NATIONS BRIDGE PARK:
This 81-acre park is located 5 miles north of Stuart or 8 miles south of Panora on Highway P28. Nations Bridge Park offers picnicking, 2 shelter houses, self-guided nature trails, fishing, playground equipment, and camping -- with electricity, water, toilets, showers, and a dump station. Also, facilities for scouts, clubs, and organizations are available. Nations Bridge Park is a popular area for all ages and an excellent spot for catfishing along the South Raccoon River. The Park Ranger's residence is on site. Office phone is 515.523.1789. [More Information]
GUTHRIE COUNTY HISTORICAL VILLAGE:
Started in 1968, the Historical Village has developed into a complex of 10 buildings -- a log cabin, country school, outhouse, church, implement exhibit hall (featuring a coal mine display), general store, blacksmith, newspaper office, antique exhibit hall, and depot -- and caboose located on 4.5 beautiful acres near Lenon Mill Park on the southwest edge of Panora. [More Information]
LENON MILL PARK:
Nestled by the banks of the Middle Raccoon River you'll find the original site of the old Lenon Mill that was built in 1863. First built as a woolen mill, it was changed to a flour mill in 1877. One remaining grinding stone stands in the spot of the old historic mill. Lenon Mill Park is available for camping (including an RV hook-up, water, bathrooms, and a shelter house), has an access for canoes on the Middle Raccoon River, has excellent fishing. Species of fish commonly caught at Lenon Mill Park include Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Walleye, Channel Catfish and an occasional Northern Pike.
S.E. ROBINSON WILDLIFE AREA:
S.E. Robinson is a 110-acre wildlife area located along the Middle Raccoon River 5.5 miles southeast of Panora. The wildlife area is primarily used for public hunting with excellent habitat for deer, turkeys, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, pheasants, and quail. S.E.Robinson is also a nice area for hikers and birdwatchers.
MIDDLE RACCOON RIVER ACCESS:
This is the third access on the Middle Raccoon River located 5 miles southeast of Panora and Lenon Mill Park access.
SEELY CREEK TIMBER:
Seely Creek Timber consists of 187 acres of rolling oak-hickory timber. It is located 6 miles west & 1 mile south of Guthrie Center. Seely Creek Timber is land-locked so permission must be acquired to get access to the area. The area offers excellent deer, turkey, and squirrel hunting.
SUTCLIFFE WOODLAND AREA:
Sutcliffe Woodland is a beautiful 55-acre oak-hickory area designated as a wildlife refuge. It offers a 31-post self-guided interpretive nature trail available for the public & school groups, as well as picnicking, hiking, & pond fishing. Sutcliffe Woodland is located 7 miles west and 1.5 miles south of Guthrie Center (follow the road signs).
BUNDT PRAIRIE:
Just 3 small acres remain of an original native prairie that has never seen the plow. Located where a 1-room country school originally sat, the prairie is located 3 miles north and 1/4 mile east of Guthrie Center. A variety of native prairie grasses and flowers inhabit this site.
RACCOON RIVER VALLEY TRAIL:
The Raccoon River Valley Trail is a 56-mile multi-use recreational trail that extends from Clive, in the Des Moines metropolitan area, to Jefferson. The trail is built on a former Milwaukee RR track now owned by the Dallas, Guthrie, and Greene County Conservation Boards. The trail winds its way through the Middle and North Raccoon River corridors with area of prairie and canopies of timber that remind us of what Iowa was like in the 1870s. Common uses are hiking, biking, in-line skating, jogging, bird watching, or cross-country skiing in the winter. [More Information]
MONTEITH WILDLIFE AREA:
Monteith Wildlife Area is located 3.5 miles south and one mile east of Guthrie Center. The Monteith Wildlife Area, which is 240 acres, is a public hunting area with excellent habitat for upland game species, whitetail deer, and wild turkey.
GREENWOOD CEMETERY PRAIRIE:
Sitting next to one of the older cemeteries (mid-1800s) in Guthrie County, the prairie is located 1 mile east of Panora and 1/2 miles south. A variety of native prairie grasses and forbs inhabit this spectacular site.
JAMAICA TRAIL SPUR:
The Jamaica Trail Spur consists of 43 acres of the abandoned Milwaukee Railroad from Herndon, Iowa, to the Guthrie/Dallas County line. The area is primarily used for public hunting with excellent upland bird habitat.
HIGHWAY 141 - MIDDLE RACCOON RIVER ACCESS:
Newest river access added in the Summer of 2004. Located on the east side of Coon Rapids along Hwy 141.
BENNY HALL WILDLIFE AREA:
The area is named after the late Bennie Hall, an avid trapper and hunter from Guthrie County. Mr. Hall left his estate to the Prairie Woodland Conservation Foundation to be used for conservation purposes. The 220-acre area lies adjacent to existing public land and created a 517-acre wildlife habitat complex. The area’s primary use will be to serve as a wildlife habitat for game and non-game species. Hunting, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking will be the primary activities in the area.
SPRINGBROOK STATE PARK:
This area is located 8 miles north of Guthrie Center on Hwy 25. The area includes 763 acres of parkland and a 14-acre lake. Camping, picnicking and swimming are just some of the activities available.
CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTER:
The education center is designed to facilitate and enhance the education of teachers, students, conservation personnel, community leaders, and other individuals or groups in the practice of conservation and resource use.
ELK GROVE WILDLIFE AREA:
This 1600-acre wildlife area is located in northwest Guthrie County. The area consists primarily of timber and is excellent for deer and turkey hunting.
LENON MILL WILDLIFE AREA:
This 1236-acre complex is south of Panora on the Middle Raccoon River. (Lenon Mill 351 ac., South CEICO Tract 537 ac., Trent Tract 238 ac., and Donahey Tract 110 ac.
BAYS BRANCH WILDLIFE AREA:
This 990-acre state wildlife area (includes Winter 160 ac. & Cox Tracts 40 ac.) offers excellent waterfowl and upland bird hunting and viewing. The area is located 2 miles north and 2 miles east of Panora.
LAKIN SLOUGH:
This 345-acre state wildlife area is located 2 miles east of Yale. The cattail marsh is used primarily by waterfowl hunters.
MCCORD POND:
McCord Pond is lcoated 2 miles southwest of Bayard and contains 112 acres of wetland and upland habitat primarily used for hunting.
MARLOWE RAY WILDLIFE AREA:
This state wildlife area is located 6 miles south-east of Panora along the Middle Raccoon River. The heavily-timbered area totals 187 acres and is a public hunting area. It adjoins S.E. Robinson Wildlife area.
COWLES RIVER ACCESS:
This is the 4th access on the Middle Raccoon River 8.5 miles southeast of Panora and Lenon Mill Park access.
P28 RIVER ACCESS:
This is the 2nd access on the Middle Raccoon River 1.5 miles south of Panora along Hwy P28.
SHEEDER PRAIRIE:
This virgin prairie totals 25 acres and is located 4 miles west and 1 mile north of Guthrie Center.
