Parks & Wildlife Areas

Lake Pahoja

Lake Pahoja Recreation Area is a 300 acre highly developed multi-use recreation area. It offers a wide variety of activities for all seasons.

Park Features

• Boating & fishing
• Swimming beach
• Rental cabins
• 6 open picnic shelters
• Trails
  • A 4-mile hard surface trail encircles the lake for nature and exercise enthusiasts
• 3 playgrounds
• 3 volleyball courts
• 2 enclosed lodges
  • Each containing 4-6 picnic tables, a fireplace, and outdoor pedestal grills
• Basketball court
• Modern restroom facilities
• Drinking water

All of our facilities are handicap accessible.

At the northeast end of the lake, there is a 350' x 100' swimming beach and an adjoining restroom for those interested in a little sun and fun!

Supplies and concessions are available at the Entrance Booth. Thirty percent of all Pahoja sales will be placed in a trust account to assist in funding capital projects at the park.

Park Facts

• Land Area: 228 Acres
• Total Area: 300 Acres
• Watershed Area: 3940 Acres
• Normal Pool: 71.5 Acres
• Flood Pool: 110 Acres
• Shoreline Miles (Normal Pool): 2 Miles
• Dam Type: Earthen Dam
• Dam Height/Length: 50 Feet x 1/4 Mile
• Maximum Depth: 35 Feet

Blankespoor Wildlife Area

Located 2 miles south and 5 miles west of Inwood, this is paradise in an agricultural-dominated area. These 160 acres of timber, prairie, and farm ponds allow people to immerse themselves in nature and the actives that it offers. This area offers upland and forest hunting opportunities as well as fishing and hiking trails.

Park Features

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Hiking Trail

Boersma Wildlife Area

Found 1 mile north and 3 miles east of Doon right off of highway 75, the Boersma area is made up of 62 acres of varying habitats. This area offers a great place for both hunting and fishing featuring both natural prairie and woodland areas.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing

Boon Ranch Wildlife Area

Located 4.5 miles north of Rock Rapids, this 215-acre area is comprised of many different habitats and ecosystems which allows for new discoveries with every visit. The Rock River flows through this area providing a good fishing site as well as attracting various other wildlife species. Hiking trails and a canoe access point on this area. Whether it’s watching birds, or studying one of the little ponds, there is something for everyone on this site.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Hiking Trail
• Canoe Access Point

Doon Wildlife Area

This 145-acre area is located 2 miles north of Doon on K42. This area provides a nice fishing stream as well as hiking trails throughout the different habitats. Hunting in this area has increased due to food plots, restored prairie grasses, and timber areas creating opportunities for deer, turkey, and pheasants.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Hiking Trail

George Rural Water Area

This 160-acre area is located 1/2 mile east of George on A-34 (210th St.). George Rural Water Area consists of upland habitat, producing hunting opportunities for pheasant, deer, and doves.

Park Features:

• Hunting

Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area

Hidden Bridge Wildlife Area has it all, beautiful rolling hills of native tallgrass prairie grasses and flowers, fishing along the banks of the river, and areas of timber are all perfect for discovering a wide range of birds and other wildlife.

This area also provides in-season public hunting opportunities for pheasants, turkeys, and whitetail deer. Hidden Bridge is one of two wildlife areas where horses are permitted from mid-May to Mid-September. Please check with our office for exact dates.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Hiking trail
• Equestrian trail (seasonal)

Kanengieter Wildlife Area

This 30-acre area is located on 180th St. in Grant township section 20. Kanengieter Wildlife Area lies on both sides of the Little Rock River. It has upland habitat with the Little Rock River providing fishing habitat and waterfowl opportunities.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing

Klondike Area

This 1-acre area along the Big Sioux River is located 4 miles south and 5 miles west of Larchwood. This area is great for fishing and has a canoe access point and boat ramp on the South Dakota side.

Park Features:

• Boat Ramp
• Fishing
• Picnicking

Lakewood Corner Wildlife Area

Lakewood Corner is located 6 miles south of Rock Rapids along highway 75. This 5 acre area is a good spot for bird watching, fishing, and enjoying some of the natural beauty Iowa has to offer as well as access to the Big Rock River and upland hunting.

Park Features:

• Fishing

Lilylog Wildlife Area

Aproximately 42 acres located 1.5 miles west  of Little Rock on Hwy 9. This area offers fishing, hunting canoeing, and kayaking incliding a 16 acre pond bordering the Little Rock River.  

Park Features

• Hunting
• Fishing

Little Rock River Wildlife Area - Johansen

Found 1 mile west of Little Rock, this 72 acre area offers many outdoor recreational opportunities. There is both wetland and prairie areas that are excellent for hunting and bird watching along with a canoe access point to the Little Rock River.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing

Little Rock River Wildlife Area - North

Located 3 miles west and 2 miles south of Little Rock, this 155 acre area provides a array of oppor- tunities. This area includes a food plot, hillside prai- rie, and a shelterbelt that creates diverse hunting and fishing experience. As always, hunting is permit- ted within season.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing

Little Rock River Wildlife Area- Central

This 232 acre area is located 2.5 mile s east of George. This area is comprised of wetland and prai- rie habitats along the Little Rock River producing good fishing and hunting opportunities for the out- doorsman. This area also has a canoe access point for the Little Rock River.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing

Lyon County Nature Center

The Lyon County Nature Center is an environmental education building used for schools, civic groups, nursing/retirement homes, 4H, scouts, youth groups, daycares, and general public programs. It has viewing areas with various animal specimens (live and mounted), interactive displays, and artifacts. Through the Nature Center, we are now able to share our animals and artifacts with the public.

Memorial Day - Labor Day weekend                 (Off season)                                                                                                                    Mon    Closed                                                Closed                                                                                                                       Tue     10am - 4pm                                  10am - 4pm                                                                                                                   Wed    10am - 4pm                                  10am - 5:30pm                                                                                                               Thu     10am - 4pm                                  10am - 4pm                                                                                                                    Fri      10am - 4pm                                  10am - 2pm                                                                                                                   Sat      10am - 2pm                                  Open 2nd Saturday of the month 10am - 2pm                                                         Sun     10am - 2pm                                       Closed 

Peterson Prairie Wildlife Area

This 315-acre area is found 7 miles west and 2 miles south of Larchwood on Apple Avenue. The Peterson Prairie offers a great getaway for people of all outdoor interests. Whether is hiking down the trails, riding horses, or hunting this area has so much wildlife waiting to be discovered.

Park Features:

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Hiking Trails

Roemen-Stettnichs Nature Area

Located 2 miles west of Larchwood, this 5-acre area is managed as a wildlife habitat providing limited opportunities for hunting due to its size although hunting is al- lowed in season, It offers a nice area to get away and enjoy some natural species and bird watching. 

Park Features:

• Hiking Trail

Venenga Wildlife Area

Located 2 miles west of Little Rock, this 18-acre area was just added in 2008 after it was donated by the Venenga family. This is an upland, prairie hunting area.

Park Features:

• Hunting