Fayette County Conservation Board
Main Office:
Wildwood Nature Center
18673 Lane Road
Fayette, Iowa 52142
563-422-5146
563-425-3613
fayetteccb@hawkeyetel.com
Environmental Educational Program Headquarters:
gncfccb@alpinecom.net
Web Page Link: Gilbertson Conservation Education Area
Staff:
Rod Marlatt, Executive Director
Lonnie Robbins, Maintenance Supervisor
Dustin Schott, Park Ranger
Matt Ellis, Park Ranger - Gilbertson Conservation Education Area
Dawn L. Amundson, Environmental Education Coordinator
Sue Lueder, Office Manager/Naturalist
Jon Steege, Roadside Vegetation Manager
Jon Saboe, Assistant Roadside Vegetation Manager
Dan Harrington, Assistant Roadside Vegetation Manager
Board Members:
Frank Olson, West Union
Donald Bunn, Maynard
Blake Gamm, Fayette
Jack Swanson, Arlington
Eric Boehm, Wadena
Main Office:
Wildwood Nature Center
18673 Lane Road
Fayette, Iowa 52142
563-422-5146
563-425-3613
fayetteccb@hawkeyetel.com
Environmental Educational Program Headquarters:
gncfccb@alpinecom.net
Web Page Link: Gilbertson Conservation Education Area
Staff:
Rod Marlatt, Executive Director
Lonnie Robbins, Maintenance Supervisor
Dustin Schott, Park Ranger
Matt Ellis, Park Ranger - Gilbertson Conservation Education Area
Dawn L. Amundson, Environmental Education Coordinator
Sue Lueder, Office Manager/Naturalist
Jon Steege, Roadside Vegetation Manager
Jon Saboe, Assistant Roadside Vegetation Manager
Dan Harrington, Assistant Roadside Vegetation Manager
Board Members:
Frank Olson, West Union
Donald Bunn, Maynard
Blake Gamm, Fayette
Jack Swanson, Arlington
Eric Boehm, Wadena
Map of Fayette County Conservation Board Recreational Area's
1. WILDWOOD NATURE CENTER - 18673 Lane Road
A seven acre area located four miles north of Fayette on State Highway 150 or Lincoln Road, then one mile west on county road C14 or 190 Street, and
then turn left onto Lane Road. This area features a live animal and raptor exhibit, housing Iowa mammals and birds of prey, including a bald eagle. The
nature center contains a variety of displays and an extensive collection of mounted native animals and birds. A staff naturalist is on hand to welcome
visitors and field questions. Wildwood Nature Center is also the main office of the Fayette County Conservation Board, the location of the County Parks
Program, and the Roadside Management Program. Public restrooms and drinking water are available at this location
2. TWIN BRIDGES PARK - 13112 "O" Ave and 14650 130 Street
Consisting of seventeen and one-half acres, the park is located on paved county road W 25, or Neon Road, three miles north of Maynard at the
confluence of the south and west branches of the Volga River. The stream is shallow with bed rock bottom, ideal for fishing. This area also contains a
shelter house, play ground, a primitive camping area, and pit toilets.
3. GILBERTSON CONSERVATION EDUCATION AREA - 1810 Agate Road (Main Camp Ground)
The Gilbertson Conservation Education Area is a three hundred and forty-five-acre park located along the banks of the Turkey River on the East Side of
Elgin. This beautiful area is lined with streams and bottom lands surrounded by the palisade limestone bluffs for which Northeast Iowa is so famous. The
late Millard Gilbertson of Elgin donated the original three hundred and twenty-seven area to the Fayette County Conservation Board in 1986.
This unique area offers something for everyone with a canoe access, paved 1/4 mile trail that is wheelchair accessible, a playground, a shelter house, a
modern campground with dump station, sinks, showers, flush toilets, 28 electrical hook up sites, and 8 primitive camping sites. There are over 5 miles of
trails for hikers, non-motorized bikes, horseback riders, and in the wintertime--cross-country skiing. Vistitors can hunt, fish, or enjoy bird watching.
There is a petting zoo open to the public from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, Wednesdays - Sunday, 11 AM - 7 PM, or by appointment May 1 to
Labor Day. There is also the Gilbertson Nature Center featuring interpretive and educational displays about Northeast Iowa, the Mavis and Conner
Dummermuth Historical Building containing farm and home antiques and memorabilia, and the Hart Dummermuth Historical Home, depicting a farm home
from 1890 - 1920. These buildings are open to the public from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, Wednesday - Sunday, 11 AM - 7 PM or by
appointment.
4. ECHO VALLEY STATE PARK and GLOVERS CREEK FISHING AND WILDLIFE AREA - 9680 Echo Valley Road (Glover's Creek Access) and
9672 Echo Valley Road (Otter Creek Access)
Echo Valley is a one hundred-acre natural area, which was built by the Civilian Conservation corps in the 1930’s. The park contains many hand-built
historical structures such as a dam, keystone archway, lime kiln, and shelter house. The Dick Jensen Trail and other hiking trails lead through this
historical park. The area is located two miles east of West Union on Echo Valley Road, or go north of West Union on State Highway No. 56, or Filmore
Road, turn onto Imperial Road, and then left onto Echo Valley Road. Drive until you come to the park entrance. The park also provides visitors with
picnicking areas, primitive camping, bird watching, and trout fishing in two separate streams.
Glovers Creek Fishing and Wildlife Area is a 187 acre parcel of land located right next to Echo Valley State Park (accessible though the Glover’s Creek
side of Echo Valley). The Glovers Creek Fishing and Wildlife Area is open for public fishing and hunting, except when the road is impassable due to
weather conditions.
5. GOEKEN PARK - 28191 Lincoln Road/Highway 150
The park is located five miles north of West Union on U.S. Highway 150, or Lincoln Road. It is a roadside park on six and one-half acres of highway right-
of-way. The attractable feature of the park is the beautiful panoramic view of many miles of the Turkey River Valley. Four towns, in addition to the
picturesque view of the village of Eldorado, can be seen from this point. It is said the most photograghed view in Iowa. This area contains one electrical
hook up camping area and many non-electrical hook up camping areas. The park also has two shelter houses, a playground, pit toilets and water.
6. GOULDSBURG PARK - 18649 Sunset Road
This park is located five miles north of Hawkeye on County Road W14, or Rose Road, or three miles north of the intersection of U.S. Highway 18, or 230
Street, and county road W14, or Rose Road. Turn onto Sunset Road and follow it until you come to the park on your left hand side. The park consists of
sixty-four acres at the confluence of the Little Turkey River and Crane Creek. These streams provide good fishing, tubing, and canoeing. The
topography is rolling to hilly with desirable picnicking places and a modern campground with a dump station, showers, flush toilets and 26 electrical hook
up sites. The park also contains pit toilets, primitive camp sites, a playground, shelter house, hiking trails, and bird watching.
7. THELMAN WILDLIFE AREA - County Road Access on V-68/W Ave and V Ave
This three hundred acre public hunting area features native grass plantings, a wetland, timber, and crop ground for wildlife to grow and prosper. Located
just off State Highway 18, or 230 Street, on State Road 193, or W Ave.
8. DUTTON’S CAVE PARK - 25218 Ironwood Road (Camp Ground Access) and 9082 25th Street (Shelter House Access)
The park is located two and one-half miles northeast of West Union on U.S. Highway 18, or Harding Road, and one-half mile north on Ironwood Road. It
contains forty-six acres and has a heavily timbered, deep ravine ending in a fifty foot vertical limestone wall directly above the cave opening. The cave
was discovered in 1848 by Lorenzo Dutton and was explored for several hundred feet. The explorable portion of the cave has been reduced over the
years due to the siltation of the cave floor. The park also contains two electrical hook up camping sites and several non-electrical hook up sites, a shelter
house, a hiking trail, water, and pit toilets. The park is also a wonderful place to view spring wildflowers and to bird watch.
9. DOWNING PARK - 23008 78th Street
The park is located two miles north of State Highway 3, or 60th Street. Then turn onto on county road V68, or W Avenue. It is a quiet picnic area
consisting of forty acres of approximately 80% virgin bur oak timber. The park also offers a shelter house, playground, and pit toilets. This is another
great birdwatching park.
10. VALLEY CANOE ACCESS - 3306 Diamond Road
This three acre access features not only access to the Turkey River but also a beautiful native plant area. The access is located between Clermont and
Elgin-- turn off county road W51, or Canoe Road, onto Diamond Road. The access is on the right hand side.
A seven acre area located four miles north of Fayette on State Highway 150 or Lincoln Road, then one mile west on county road C14 or 190 Street, and
then turn left onto Lane Road. This area features a live animal and raptor exhibit, housing Iowa mammals and birds of prey, including a bald eagle. The
nature center contains a variety of displays and an extensive collection of mounted native animals and birds. A staff naturalist is on hand to welcome
visitors and field questions. Wildwood Nature Center is also the main office of the Fayette County Conservation Board, the location of the County Parks
Program, and the Roadside Management Program. Public restrooms and drinking water are available at this location
2. TWIN BRIDGES PARK - 13112 "O" Ave and 14650 130 Street
Consisting of seventeen and one-half acres, the park is located on paved county road W 25, or Neon Road, three miles north of Maynard at the
confluence of the south and west branches of the Volga River. The stream is shallow with bed rock bottom, ideal for fishing. This area also contains a
shelter house, play ground, a primitive camping area, and pit toilets.
3. GILBERTSON CONSERVATION EDUCATION AREA - 1810 Agate Road (Main Camp Ground)
The Gilbertson Conservation Education Area is a three hundred and forty-five-acre park located along the banks of the Turkey River on the East Side of
Elgin. This beautiful area is lined with streams and bottom lands surrounded by the palisade limestone bluffs for which Northeast Iowa is so famous. The
late Millard Gilbertson of Elgin donated the original three hundred and twenty-seven area to the Fayette County Conservation Board in 1986.
This unique area offers something for everyone with a canoe access, paved 1/4 mile trail that is wheelchair accessible, a playground, a shelter house, a
modern campground with dump station, sinks, showers, flush toilets, 28 electrical hook up sites, and 8 primitive camping sites. There are over 5 miles of
trails for hikers, non-motorized bikes, horseback riders, and in the wintertime--cross-country skiing. Vistitors can hunt, fish, or enjoy bird watching.
There is a petting zoo open to the public from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, Wednesdays - Sunday, 11 AM - 7 PM, or by appointment May 1 to
Labor Day. There is also the Gilbertson Nature Center featuring interpretive and educational displays about Northeast Iowa, the Mavis and Conner
Dummermuth Historical Building containing farm and home antiques and memorabilia, and the Hart Dummermuth Historical Home, depicting a farm home
from 1890 - 1920. These buildings are open to the public from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, Wednesday - Sunday, 11 AM - 7 PM or by
appointment.
4. ECHO VALLEY STATE PARK and GLOVERS CREEK FISHING AND WILDLIFE AREA - 9680 Echo Valley Road (Glover's Creek Access) and
9672 Echo Valley Road (Otter Creek Access)
Echo Valley is a one hundred-acre natural area, which was built by the Civilian Conservation corps in the 1930’s. The park contains many hand-built
historical structures such as a dam, keystone archway, lime kiln, and shelter house. The Dick Jensen Trail and other hiking trails lead through this
historical park. The area is located two miles east of West Union on Echo Valley Road, or go north of West Union on State Highway No. 56, or Filmore
Road, turn onto Imperial Road, and then left onto Echo Valley Road. Drive until you come to the park entrance. The park also provides visitors with
picnicking areas, primitive camping, bird watching, and trout fishing in two separate streams.
Glovers Creek Fishing and Wildlife Area is a 187 acre parcel of land located right next to Echo Valley State Park (accessible though the Glover’s Creek
side of Echo Valley). The Glovers Creek Fishing and Wildlife Area is open for public fishing and hunting, except when the road is impassable due to
weather conditions.
5. GOEKEN PARK - 28191 Lincoln Road/Highway 150
The park is located five miles north of West Union on U.S. Highway 150, or Lincoln Road. It is a roadside park on six and one-half acres of highway right-
of-way. The attractable feature of the park is the beautiful panoramic view of many miles of the Turkey River Valley. Four towns, in addition to the
picturesque view of the village of Eldorado, can be seen from this point. It is said the most photograghed view in Iowa. This area contains one electrical
hook up camping area and many non-electrical hook up camping areas. The park also has two shelter houses, a playground, pit toilets and water.
6. GOULDSBURG PARK - 18649 Sunset Road
This park is located five miles north of Hawkeye on County Road W14, or Rose Road, or three miles north of the intersection of U.S. Highway 18, or 230
Street, and county road W14, or Rose Road. Turn onto Sunset Road and follow it until you come to the park on your left hand side. The park consists of
sixty-four acres at the confluence of the Little Turkey River and Crane Creek. These streams provide good fishing, tubing, and canoeing. The
topography is rolling to hilly with desirable picnicking places and a modern campground with a dump station, showers, flush toilets and 26 electrical hook
up sites. The park also contains pit toilets, primitive camp sites, a playground, shelter house, hiking trails, and bird watching.
7. THELMAN WILDLIFE AREA - County Road Access on V-68/W Ave and V Ave
This three hundred acre public hunting area features native grass plantings, a wetland, timber, and crop ground for wildlife to grow and prosper. Located
just off State Highway 18, or 230 Street, on State Road 193, or W Ave.
8. DUTTON’S CAVE PARK - 25218 Ironwood Road (Camp Ground Access) and 9082 25th Street (Shelter House Access)
The park is located two and one-half miles northeast of West Union on U.S. Highway 18, or Harding Road, and one-half mile north on Ironwood Road. It
contains forty-six acres and has a heavily timbered, deep ravine ending in a fifty foot vertical limestone wall directly above the cave opening. The cave
was discovered in 1848 by Lorenzo Dutton and was explored for several hundred feet. The explorable portion of the cave has been reduced over the
years due to the siltation of the cave floor. The park also contains two electrical hook up camping sites and several non-electrical hook up sites, a shelter
house, a hiking trail, water, and pit toilets. The park is also a wonderful place to view spring wildflowers and to bird watch.
9. DOWNING PARK - 23008 78th Street
The park is located two miles north of State Highway 3, or 60th Street. Then turn onto on county road V68, or W Avenue. It is a quiet picnic area
consisting of forty acres of approximately 80% virgin bur oak timber. The park also offers a shelter house, playground, and pit toilets. This is another
great birdwatching park.
10. VALLEY CANOE ACCESS - 3306 Diamond Road
This three acre access features not only access to the Turkey River but also a beautiful native plant area. The access is located between Clermont and
Elgin-- turn off county road W51, or Canoe Road, onto Diamond Road. The access is on the right hand side.
| Gilbertson Campground Bathhouse |
| Gilbertson Nature Center |
| Echo Valley Shelter House |
| EVENT Trail, formally the Jensen Trail |
| Goeken Park - Overlook View |
| Dutton's Cave Opening |
The Fayette County Conservation Board Program is divided into four separate but related areas: a county park system, an environmental education program, a wildlife management program, and a roadside management program. The parks system involves the maintenance, management and development of seven parks, river access's, and wildlife area's. These area's provide facilities for outdoor recreation for the residents of Fayette County and others from all over. Wildwood Nature Center and Gilbertson Nature Center serve as the headquarters for our educational program. Through school programs, general public programs, and other programs with youth and civic groups, the county naturalists hope to educated the citizens of Fayette County about their natural world around them. For more information about the Environmental Education Program contact the Gilbertson Nature Center.
with the cooperation of local landowners.
responsible for the of noxious weeds, reestablishment of native prairie species where possible and the removal of brush where needed.
or attend a board meeting. The Conservation Board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Wildwood Nature Center. |
Welcome to Fayette County, Iowa!
The official web site of Fayette County Government.
Published by the Fayette County Supervisors.
The official web site of Fayette County Government.
Published by the Fayette County Supervisors.
 |
Gilbertson Nature Center
22850 A Ave
Elgin, Iowa 52141
563-426-5740
22850 A Ave
Elgin, Iowa 52141
563-426-5740