Parks

For a complete listing of parks and what they offer, see this matrix. 

Dinesen Prairie Wildlife Area
3 MILES NORTHEAST OF HARLAN
One of only a few virgin prairies in Iowa

Elk Horn Recreation Area
2 ½ MILES SOUTHWEST OF ELK HORN
Camping, electricity, water, picnicking, hiking trails, fishing, bow hunting, winter sports, toilets and handicapped facilities.

Manteno Park
8 MILES NORTHWEST OF DEFIANCE
Camping, electricity, water, sewage dump station, showers, picnicking, hiking trails, fishing, boating, winter sports, toilets and handicapped facilities

Nielsen RV Park
6 MILES NORTH OF HARLAN
Camping, electricity, water, sewage dump station, showers, picnicking, handicapped facilities, toilets and swimming.

Nishna Bend Recreation Area
7 MILES SOUTH OF HARLAN
This 80 acre area contains over 30 acres of wetland created from past mining operations and is located southeast of Corley.  The ponds contain bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill and bullhead to delight any angler. Features include hiking trail, a river access, and arboretum, a planting of tall grass and short grass prairie with many species of wildflowers, nature learning center, shelter house and handicapped accessible fishing pier. The main office of the Conservation Board and Roadside Management Department are also located here.  The Board is developing this area for it’s water resources and wildlife value, and is the focus of the county’s learning program.

Oak Ridge Wildlife Area
6 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HARLAN
Oak Ridge Habitat Area is approx. 94 acres of timber and prairie.  This is a public hunting area that is managed for wildlife habitat.  Also has hiking trails.

Prairie Rose State Park
7 MILES SOUTHEAST OF HARLAN
This 218 acre lake with 422 acres of park area features camping, electricity, water, sewage dump station, showers, picnicking, hiking trails, fishing, boating, winter sports, handicapped facilities and a swimming beach.

Reinig River Access
2 MILES NORTHEAST OF HARLAN
Hiking trails hunting, toilets and winter sports.

Rosenow Timber
5 MILES NORTHWEST OF EARLING
Hiking trails, hunting, toilets and winter sports.

Rosman Glendale Farm Recreation Area
6 MILES NORTH OF HARLAN
Camping, electricity, water, fishing, hunting, toilets and handicapped facilities.

Schimerowski Recreation Area
¼ MILE EAST OF EARLING
Camping, electricity, water, picnicking, hunting, toilets and handicapped facilities.

Upper ‘nish’ Habitat Area
1 MILE NORTHEAST OF IRWIN
Hiking trails, fishing and hunting.