Linn County Conservation

10/15/2026

Attention Trail Users: Cedar Valley Nature Trail repair work taking place north of Linn and Benton County:

Black Hawk County Conservation is continuing with efforts to improve the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. Please be advised that contractors are expected to begin working on asphalt surface trail repairs between Weiden Road south to Washburn Road on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. To ensure public safety and smooth ex*****on of the work, this trail section will be closed until work is complete. This work is expected to take up to two weeks; however, weather conditions will dictate the duration.
Please avoid the closed areas and obey ALL trail closure signage. Do not bypass barricades, cones, or safety fencing, even if heavy machinery is not actively operating.

We apologize for the temporary inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to improve the safety and longevity of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail.

10/14/2026

It is definitely a changing of the seasons. The leaves are falling, the birds are migrating south. Another species starting their migration, but not quite as far, is the salamander. We spotted some tiger salamanders recently crossing the road near Linn County Conservation’s Palo Marsh and Linn Learning Farm near a wetland.

This amphibian spends most of its life underground in burrows and is rarely seen until, in the fall, they can suddenly seem to be everywhere, moving slowly across the landscape. They’re likely converging on wetlands where they will overwinter and then, in the spring, mate and lay egg masses before dispersing again into the landscape and going underground. Don’t be surprised if you see some other amphibians, such as frogs crossing the road during some of these wet fall days.

10/12/2026

Due to a favorable weather forecast, campgrounds at Wanatee, Pinicon Ridge, Morgan Creek, and Buffalo Creek Parks will remain open through October 19. Staff will then reassess if another extension will occur. This impacts reservable and first-come first served sites:
https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/1519/Camping

When temperatures start dipping into the 30's, campground water must be shut off, which typically leads to a decision to close the campgrounds until next April.

10/09/2026

Before you book our new reservable facility at Morgan Creek Park, you can discover more details remotely with a virtual walkthrough. More at our Pheasant Ridge Lodge reservation page:

Pheasant Ridge Lodge is an ADA accessible facility at Morgan Creek Park with 4,800 square feet of meeting space which...

10/07/2026

After two and a half years of construction, the Pinicon Ridge Park mountain biking trails are now complete! Last week, Backyard Trails finished the 5-mile+ loop singletrack that winds through the forests and bluffs of the Wapsipinicon River within the day use side of Pinicon Ridge Park. This sustainably built trail winds through aging mature native forest with towering oaks, fern covered hillsides, and stream crossings.

Start your epic adventure at multiple parking areas to access the trail either near the Mary Lundby Bridge or back in the forest near the group camps on the south side of the river. This singletrack trail offers opportunities for all skill levels with many fun alternative features such and “skinnys”, a slalom run, boardwalks, and more. For the more advanced riders who like to get tires in the air, a gravity park is connected to the singletrack just upslope from the group camp. It is packed with moderate to advanced level jumps, drops, berms and wood structures including a ride wall and large deck rollover into a signature jump.

This mountain bike experience is complimented by Pinicon Ridge Park campgrounds, restrooms, lodges, cabins, shelters and many other recreational opportunities within the park or floating the Wapsipinicon River, perfect for day trips or multi-day family vacations.
Fall weather is here, so come play in the forest with some of the best mountain biking and family recreation opportunities that this region has to offer at Pinicon Ridge Park.
https://www.linncountyiowa.gov/1898/Mountain-Bike-Trails

10/07/2026

The Pinicon Ridge Park mountain biking trails are now complete which includes a 5-mile single loop! Check out the Mountain Biking page at Linn County Conservation's website.

10/04/2026

Chipmunks are one of the busiest creatures on the landscape this time of year. We see them darting across the sidewalk frequently at Wickiup, scurrying around the playscape and under the bird feeders. They are busily accumulating food for the winter.
As a classic example of a winter napper – they will sleep through the periods of cold and wake during times when it warms. Occasionally they will wander out of their burrow even, if it’s an exceptionally warm stretch of winter. The hustle and bustle we see in September and October are due to their way of handling winter. They are storing away food for the future. They dig sleeping chambers, food storage areas and even restrooms in their burrows. When they wake mid-winter they can use the restroom, grab a snack or two – stretch their legs and go right back to sleep if that is what conditions call for. Enjoy watching them complete their tasks as they make their preparations!

09/30/2026

This fellow showed up around Wickiup Hill recently. We have no garden for it to raid, but it has acres of grasses and wildflowers to munch its way through. At this time of year, they need to eat plenty of food to store up fat to carry them through the winter. In late summer they need to eat plenty of food to store up fat to carry them through the winter. Their interest in gardens can sometimes leave gardeners disappointed when fruits and vegetables carefully grown for the dinner table become an unexpected meal for our furry friends.

Woodchuck is another of the names for these critters and they seem to enjoy living near humans. Generally, WE mean them no harm, so it makes life easy for them to live near us and away from any would-be predators. They do have a reputation for digging under concrete and causing potential issues with undermining foundations and similar structures. In nature, this propensity for digging is a benefit as the used dens are often taken over by a variety of other beasts in the future.

09/30/2026

09/29/2026

Join us for our upcoming events! There's something for everyone.
- Wild Edibles: Fall Edition - October 4
- First Tuesday Birding Hike Series - October 6
- Science for Squirts: Owl Prowl - October 7
- Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day - October 10
- Campfire Cooking Workshop - October 17
- Older. Wiser. Livelier. Seniors. Talk - October 19
- Wickiup Fall Fest - October 24
-Kayaking Session - October 25

Find out more and register:
https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Linn/Events