Hickory Grove Park



The Lake Restoration is complete and some fish stocking has taken place. The lake is open for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and small boats with electric or troll motors only. You can view real-time photos of the refill process here.

Story County's Largest Park!
Hickory Grove Park is the largest and most popular of the conservation board's parks. This 445-acre multiple-use recreational area southwest of Colo contains a 98-acre lake stocked with large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, & walleye. Future stocking of walleye will be coming with the impending rearing pond project. 

 

Public Fishing Brochure

 

SCC Rules and Regulations



Location

67464 250th Street, Colo IA 50056

Located within central Iowa’s “Golden Triangle”, Hickory Grove Park is a 45-minute drive from Des Moines, Iowa’s capital, and 15 minutes from Ames, the location of Iowa State University. 

Hickory Grove Park lies southwest of Colo, Iowa between 670th and 690th avenues and between 250th and 255th streets.  The park is approximately twelve miles east of the intersection of U.S. Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 30 and two miles west of the intersection of U.S. Highway 30 and U.S. Highway 65. 




Features

  • 43 modern camping sites with electricity at Breezy Bay Campground within Hickory Grove Park; some sites are reservable - reservations are only available online - Camping Reservations
  • Shower house with flush toilets and hot water in Breezy Bay campground.
  • Primitive campground on the south side of the lake.
  • Sand beach (no lifeguards on duty--swimming is at your own risk. There are no swimming fees charged.)
  • An alcohol-free area exists on and around the beach from the north boat ramp (not including the ramp area) to and including the Supervised Youth Camping Area. No alcohol of any kind or size may be possessed or consumed.
  • Picnic sites with tables and grills.
  • Two enclosed lodges with fireplaces, electrical outlets, outside grills, and water nearby (available by reservation; fee charged Oriole Ridge Lodge or Snow Bunting Lodge)
  • Five open picnic shelters (first-come, first-served)
  • Hiking trails
  • Boat ramps (electric motors only)
  • Fishing jetties
  • Fish cleaning station
  • Public hunting is allowed only in the two game management areas on the south side of the park (see map. No target practice is allowed. Only non-toxic ammunition is allowed.
  • Archery Range (no fee; first-come, first-served; no firearms; must bring own targets)
  • Winter activities including ice fishing, cross-county skiing, and snowmobiling (on lake ice only). 


Operating Hours & Seasons

Park hours are 5:00 a.m.- 10:30 p.m. daily.

Disclaimer: During the early and late camping seasons, facilities may be closed and unavailable due to cold temperatures. No refunds will be issued for reservations made during these times. 



Closures

The area is open year round. Campgrounds are closed November 1 - March 31.