and RV camping, camping cabins, playground, geocaching, earthcaching, observation deck, HawkWatch tower
Narrows River Park
Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Features: Views of the Missouri River, boat access, playground, archery range, access to the Iowa Riverfront Trail, native garden
Olde Town Park
Features: West Nishnabotna River Water Trail access and views, playground, primitive camping
For more information, visit Pottawattamie Conservation's website. Happy Earth Day!
The Fun Doesn't Stop There! Join the Litter Busters Park Cleanup Party!
Grab your gloves and your sense of adventure—it's time to tidy up the trails at Hitchcock Nature Center and Crescent Hill! From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26th, Pottawattamie Conservation is throwing a cleanup bash in honor of the legendary Dump Busters, the fearless crew of local heroes who, way back in the wild '80s, stopped Hitchcock from turning into a landfill. (Cue the heroic theme music.)
Swing by Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock or the ski lodge at Crescent Hill anytime during the event to gear up with cleanup supplies. Once you're all set, head out into the great outdoors, make the world a little cleaner, then circle back to the lodge to weigh and report your trash treasure haul.
Last year, amazing volunteers collected over 60 pounds of litter—that’s the weight of a golden retriever! Let's see if we can beat that this time. Come for the cause, stay for the good vibes, and leave with the satisfaction of saving the planet—one soda can at a time.
