Activities

 
Biking Biking at Big Woods Lake Campground

There is a 1.7 mile paved trail around Big Woods Lake.  This trail is part of a larger 9.1 mile trail called the Big Woods Loop.  The Big Woods Loop is made up of the Big Woods Trail, Lone Tree Road Trail and Cedar Valley Lakes Trail.

Interactive Cedar Valley Trails Map

Biking Biking at Black Hawk Park

Lone Tree Road Trail passes through Black Hawk Park and offers riders a scenic view of Fogdall and Cedar Campground.  A drinking fountain and restroom facilities are available for trail users.

Interactive Cedar Valley Trails Map

Biking Biking at McFarlane Park

Biking can be done on the blacktop roads in the park or on the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, which is at the park entrance.

Interactive Cedar Valley Trails Map

Boating Boating at McFarlane Park
There is a boat ramp in the park where there is access to the Cedar River & Wolf Creek.
Boating Boating at Black Hawk Park
Black Hawk Park offers boat ramp access to the Cedar River.
Cabins Cabins at Big Woods Lake Campground
There are 3 cabins at Big Woods Lake Campground.  There is one modern cabin named Big Woods Lake Cabin and two rustic cabins named Osprey and Otter.  The modern cabin is open year round and the rustic cabins are open during the camping season.
Cabins Cabins at Hickory Hills Park
Hickory Hills Park has 4 modern cabins & 3 rustic cabins.

Cabins Cabins at McFarlane Park

 

The park has one efficiency cabin that is designed to let you experience camping without pulling a trailer or pitching a tent.  The cabin is a one-room 12’x14’ cabin that sleeps six.  Enjoy the beautiful 10’ x 16’ deck overlooking the wooded Wolf Creek Basin.  You will need to utilize the shower building for showers and toilet facilities.

The cabin accommodates six people with two sets of bunk beds with the table converting into a double bed.  Kitchen furnishings include a microwave, hot plate, dorm-size refrigerator, sink with cold running water, table & chairs, ceiling fan, mop and broom.  A picnic table and fire ring with a grill is provided outside.  The cabin is air conditioned but not heated.  Electric heaters are allowed.

Camping Camping at McFarlane Park

This 5-acre wooded campground provides electric and water and is equipped with a modern shower house & dump station. A group campground is also available with electric, pit toilets and water.  There is also a bird feeding station located in the campground.

*Campers must self-register within one hour of their arrival.

Camping Camping at Hickory Hills Park
A large camping area is surrounded by RV sites, part of which are full hook-up sites. Electricity is available at each RV site and community water hydrants are scattered throughout the area. Showers, flush toilets and a dump station are provided in season. The group camp area will accommodate RV's and/or tents. Electricity and pit toilets are provided.
Camping Camping at Big Woods Lake Campground
Big Woods Lake Campground offers 55 full hookup campsites as well as a non-modern camping area. Each full hookup site includes a level regrind camp pad, electricity (30 and 50 amp), water (seasonal) and sewer. Our non-modern camp area offers campers the option of camping with or without electricity. All campsites include the use of a fire ring and picnic table as well as wireless internet. The campground overlooks Big Woods Lake and is bordered on the south side by the Big Woods Lake Trail.
Camping Camping at Black Hawk Park
There are two campgrounds available for use, the Fogdall Campground & the Cedar Campground. There are 21 full hook-up sites (Fogdall) & 176 electrical services. We do not take reservations for these campgrounds, they are first come, first serve.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Big Woods Lake Campground
Big Woods Lake is a 55 acre lake that is perfect for canoeing and kayaking. 
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at McFarlane Park
There is a boat ramp in the park where there is access to the Cedar River & Wolf Creek.
Education Education at Hartman Reserve Nature Center
Hartman Resrve Nature Center offers a variety of programs for school groups, home schools, day cares, families, and the general public.
Fishing Fishing at Hickory Hills Park
Fishing is available at Casey Lake in Hickory Hills Park. Casey Lake is managed for largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and crappies. There are also a number of small ponds away from the lake that provide quiet fishing.
Fishing Fishing at Black Hawk Park
In the adjacent Cedar River and several ponds public may catch northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.
Fishing Fishing at Big Woods Lake Campground

Big Woods Lake is a great spot for fishing.  You can fish from shore or you can fish by boat. 

*Big Woods Lake is a no wake boating lake.

 

Fishing Fishing at McFarlane Park
There are several small ponds in the park plus Wolf Creek and the Cedar River. The spring & fall are excellent walleye fishing. Channel catfish, flathead catfish and smallmouth bass are good all season long.
Hunting Hunting at McFarlane Park
There are 62 acres of woodland open to hunting. You can find squirrel, rabbit, turkey and deer.
Hunting Hunting at Black Hawk Park

Over 1,100 acres open to public hunting with many accesses throughout the park boundary.  Habitat primarily floodplain forest, with intermixed prairie throughout the entire park.  Species include whitetail deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, and waterfowl. You can find maps that show what areas of Black Hawk Park hunting is allowed in here under related items.

There are 200, 100, 50 & 25 yard firearm ranges, clay target range and archery range.  Benches and stations provided.  Only cardboard targets can be used on firearm ranges.

Hunting Hunting at Hickory Hills Park
Public hunting is allowed on the west 175 acres of Hickory Hills Park. Since the area is adjacent to and accessible only through the park, regulations prohibit the use of rifles. Other regulations and information are posted at the beginning of the access trail in the hunting area parking lot, near the west end of the lake.
Other Activities Other Activities at Hartman Reserve Nature Center

Black Hawk County Conservation Junior Naturalist Program

This amazing 0pportunity allows children ages 6-18 to share outdoor learning experiences with adults and get a stamp from each Black Hawk County Park visited on the map on the back of the sheet. This program encourages youth and adults to attend environmental education programs and embark on independent outdoor activities together.

~ Requirements

~Program Attendance: Participants must attend 3 different programs. Examples include guided hikes, composting workshops, fishing derbies, summer camp, or any other public nature-related program.  Independent Activities: Participants must complete 2 independent activities. Examples include camping, hiking and biking trails, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or other nature related activity.  All of the above requirements must be completed within a 12-month period.

~ Awards

~Upon completion, participants will receive a colorful Junior Naturalist pin as well as invaluable experiences and awareness of natural and cultural resources in the Cedar Valley.

~~ Return completed form to Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 657 Reserve Drive, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 ~~

Other Activities Other Activities at Big Woods Lake Campground

Black Hawk County Conservation Junior Naturalist Program

This amazing opportunity allows children ages 6-18 to share outdoor learning experiences with adults and get a stamp from each Black Hawk County Park visited on the map on the back of the sheet. This program encourages youth and adults to attend environmental education programs and embark on independent outdoor activities together.

~ Requirements

~Program Attendance: Participants must attend 3 different programs. Examples include guided hikes, composting workshops, fishing derbies, summer camp, or any other public nature-related program.  Independent Activities: Participants must complete 2 independent activities. Examples include camping, hiking and biking trails, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or other nature related activity.  All of the above requirements must be completed within a 12-month period.

~ Awards

~Upon completion, participants will receive a colorful Junior Naturalist pin as well as invaluable experiences and awareness of natural and cultural resources in the Cedar Valley.

~~ Return completed form to Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 657 Reserve Drive, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 ~~

Other Activities Other Activities at Hickory Hills Park

Black Hawk County Conservation Junior Naturalist Program.

This amazing opportunity allows children ages 6-18 to share outdoor learning experiences with adults and get a stamp from each Black Hawk County Park visited on the map on the back of the sheet. This program encourages youth and adults to attend environmental education programs and embark on independent outdoor activities together.

~ Requirements

~Program Attendance: Participants must attend 3 different programs. Examples include guided hikes, composting workshops, fishing derbies, summer camp, or any other public nature-related program.  Independent Activities: Participants must complete 2 independent activities. Examples include camping, hiking and biking trails, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or other nature related activity.  All of the above requirements must be completed within a 12-month period.

~ Awards

~Upon completion, participants will receive a colorful Junior Naturalist pin as well as invaluable experiences and awareness of natural and cultural resources in the Cedar Valley.

~~ Return completed form to Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 657 Reserve Drive, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 ~~

Other Activities Other Activities at McFarlane Park

Black Hawk County Conservation Junior Naturalist Program

This amazing opportunity allows children ages 6-18 to share outdoor learning experiences with adults and get a stamp from each Black Hawk County Park visited on the map on the back of the sheet. This program encourages youth and adults to attend environmental education programs and embark on independent outdoor activities together.

~ Requirements

~Program Attendance: Participants must attend 3 different programs. Examples include guided hikes, composting workshops, fishing derbies, summer camp, or any other public nature-related program.  Independent Activities: Participants must complete 2 independent activities. Examples include camping, hiking and biking trails, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or other nature related activity.  All of the above requirements must be completed within a 12-month period.

~ Awards

~Upon completion, participants will receive a colorful Junior Naturalist pin as well as invaluable experiences and awareness of natural and cultural resources in the Cedar Valley.

~~ Return completed form to Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 657 Reserve Drive, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 ~~

Other Activities Other Activities at Black Hawk Park

Black Hawk County Conservation Junior Naturalist Program. 

This amazing opportunity allows children ages 6-18 to share outdoor learning experiences with adults and get a stamp from each Black Hawk County Park visited on the map on the back of the sheet. This program encourages youth and adults to attend environmental education programs and embark on independent outdoor activities together.

~ Requirements

~Program Attendance: Participants must attend 3 different programs. Examples include guided hikes, composting workshops, fishing derbies, summer camp, or any other public nature-related program.  Independent Activities: Participants must complete 2 independent activities. Examples include camping, hiking and biking trails, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, or other nature related activity.  All of the above requirements must be completed within a 12-month period.

~ Awards

~Upon completion, participants will receive a colorful Junior Naturalist pin as well as invaluable experiences and awareness of natural and cultural resources in the Cedar Valley.

~~ Return completed form to Hartman Reserve Nature Center, 657 Reserve Drive, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 ~~

Picnicking Picnicking at Black Hawk Park
Black Hawk Park offers several picnicking areas throughout the park.  There are also 3 open air shelters available for large groups that are free to use on a first come, first serve basis.
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at Black Hawk Park
The Lone Tree Road Trail passes through Black Hawk Park and offers users a scenic view of Fogdall and Cedar Campground.  A drinking fountain and restroom facilities are available for trail users. 
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at Big Woods Lake Campground
There is a 1.7 mile paved trail around Big Woods Lake.  This trail is part of a larger 9.1 mile trail called the Big Woods Loop.  The Big Woods Loop is made up of the Big Woods Trail, Lone Tree Road Trail and Cedar Valley Lakes Trail.
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at McFarlane Park
There are mowed woodland trails throughout the park and the Cedar Valley Nature Trail is at the park entrance.  There are a wide variety of habitats in the park & on the nature trail which make bird & wildlife watching exciting & productive.