McFarland Park is a 200-acre area on the northeast corner of Ames. The park offers visitors a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, and hammocking (available to borrow during business hours!). There is a bird blind, grills, a picnic shelter, and a natural playscape that make it an inviting place for families to enjoy.
The Story County Conservation Center is located at McFarland Park on the northeast corner of Ames. Hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30AM-4:30PM. Educational displays can be found throughout the building, live educational animals, as well as, a bird watching area. There is a unique meeting room available for rent to the public for events.
Peterson Park is a 200-acre park, divided into two areas (East and West), on the north side of Ames. This is an old mining area containing three gravel pits, a 31-acre lake, and both prairies and woodland areas. The park offers: a swimming beach (West Peterson), picnicking, bird watching, boating, hiking and equine trails, canoe access to the Skunk River, fishing and hunting.
Hickory Grove Park, a local favorite, is a large 445-acre multiple-use recreational area southwest of Colo containing a 98-acre lake. There is a modern campground with 43 sites and a shower house with flush toilets and hot water. A primitive campground with is on the south side of the lake. Multiple event lodges and shelters are available for rent. A beach, picnic sites with tables and grills, and hiking trails offer visitors a great place to recreate and enjoy nature. There is also a fish cleaning station and an archery range. Kayaks and paddle boards are available for rent at the beach during summer months.
Get outside and explore the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, a hidden gem winding right through the heart of central Iowa. This scenic 32-mile multi-use trail follows the old Milwaukee Railroad line from Slater to Melbourne, connecting small towns like Huxley, Cambridge, Maxwell, and Collins while offering big views of prairie, woodlands and rolling farmland. It is now paved for 21 miles between Slater and Collins.
Whether you’re into biking, walking, running, wildlife watching or even snowmobiling in the winter, this trail has something for you and it’s free to enjoy. You can hop on where the paved path meets the High Trestle Trail in Slater and ride east through charming trail towns, or take in the natural beauty and history along the way.
It’s more than a trail, it’s a community connector and a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning with friends, family or pups on leash. Come see why locals love it and find your favorite stretch!
This 37-acre outdoor space in Ames blends nature, learning, and healthy living in a way that’s easy to explore and hard not to love. Located near the ISU Research Park, it highlights conservation, water quality, sustainable practices, and community connection in a real-world setting.
Walk or bike the paved and natural trails as you move through restored prairie, wetlands, and stream areas, with educational features sprinkled throughout that make it great for kids, adults, and anyone who likes to learn while they wander. It’s perfect for a quick nature break or a longer, curiosity-led stroll.
With benches, picnic spots, and trail connections to the larger regional network, this is an ideal place to unplug, get moving, and enjoy the outdoors with friends, family, or a leashed pup. Low pressure, high reward.
Web
Phone
Address
Categories
[user_favorites]
