Bring your bike and enjoy our paved trail that leads from Fontana Nature Center into the nearby town of Hazleton. The trail is about 1 mile long.

The shallow waters of Koutny Pond give way to a few deep fishing holes that are easily reached by a boat with a small electric motor. This type of motor is the only one allowed at any county areas.

Sustainable Living Cabin Virtual Tour - Tour produced by Flight Spool 

 

A Unique Experience - Sustainable Living Cabins!
Visitors to Buchanan County’s signature park, Fontana, will be able to enjoy overnight comfort while being conscious of conservation and the environment. People can now click on the 'Facilities' tab to reserve a cabin! Fontana Park is located nine miles north of Independence or one mile south of Hazleton, off Highway 150, and is managed by the Buchanan County Conservation Board. “We are quite excited about this project,” said Conservation Board President Roger Johnson. “The cabins are one-of-a-kind in combining comfort with a strong conservation message.”

The cabins' comforts and amenities are complimented by natural beauty, park attractions, and promotion of a sustainable lifestyle. Each cabin comfortably sleeps five, with two private bedrooms, kitchenette, and a private bathroom with shower. Vaulted ceilings, wood-sided interiors, and exterior wood siding from trees harvested in Buchanan County. Each cabin has a porch, table, grill, and fire ring. A private drive for cabin users provides access to the cabins. The cabins are situated near the woodland trails and prairie on the northwest part of the park.

Conservation and Energy Efficiency
The cabins are off-grid – receiving all electrical needs through roof-mounted solar panels with battery storage. Cabin construction makes use of energy efficient: structural insulated panels (SIPs), triple pane windows, water conserving faucets and toilets, and more. Details of the sustainability features will be prevalent, with educational displays and printed materials. Cabin users will be able to view meters that indicate the flow of electricity from the solar panels and the supply of stored energy in the batteries.

Lime Creek Park has a nice, peaceful campground. Not far from the Cedar Valley Trail, campers at Lime Creek may want to bring their bicycles. As its name implies, Lime Creek meanders through the park. A playground and shelter house are available right in the campground. The Conservation Board recently improved the electrical service at Lime Creek, allowing for more power use by campers. Camping Fees at Lime Creek are $12/night with electricity or $6/night without electricity.

Enjoy camping by tent or camper at the Fontana Park Campgrounds.

This area has a boat ramp paddlers can use to easily get their boats into the Wapsi.

This is a beautiful place to put in a canoe or kayak and join up with the Wapsipinicon River Water Trail.

Canoes and kayaks slide smoothly into the water at the edge of a soft ramp at Iron Bridge Access. Located halfway between Independence and Quasqueton, this access is the perfect place to join the Wapsi River Water Trail.

Non-motorized boats are welcome to explore the section of Otter Creek north of the Nature Center. The water is relatively shallow, and many birds and other wildlife species may be observed. There is a small loading and unloading area near the Nature Center. A round-trip up the creek and back typically takes less than 2 hours.

A natural prairie area with a large variety of prairie grasses and wildflowers.

These 15 acres of natural prairie offer many opportunities to learn about native plants and wildflowers.

Sand Creek area marks the spot where Sand Creek and the Wapsi meet. These two waterways will keep you fishing all day.

Easily gain access to the Wapsi at this area.

At Koutny Pond/Hoffman Woods anglers have their choice of pond and/or stream fishing.

Enjoy a full day of fishing with access to both Pine Creek and the Wapsipinicon River.

Access to a remote area along Otter creek is available at this preserve.

Otter creek and a small pond provide anglers with a variety of fishing opportunities.

Fish the Wapsi for a variety of game fish at Boies Bend.

Cortright Wildlife Area has access to the Wapsi for fishing and several small ponds also available.

Many visitors to Fontana Park enjoy fishing below the Fontana Dam or on one of the three nearby jetties. Sunfish, carp, and bass are the most common species seen.

The Richardson-Jakway Historic Site is a partner site in the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. This site, located at Jakway Park just two miles South of Aurora, provides a glimpse into the 19th century home, farmstead, and community. An interpretive loop has been established around the house with signage that shares its history. The house is locked, but tours may be arranged for groups by calling 319-636-2617.

The house was built by Abiathar Richardson, a native of the state of Maine. He arrived in Iowa in 1849 and built a log cabin on the west side of Buffalo Grove. In so doing, he became the first settler in what came to be known as Buffalo Township, Buchanan County, Iowa. For nearly a year he was the sole inhabitant. Then he induced a couple who were on their way west, Silas Messenger and his wife, to take his cabin as their home. Richardson stayed with the Messengers for the next year. In 1851 he built his new home - the first frame house in the township. He painted it the "romantic color of red" as described in an early account.

Buffalo Township was officially established in 1852 and a little village grew up around the Richardson house. The village was known variously as Buchanan, Buffalo Grove or Mudville. The settlement was laid out and platted by Richardson in 1857. His house was used as a polling place for first election ever held in the township. It also housed the Buffalo Grove post office from 1857 to 1885. Abiathar Richardson served as the first postmaster. The "old red house", as it came to be known locally, was the stopping place for the stagecoach line which was established through the area. It served as a stage coach inn from 1857 to 1886.

The little village thrived until 1886 when the Chicago Great Western Railway laid their tracks one and one-half miles north of Buchanan and the town of Aurora sprang up. This was the death knell for the little village. Most of the buildings were moved, during the next winter, to the bustling community of Aurora.

In 1894 the Richardson family traded this farm for a farm owned by the John Jakway family. Later, the Palmer family became tenants of the Jakways and lived here for several years. Then, Glenn Jakway, John's son, moved into the house around 1910 and remained there until his death in 1967.

This excellent wildlife habitat offers opportunities for hunting during the appropriate seasons.

A large prairie area attracts many different species of birds to Koutny Pond/Hoffman Woods and among those is the ring-necked pheasant. The wooded areas also provide food and cover to deer and turkey.

97 acres of varied landscape make this a great deer and turkey hunting spot.

40 acres of mostly wooded area for hunting squirrel, turkey, and deer.

Various shelter types encourage many different game animals to call this area home.

This area is full of excellent wildlife habitat, and hunting is permited during the appropriate seasons.

A wooded area with great habitat for animals like squirrels, turkey, and deer. 60 acres.

This area is open year round for all hunting seasons. 24 acres.

A natural area that provides year round habitat for upland birds. 7.5 acres.

63 acres of mostly wooded area provide a variety of hunting opportunities.

These 51 acres of land adjacent to the Wapsipinicon River are ideal for deer and turkey hunting.

Stop by this small area for a quick walk through a natural preserve. Visitors can take pictures, watch birds, or just explore.

Three Elms offers an archery range with distance markers. The Wapsi Bow Hunters club holds two shooting a year here with a 3d course. If you would like more information about the yearly shooting days contact Larry Spece, president of the Wapsi Bow Hunters, at 319-361-3646.

Hoover is a great area to enjoy nature by birdwatching, photagraphy, or exploration.

This is a great place to picnic and enjoy the scenery of a natural prairie area. No restroom or electric facilities on site.

Lime Creek offer picnickers tables, a covered shelter, grills, toilets, and trash cans.

This lovely area offers picnic tables and a covered shelter with electricity near the meandering Buffalo Creek. Vault toilets, trash cans, and grills are aslo available at this site.

Picnic tables, a shelter with electricity, and vault toilets are available to visitors.

There are many picnic tables and several covered shelters available for picnicking at Fontana Park. All tables are near grills, toilets, and trash cans.

Picnic along the scenic Wapsipinicon River at this park. Fire pits and tables available but no restroom or electric facilities.

Fontana Park has 1.25 miles of looping trails that skirt the lake and wind through a lovely wooded area.

This large area offers over a mile of hiking trails that wind past a pond, prairies, and forest. Hikers are sure to encounter many plant and wildlife species on their journeys.

Mowed trails criss cross the woods and run along the Wapsi River.

Mowed trails wind through the small wooded area and run along Otter Creek.

The summer hiking trails are open during the winter to cross country skiers.

Groomed cross country ski trails are available to visitors during the winter. Call 319-636-2617 to check on trail conditions before your visit. Fontana Lake also offers ice fishing, and a portion of the ice is usually cleared for skaters each winter.