Twin Ponds
Twin Ponds is a 157 acre area acquired in 1962. Twin Ponds is split by the Wapsipinicon River, forming an East Park and a West Park. A picnic shelter is provided on each side, and primitive camping is allowed. This is the home of the Twin Ponds Nature Center, a facility opened for public use in 2002.
The Twin Ponds Nature Center is the home of educational displays, large and small animal mounts, and also has a live animal display including reptiles, amphibians, bees and fish. There are hiking trails through the woodland area and there is a bird blind on the west edge of the wetland area. This bird blind overlooks a pond and is great for watching birds such as eagles, a variety of ducks, geese and wading birds such as great blue herons and egrets.The basement of the nature center can be rented out. The kitchen is also available with the basement. Rates vary and some groups such as educational or conservation groups may be able to use the basement at no charge. This nature center serves as the headquarters building for the Chickasaw County Conservation Board and its staff.
This area has a variety of habitat including woodland, prairie and wetland. Wildlife often seen here includes hawks, eagles, swans, deer and turkey. Twin Ponds is home to the smooth green snake and many varieties of amphibians and reptiles.
Location
1811 240th St., Ionia, Iowa - 2 miles south and 3 miles east of Ionia.
Features
Twin Ponds Nature Center was built on the west side of the Twin Ponds Area in 2002. The Center has meeting space and facilities available for rent. Call 641/394-4714 to reserve.
There are three ponds in the Twin Ponds Area, two of them have fishing acess, the third one is a wetland area.
There is parking near each pond. The pond north of the Nature Center has a boat ramp for access. This is an electric motors only pond. Trails have been improved and a shelter house was added by the north pond parking area in 2013.
Effective September 2018, there are new camping regulations.
At the East Park of Twin Ponds, campers must now pay $10.00/night.
At the West Park of Twin Ponds, campers must pay $15.00/night with a one week maximum stay. A modern bath house and electricity are available.
Operating Hours & Seasons
The park areas are open all year from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day. The
Twin Ponds Nature Center is open from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you are not able to visit during these hours, appointments can be made by calling 641-394-4714.
For more information:
http://chickasawcoia.org/
Closures
Holidays & weekends
