Increases will allow for improvements and promotion of lesser-visited parks
Kelsy Wehrmeyer (right) of Atalissa prepares fishing rods Friday for an outing with her son, Kace, 10, as they camp with family at the north campground at Lake Macbride State Park near Solon. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Reservation tags are attached to posts Friday at the north campground at Lake Macbride State Park near Solon. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Brain Wehrmeyer of Conesville unfolds a large patio mat Friday as he sets up his camper for he and his wife, Deanna, as they camp with family at the north campground at Lake Macbride State Park near Solon. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Kick off the New Year with a healthy fun activity by joining one of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) First Day Hike Challenges. Although COVID-19 has nixed the DNR’s traditional guided hikes, everyone is encouraged to join through the digital State Park Passport. Challenge participants can check into any of the more than 50 participating locations on the passport from Friday, Jan. 1 through Sunday, Jan. 3. Check into as many parks as you wish because every check-in qualifies that individual for one entry into a prize drawing for a two-night stay at a two-bedroom cabin at Lake Darling State Park, near Brighton. (Restrictions will apply on the cabin stay, with reservation fees and other business rules applying.) Also, the passport offers trail suggestions, directions from park staff and more under the “More Info” tab. Participating parks in our region include: Blackhawk State Park in Lake View; Springbrook State Park near Guthrie Center; and Prairie Rose State Park