Activities

 
Biking Biking at Hanson Trail
This asphalt trail loops along Highway 9 and 340th Street, from Forest City to Pilot Knob State Park. It is popular with bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and roller bladers. No motorized vehicles area permitted.
Boating Boating at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
Boating, with electric motors only, is allowed on 15-acre Lake Catherine.
Cabins Cabins at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
The Lake Catherine Cabin overlooks Lake Catherine and provides people with a relaxing getaway! It has heat and air conditioning and sleeps six. It also has a bathroom with a shower, and a kitchen area complete with a full-sized stove and refrigerator, a microwave, a toaster, and a coffee maker. All eating and  cooking utensils are included. Outside, you can enjoy a spacious deck, cook over a grill, enjoy a campfire and the bird feeders, or simply sit at a picnic table listening to the sounds of nature. The cabin is available all year and you can check available dates by visiting our web site (www.winnebagoccb.com). You can also download a reservation form there.
Camping Camping at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
The park's campground overlooks Lake Catherine and contains 15 scenic campsites. Thirteen of the sites contain electricity and water hookups and cost $12/night. The remaining two sites are primitive sites and cost $8/night. The campground also contains a small playground, pit toilets, and a water pump.
Camping Camping at Hanson Trail
Campgrounds are found on each end of the trail. On the west end of the trail, you can camp at Pammel Park, a city campground along the Winnebago River in Forest City. On the east end of the trail, you can camp at Pilot Knob State Park in their shady campground.
Camping Camping at Dahle Park
Dahle Park has 8 electrical sites situated in a wooded area near the Winnebago River. The camping rate at Dahle Park is $5/night.
Camping Camping at Winnebago River Water Trail
Camping can be found at the north end of the trail (at Dahle Park) or at the south end of the trail (at Forest City's Pammel Park).
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Winnebago River Water Trail
This 27-mile long water trail has been designated an official Iowa Water Trail. It begins at Dahle Park, and runs all the way to Forest City's Pammel Park. There are additional accesses at the Lande River Conservation Area, as well as at Ambroson Park. 
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Dahle Park
Dahle Park is the northernmost access point along the Winnebago River Water Trail.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Ambroson Recreation Area
Ambroson Park is an access point along the Winnebago River Water Trail.
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
Many people take advantage of quiet Lake Catherine to enjoy a relaxing paddle!
Canoeing & Kayaking Canoeing & Kayaking at Lande River Conservation Area
The Lande area is an access point of the Winnebago River Water Trail.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
The park's shelter house can be reserved for $10/day. It's an open shelter with electricity.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Ambroson Recreation Area
The open shelter house at the park can be reserved for $10 a day.
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Dahle Park
The shelter house at Dahle Park is an open shelter with electricity. It can be reserved for $10/day. 
Facility Rentals Facility Rentals at Florence Recreation Area and Trap Shooting Range
The open shelter at the Florence Recreation Area can be reserved for $10/day. Likewise, groups can contact the WCCB if they would like to reserve the trap shooting range for an organized shoot.
Fishing Fishing at Florence Recreation Area and Trap Shooting Range
With a renovated, 3-acre, spring-fed fishing pond, Florence provides anglers with a good opportunity to land bluegills, largemouth bass, and catfish.
Fishing Fishing at Dahle Park
Located along the Winnebago River, Dahle Park offers good fishing opportunities, especially for northern pike.
Fishing Fishing at Ambroson Recreation Area
You can fish the Winnebago River, or the ponds at the park. Fish include northern pike, largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegills.
Fishing Fishing at Gruis Recreation Area
A small pond provides some fishing fun!
Fishing Fishing at Hogsback Wildlife Area Annex
Adjacent to the Winnebago River, this area is the location of Stoney Fjord, a popular spot for spring northern pike fishing. 
Fishing Fishing at Jensen/Kvale Tract
The Winnebago River flows through this area, providing some nice fishing opportunities! 
Fishing Fishing at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
Lake Catherine is a popular spot with fishermen! The lake contains a nice mix of largemouth bass and bluegills, as well as some crappies and catfish.
Fishing Fishing at Winnebago River Recreation Area
Its location along the Winnebago River makes this area a nice spot for fishing!
Fishing Fishing at Lande River Conservation Area
Situated along the Winnebago River, this area provides wonderful access to river fishing.
Fishing Fishing at Nieman Wildlife Area
Nieman's setting along the Winnebago River gives fishermen a nice spot to cast their line!
Fishing Fishing at Rauk-Rasmussen Tract
The Winnebago River flows through this area, so bring along your fishing pole!
Fishing Fishing at Winnebago River Water Trail
Make sure to bring along your fishing pole and, as you float along, try your luck for fish such as northern pike!
Historic Visits Historic Visits at Linden Township Cemetery
This small cemetery is a true "pioneer cemetery," dating back over 130 years, and providing the final resting places of some of Winnebago County's first residents. 
Hunting Hunting at Larsen-Tweed Wildlife Area
Situated in an oak-savanna setting, this wildlife area also consists of native and restored prairies, as well as wetlands, and is quite popular with deer and turkey hunters. 
Hunting Hunting at Lande River Conservation Area
Set in a natural floodplain of the Winnebago River, this area contains natural and restored wetlands, as well as some nice uplands, each of which make this a great hunting location!
Hunting Hunting at Rauk-Rasmussen Tract
Here, there is a restored prairie, as well as wetlands and some timber along the river. This area is popular with waterfowl, upland bird, and deer hunters. Winter-cover food plots also grow on both sides of the river.
Hunting Hunting at Russ Wildlife Area
This area is made up of expansive hills covered with native prairie grasses, a wetland, and a few wooded areas. Hunters can find deer, pheasants, and waterfowl here. No turkey hunting is allowed, though.
Hunting Hunting at Nieman Wildlife Area
This area is comprised of natural wetlands, prairies, and oak and willow woodlands so, in the fall, it becomes a popular waterfowl hunting area!
Hunting Hunting at Osmundson Slough
This area contains numerous natural and restored wetlands, as well as native prairie and restored uplands. This mix of habitat makes for excellent waterfowl, pheasant, and deer hunting! 
Hunting Hunting at Quam Wildlife Area
This area contains a restored prairie and wetlands, as well as winter-cover food plots. As a result, it's popular with upland bird and early-season waterfowl hunters. 
Hunting Hunting at Winnebago River Recreation Area
A natural marsh and an upland timber area provide excellent hunting habitat for upland species, as well as waterfowl.
Hunting Hunting at Thorpe Recreation Area
This area, popular with bow-hunters, contains an extensive oak-hickory savanna, an upland prairie, and a 30-acre wetland. Turkey hunting is prohibited here, though.
Hunting Hunting at Walker Prairie
 This area contains a wonderful mix of wildlife habitat, including a small wetland, a restored prairie, and some mature hardwood trees. But, because of its small size and some surrounding residences, only archery hunting is allowed.
Hunting Hunting at Winnebago County Home Farm
This area's rolling hills have been restored to prairie and its bottomlands now contain wetlands. Upland bird, deer, and waterfowl hunters use the area in the fall. The area north of 410th St. is designated as a Canada Goose Refuge, though.
Hunting Hunting at Linden Township Cemetery
Although it's tiny, this area consists of virgin prairie, making for a nice hunting spot.
Hunting Hunting at Luke Rossiter Wildlife Area
This area contains both native and restored wetlands and prairies and many deer, making it a great hunting location!
Hunting Hunting at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
Hunting is allowed throughout this multi-use area, although deer and turkey hunting is prohibited and waterfowl hunting is not allowed on Lake Catherine.
Hunting Hunting at Jensen/Kvale Tract
This tract contains restored prairie and wetlands, as well as a 5-acre woodlot. A winter-cover food plot usually is planted on the west side of the river. 
Hunting Hunting at Hogsback Wildlife Area Annex
This area contains some nice river bottom habitat, with additional uplands. 
Hunting Hunting at Jack Rabbit Slough
This area contains restored wetlands and uplands, allowing hunters to enjoy hunting waterfowl, pheasants, and deer hunting.
Hunting Hunting at Grant Wildlife Area
This wooded area contains a mix of cottonwoods, willows, and red cedars, and is a popular spot for deer and squirrel hunting.
Hunting Hunting at Hagen Prairie
Although small, this tiny prairie offers some good upland hunting opportunities!
Hunting Hunting at Hogsback Wildlife Area and Target Shooting Range
This area's timbered areas are especially popular with deer, squirrel, and turkey hunters, and waterfowl hunters take advantage of the extensive wetlands at the foot of the bluff.
Hunting Hunting at Gruis Recreation Area
Although most of the area is a golf course, there is some restricted upland hunting adjacent to the course itself.
Hunting Hunting at Bolstad Wildlife Area
Made up primarily of burr oak timber, this area is a popular location for turkey and deer hunting.
Hunting Hunting at C.A. Block Wildlife Area
This area consists of restored prairie uplands and wetlands as well as Winnebago River bottomlands, so this area is popular with hunters seeking waterfowl, upland birds, deer, and wild turkey.
Hunting Hunting at Ambroson Recreation Area
This multi-use complex contains a mixture of uplands and wetlands, providing excellent wildlife habitat, and also providing very nice hunting opportunities.
Hunting Hunting at Dahle Park
Although small, Dahle Park does offer some woodland and upland hunting opportunities.
Hunting Hunting at Florence Recreation Area and Trap Shooting Range
This area contains a restored prairie and is popular with pheasant hunters.
Other Activities Other Activities at Dahle Park
There is a geocache located here. See if you can find it!
Other Activities Other Activities at C.A. Block Wildlife Area
Two geocaches are located somewhere in this area! Check them out here and here.
Other Activities Other Activities at Ambroson Recreation Area
There is a geocache hidden here. Check out the link here for more information.
Other Activities Other Activities at Gruis Recreation Area
This area contains a 9-hole public golf course, complete with a driving range and clubhouse. For more information, call 641-926-5393.
Other Activities Other Activities at Florence Recreation Area and Trap Shooting Range
Bring a group out to our trap shooting range or contact our office for public shooting hours!
Other Activities Other Activities at Hanson Trail
In addition to biking, walking, and jogging, this trail can also be used for rollerblading. Pammel Park (on the west end of the trail) also offers a disc golf course. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail, either in the summer or the winter.
Other Activities Other Activities at Hogsback Wildlife Area and Target Shooting Range
The target range provides an excellent spot to practice your shooting skills!  Also see if you can find the geocache located somewhere in this area!
Other Activities Other Activities at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
Take a leisurely stroll down a trail and see if you can find a geocache hidden nearby!
Other Activities Other Activities at Winnebago River Recreation Area
See if you can find the geocache hidden somewhere in this area!
Other Activities Other Activities at Russ Wildlife Area
While you're checking out the panoramic view, take a few minutes to search for a geocache hidden here!
Other Activities Other Activities at Lande River Conservation Area
Two geocaches are hidden on this area for those people adventurous enough to find them! Check them out here and here.
Other Activities Other Activities at Larsen-Tweed Wildlife Area
See if you can find the geocache hidden here!
Other Activities Other Activities at Linden Township Cemetery
It shouldn't be hard to find the geocache hidden in this tiny area!
Picnicking Picnicking at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
Picnic areas are available in the campground and around the shelter house.
Picnicking Picnicking at Hanson Trail
Both Pammel Park (on the west end of the trail) or Pilot Knob State Park (on the east end of the trail) offer picnic sites. Pammel Park's sites are along the Winnebago River, while Pilot Knob's are situated in relaxing, wooded areas.
Picnicking Picnicking at Ambroson Recreation Area
Find a spot along the river and relax!
Picnicking Picnicking at Dahle Park
The park's wooded setting provides a wonderful spot to enjoy a relaxing outdoor meal!
Picnicking Picnicking at Florence Recreation Area and Trap Shooting Range
This quiet, out-of-the-way park offers a relaxing setting for a leisurely picnic!
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
The Northland Nature Trail is an interpretive trail that winds around the marsh, providing people with a nice view of much of the park!
Trails & Hiking Trails & Hiking at Russ Wildlife Area
A scenic trail winds up and down the hills, as well as through a nice, wooded area.
Winter Activities Winter Activities at Thorpe Park (office moved to Hanson Nature Center)
Many people take advantage of the park's quiet winter season to enjoy some cross-country skiing or some ice-fishing on Lake Catherine.
Winter Activities Winter Activities at Ambroson Recreation Area
Once the ponds freeze over, grab your ice-fishing equipment and try your luck! You can also cross-country ski throughout the area.
Winter Activities Winter Activities at Hanson Trail
People can utilize the trail for cross-country skiing in the winter.
Winter Activities Winter Activities at Florence Recreation Area and Trap Shooting Range
Grab your ice-fishing equipment and try your luck at the park's pond!