Pioneer Ridge Nature Area
The 995 acre Pioneer Ridge Nature Area is the headquarters for the Wapello County Conservation Board. The topography is rolling with the primary vegetation type consisting of relatively mature oak/hickory timber and open grass ridge tops. An effort is underway to convert all of the non-native pasture grasses to diverse native prairie as well as restore oak savanna plant communities. All roads in the park are gravel.
Location
Six miles south of Ottumwa on Hwy 63 between 200th Street and the Wapello/Davis County line.
Features
- Camping: 19 full hook up sites; 3 primitive sites
- Approximately 15 miles of multi-use trails: hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing
- Fishing in 4 stocked ponds
- Cabins: 2 fully modern (sleep 6); 2 camping (sleep 5)
- Shelters: Haybarn Shelter for larger events; Pond Side Shelter for smaller events
- Wildlife viewing
- Nature Center
Operating Hours & Seasons
The Nature Center/Offices are open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM year-round.
Closures
The Nature Center/Offices will be closed on all observed county holidays.
