Prairie Creek Recreation Area

Jackson County, IA

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Location

Google Map Location

Prairie Creek Recreation Area is located on the SE side of Maquoketa. There are three accesses to the park.

One access is on the west side of the park at the corner of Summit Street and Jacobsen Drive in Maquoketa. Follow the roadway into the park. Parking is available on the north side of the fishing pond, adjacent to the pavilion, and along roadway.

There are two parking lots along the east side of the park located along 223rd Avenue. The first parking lot is about 1/2 mile south of Highway 64. The second parking lot is located at the south end of 223rd Avenue.

Street addresses for the three entrances are 1215 East Summit Street, 2126 223rd Avenue, and 3324 223rd Avenue.

PARK CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jackson County Conservation
Hurstville Interpretive Center
18670 63rd Street
Maquoketa, IA 52060
(563) 652-3783
Email

Operating Hours & Seasons Open daily 4:00 A.M. - 10:30 P.M.

Prairie Creek Map

Discover Prairie Creek Recreation Area in Maquoketa

11/30/24: Water quality projects at the park are underway. Please be aware of construction, yield to heavy equipment, and steer clear of construction areas.

12/26/24 Jackson County Conservation in conjunction with the City of Maquoketa are working on a community project to enhance Prairie Creek Recreation Area. The project includes: water quality provisions; ADA accessible trail connecting the City of Maquoketa to Prairie Creek Recreation Area’s many mowed trails; pavilion, restrooms, and parking lot connecting to the new trail along Highway 64; and an 18-hole disc golf course with both family friendly and professional holes allowing for competitive tournaments. Click here for more information about the project.

From the meandering creek, the rolling hills of the tallgrass prairies, and dense woodlands spotted with limestone bluffs, this park is full of ecological and archaeological treasures.

This 273-acre area was donated to Jackson County Conservation in 2014 by Robert J. Martin in memory of Sally Ann Moler and Joseph A. and Evelyn E. Martin to be enjoyed by the public as a park and recreation area.

Features Available at Various Facilities

Carry in/carry out refuse
Electricity
Fireplace
Firewood available
Handicap Accessible
Picnic Table
Restroom

Modern restrooms at the Pavilion
Prairie Creek Pavilion: includes picnic tables, fireplace, and restrooms; available for reservation
More than five miles of hiking trails
2-acre fishing pond (bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish)
Open to archery hunting (please follow all state hunting regulations and additional regulations posted at park; no other hunting or trapping is allowed)
57.5 acres of crop ground are leased out (please be respectful of crops in fields)
Woodlands, prairies, pollinator plantings, creek, wetlands, pond
1.5 miles of Prairie Creek meanders through the park

New for 2023 Animal Silhouette Hike- Scattered along the trails around the rock shelter are 12 animal silhouettes hung in the trees. Challenge your id skills by locating each animal and determining what species it is. Each animal is commonly found in our area for at least part of the year. This challenge is for visitors of all ages and can be done by simply hiking around and spotting them or you can access an interactive Google map. Access the map by using this link. When you click on each pinpoint on the map, you can learn the name of the animal, see a picture of it and learn more about it.