Activities

 
Biking Biking at Heery Woods State Park - North Side
If you are into biking, you will find easy access onto the Rolling Prairie Bike Trail. This is 21 mile paved bike trail leading you through diverse landscapes and habitats. There is a trail head at Heery Woods State Park with an information and map kiosk.
Boating Boating at Camp Comfort Recreation Area
Boat ramps offer access to the river both above and below the rock dam. 
Boating Boating at Shell Rock Recreation Area and Wildlife Area
The Shell Rock Recreational/Wildlife Area has a boat ramp to access the river.
Camping Camping at Shell Rock Recreation Area and Wildlife Area
This campground is right along the Shell Rock River. You will find 30 and 50 amp hookups for 40 campers as well as many primitive campsites.
Camping Camping at Wunsch Memorial Park
Wunsch Memorial Park is a four acre park located within the city of Greene, Iowa.  The area contains 10 electrical hook-up campsites, a flush toilet facility, a boat ramp for canoes and light boats, and an open shelter house.   
Camping Camping at Beaver Meadows
  • 16 electrical hookups
  • flush toilets and showers
Camping Camping at Heery Woods State Park - North Side
The campground at Heery Woods State Park features 19 electrical sites, 11 with 50 amp service and 8 with 30 amp service.  Water for filling reserve tanks is available on site, but no permanent hook-ups are available.  A dump station is available nearby in the town of Clarksville.  Flush toilets and a shower house are located near the camping areas. 
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Heery Woods State Park - North Side

Two boat ramps offer access to the Shell Rock River. 

One boat ramp is above the dam and is located within the north side of Heery Woods State Park. This is a popular take out point when canoeing or kayaking the 10.3 miles from Camp Comfort.

The other boat ram is located below the dam and across the river. It is located off of Timber Avenue near the Butler County Conservation Board shop area. You can choose a short or long float from this boat ramp. The first is a 4 mile stretch to Renning Landing. By canoe/kayak, this float will take between 1.5 and 2.5 hours. Plan 3 to 5 hours by inner tube.

If you would like to go further, you can float past Renning Landing to Shell Rock Recreation Area - an additional 5 miles (total of 9). The 9 miles from Heery Woods to Shell Rock will take 3 to 5 hours by canoe/kayak. This float is not recommended for inner tube due to the distance.

Float times depend on water level, the amount of paddling done by participants and other activities pursued along the route.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Camp Comfort Recreation Area

If you are looking to do a little paddling on the river, you can put your canoe or kayak in at the boat accesses both above and below the dam. 

A popular float from Camp Comfort Recreation Area is to Heery Woods State Park. This float is 10.3 miles and is not recommended for inner tubes due to the length of time it would take to float. By canoe/kayak, this stretch of river will take between 4 and 7 hours.

Camp Comfort is also a popular destination from Wunsch Memorial Park. This float is 6 miles. Approximate float time by canoe or kayak is 2 to 3 hours. It will take 4 to 6 hours by inner tube.

All float times depend on water level, the amount of paddling done by participants, and other activities pursued along the route.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Beaver Meadows
The area above the dam has a small, fairly calm area for paddlers to explore Beaver Creek.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Wunsch Memorial Park

Wunsch Memorial Park offers a boat ramp for boaters of all kinds to take a float or do some fishing on the Shell Rock River below the dam.

A popular float is from Wunsch Memorial Park to Camp Comfort Recreation Area. This float is 6 miles. If canoeing or kayaking, this float will take about 2 to 3 hours. The same stretch will take 4 to 6 hours by inner tube.

Float times depend on water level, the amount of paddling done by participants, and other activities pursued along the route.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Shell Rock Recreation Area and Wildlife Area

Visitors can take advantage of the boat access to to get a canoe or kayak on or off the Shell Rock River.

Popular floats to Shell Rock Recreation Area are from Renning's Landing and Heery Woods State Park.

The float from Renning's Landing to Shell Rock Recreation Area is 5 river miles - taking approximately 1.5 to 3 miles by canoe/kayak and 3 to 6 hours by inner tube.

The float from Heery Woods State Park to Shell Rock Recreation Area is 9 river miles - taking approximately 3 to 5 hours by canoe/kayak. This section is not recommended for tubing due to the length of this stretch of river and the time it would take.

Float times are dependent on water level, amount of paddling done by participants and other activities pursued along the route.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Renning Landing

Renning Landing has a boat ramp for access to the Shell Rock River. It is a good place to put in for a 5 mile float to Shell Rock or take out after floating  the 4 miles from Heery Woods Park. 

This float will take from 1.5 to 3 hours by canoe or kayak, and 3 to 6 hours by inner tube.

Float times depend on water level, the amount of paddling done by participants, and other activities pursued along the route.
Disc Golf Disc Golf at Beaver Meadows
9 Hole Disc Golf Course within Beaver Meadows
Education Education at Heery Woods State Park - South Side

Heery Woods State Park serves at the headquarters for the Butler County Conservation Board. The nature center is located on the south side of the park, and the main office is located within. Educational events and programs are available year round for school, youth, public, special interest groups, and more. You can contact the naturalist to set up a presentation for your group or school at butlernaturalist@butler-bremer.com or 319-278-1130.

The Nature Center will be undergoing an expansion and renovation project in 2021, and the nature center will be closed during this project.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Heery Woods State Park - North Side

Heery Woods State Park has two open shelters near the campground.

Each shelter has picnic tables and can be reserved by calling 319-278-1130.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Camp Comfort Recreation Area
Camp Comfort Recreation Area features one open shelter. This shelter has a double-sided limestone fireplace and has electricity. This shelter can be used on a first-come-first-served basis or reserved for your event.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Beaver Meadows

Beaver Meadows has two shelters available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Shelters can also be reserved
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Heery Woods State Park - South Side

Heery Woods Lodge is a historic limestone/masonry structure available for rent. It has 6 solid walnut tables with benches and five serving tables. You will enjoy the modern features of electricity and a basic kitchen along with the working wood fireplace. A small shelter behind offers a great view of the river below and grills for your get-together. Reservations can be made by calling the Conservation Board Office at 319-278-1130.

The meeting room at Heery Wood Nature Center is also available for rent, but a 2021 nature center expansion project will make this option unavailable during that time.
Fishing Fishing at Shell Rock Recreation Area and Wildlife Area
At Shell Rock Recreation Area you will have access to both river and lake fishing all year round. There is a boat ramp to access the river.
Fishing Fishing at Wunsch Memorial Park
Wunsch Memorial Park is a 4 acre park along the Shell Rock River. Anglers can fish from the river bank below the dam or put their boat in at the access to fish on the river.
Fishing Fishing at Camp Comfort Recreation Area

The Shell Rock River at camp comfort offers excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can fish for catfish, bass, walleye and northern among others. Fishing is god both above and below the rock dam. Fish from your boat, or fish from the shore. Either way, you are sure to have a good day of fishing.
Fishing Fishing at Beaver Meadows

Lowhead dam and associated pool above provides excellent angling opportunities

 
Fishing Fishing at Heery Woods State Park - North Side
Heery Woods State Park sits along the Shell Rock River. You can fish above our below the dam for a variety of river species.
Other Activities Other Activities at Beaver Meadows

Wildlife Viewing along Beaver Creek

9-hole city-owned golf course nearby with cart rental
Other Activities Other Activities at Shell Rock Recreation Area and Wildlife Area
Shell Rock Wildlife Area joins with Shell Rock Recreational Area. This floodplain forest provides wetland habitat for wildlife of all kinds. Here you may see waterfowl, beaver, deer, songbirds, turtles, snakes and many others. Grab your binoculars and camera, and take a hike through this wildlife area.
Other Activities Other Activities at Heery Woods State Park - South Side

The south side of Heery Woods State Park is not only the headquarters for the Butler County Conservation Board, but is home to a wide array of wildlife. Nearly two miles of grass and lime-chip trails will lead you through the woodlands in search of woodpeckers, songbirds, squirrels, deer, turkey, owls, reptiles, amphibians and more. This is a great place to glimpse wildlife with your binoculars and/or camera.

When you are done with your hike, let your kids play on the playground or sit and relax at a picnic table overlooking the river.
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at Heery Woods State Park - South Side
The south side of Heery Woods State Park has 1.75 miles of woodland trails to explore. Trails will take you along the river bluff and through the forest on dirt and lime-chipped trails. Stop in the nature center to pick up one or both of the booklets to guide you through the trails and offer additional educational information the history of this property and Butler County. Keep and eye out for woodland animals such as woodpeckers, songbirds, turkey, deer, squirrel and more.
Winter Activities Winter Activities at Beaver Meadows
Beaver Meadows is a great place to cross-country ski and snowshoe. Ski trails will be groomed occasionally throughout the winter depending on snowfall.
Winter Activities Winter Activities at Heery Woods State Park - South Side

The trails near the nature center are ideal for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing in the winter. Follow nearly 2 miles of trails through the woods to see what wildlife awaits you there.

Each February, there is a lighted night ski event for both those who want to try out cross-country skiing for the first time and those who have more experience with the sport.