FAQ
Camping
Can I reserve a camping spot and how much does it cost?
The Union County Conservation Board has set a policy of "first come, first served" which means that we cannot accept reservations for camping spots. The camping fee is $20 per night for sites with electric hook-ups (84 sites) and $15 per night at non-electric sites. For a campsite to be considered OCCUPIED you must do the following:
1. Have a vehicle, trailer, camper, or tent on the site.
2. The site must be registered and paid for at the time you arrive.
3. You must put the top portion of the camping envelope on the post that is marked for the spot you have taken.
General Questions
What is in the cabins, and what do I need to bring?
Cabins 1 through 8 are furnished with: 2 sets of bunk beds, a fold-out couch, table and chairs, dorm sized refrigerator, and a microwave. Outside the cabin there is a picnic table, charcoal grill and a fire ring for each cabin, and 2 water hydrants are shared by all of the cabins. The Lakeshore cabin has 3 sets of bunk beds, 2 fold out couches, tables and chairs, a regular sized refrigerator, an oven, and a microwave and outside you will find a charcoal grill, picnic tables, a deck and a patio/fire pit area there is a water hydrant behind the cabin. You will need to bring: sleeping gear (sleeping bag, sheets, blankets, pillow, etc.), cooking supplies and equipment, eating utensils, etc.
Is there plumbing in the cabins?
No, but there is a heated shower house right next to cabins 1 through 8 which has showers, flush toilets, running water, and is handicap accessible.
The Lakeshore cabin does not have plumbing but there is a hydrant located behind the cabin and 2 pit latrines located near the cabin. For flush toilets and showers you will need to drive approximately 1/2 a mile up to the shower house.
How do I get to Three Mile Lake?
Three Mile Lake is approximately 3 miles north of the town of Afton, approximately 15 miles east of Creston, and approximately 25 miles west of Osceola. From U.S. Highway 34, turn North on County Highway P-53 (Creamery Road), turn west (left) on 150th Street. 150th Street leads to the main boat ramp and the campground entrances are marked by directional signage.
How do I set up an account with mycountyparks?
Go to mycountyparks.com
1) Click on the "Login" link at the top right corner.
2) "Create an Account" on the right side of screen
3) Enter a username: your first and last, ie JohnDoe, or whatever you want.
4) Enter a password: your first 3 of last name and last 4 of phone #,
ie Doe1234, or whatever you want as long as there is one upper case
letter, one lower case letter, one number and it is between 6-8
characters long.
5) Enter all personal info with a red asterisk.
6) Select the county (Union).
7) Check or uncheck the box to receive e-updates.
8) Click Create Account.
Why do I have trouble navigating this website?
Try changing your browser to Firefox or Chrome. Internet Explorer has trouble on this site at times.
What is the Union County Conservation Endowment
Union
County Conservation Endowment
The
UCCE was established in 2016 to provide a permanent and everlasting fund for
future conservation and outdoor recreation projects anywhere in Union County.
The UCCE is a conduit for residents, businesses, stakeholders, customers,
and like-minded individuals to donate funds for the betterment of conservation
and outdoor recreation projects in Union County.
Our
Mission: To improve the quality of life in Union County by supporting the
development and preservation of outdoor spaces including, but not limited to
parks, lakes, wildlife refuges, and habitats which provide for such activities
as fishing, hunting, hiking, birding, and camping.
How
does the endowment work?
Endowments
are designed to last into perpetuity. Any donation made to the endowment
is carefully invested by the South Central Iowa
Community Foundation. Once invested, a
portion (5% of the 3-year average market value) of the yearly earned interest
can be used for qualifying projects in Union County. The remaining
portion of the yearly earned interest and principle will be left untouched
which guarantees that the endowment will forever continue to grow and remain an
important asset to the people who reside in or choose to visit Union
County.
We Need Your
Support
The
UCCE is asking for a donation of any monetary value you choose. If you choose
to make a donation, please make your check payable to the Union County Conservation Endowment and
mail to the South Central Iowa
Community Foundation at 108 North Grand, Chariton, IA 55049. All
donations are tax deductible under Code 501(c)3 of the IRS Code and you will
receive a gift acknowledgement letter from the Community Foundation indicating that
the gift is tax deductible.
For
more information about the Union County Conservation Endowment, please visit www.FundIowaConservation.org or
contact any of our Board Members at (641) 347-5100.
Thank
you in advance for your support!
Which cabin is the closest to the shower house?
Cabin 8 is the closest cabin to the shower house and Cabin 1 is the furthest. It is less than 100 yards from cabin 1 to the shower house.
Reserving a Facility
Can I make a one night Cabin reservation?
Yes, except for Friday and Saturday.
How much does it cost to rent a cabin at Three Mile Lake Recreation Area?
For cabins 1 through 8 Sunday through Thursday nights are
$65 per night per cabin, Friday and Saturday nights are
$75 per night per cabin. The
Lakeshore Cabin is priced at
$80 per night Sunday through Thursday nights and
$90 per night Friday and Saturday.
We do not split up our Fridays and Saturdays you MUST take both Friday and Saturday.
How do I get a list of available facilities for a specific date?
1) Click on the "Make Reservations" tab at the top of the Home page.
2) Click on the "Cabins", "Camping", "Shelter" for whatever you are looking for.
3) Click any or all arrows needed in the search area on the left and
choose the options you need. Don't forget to put in dates you want.
4) Available Facilities will show up on the right.
How do I pay for reservations?
Full payment is due when making a reservation with these credit cards only: Visa, Mastercard or Discover.
When can I make reservations?
Anytime
day or night. Cabins (if available) can be reserved up to 2 years in advance.
All on-line reservations must be made a minimum of 3 days
prior to arrival, ie you must reserve by Wednesday if your arrival is
Friday. Call the office for openings within the 3 day window.
THE RESERVATION SYSTEM WILL GO ON-LINE FEBRUARY 1, 2016 AT 9:00AM.
How do I make a reservation?
STARTING FEBRUARY 1, 2016 ALL CABIN RESERVATIONS WILL BE DONE ONLINE ONLY. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS WILL BE FOR RESERVATIONS FOR THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OF EVERY YEAR IN WHICH YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT THE CONSERVATION BOARD AT 641-347-5100 FOR RESERVATIONS.
You must have a user account and be logged in.
1) From the Home Page go to "Counties" at the top (choose Union).
There are several ways to get to the facilities you are needing to
reserve, this is the quickest...
2) Click "Facilities" on the left, choose the facility from the list.
3) Click "View Booking Details" on the right.
4) Click "Book Now"
5) Click the dates on the calendar you would like.
6) Click "Add to Cart".
7) Click "Check Out" after you have made sure this is what you want
or "Continue Shopping", you may add as many facilities as needed to your
cart before you check out. Facilities are not locked in as yours until
they are paid for at check out.
8) Enter all information required into the boxes.
9) Read the Rental Agreement and check the boxes provided.
10) Click "Submit" and print a copy for your records. A payment receipt will be emailed to
you also.
How do I cancel a reservation?
You
must call the Office at 641-347-5100 during business hours
(Monday-Friday 8:30AM to 4:30PM) All facility reservations are final,
you will forfeit all reservation fees paid as per "Rental Agreement"
Where are the keys to my cabin?
There
is a self check-in key station behind your cabin next to the parking area. Find your cabin #
and use your assigned key code (usually the last 4 digits of your phone
number) to unlock the padlock to retrieve your keys. Please leave one
key in the box at all times. For the Lakeshore cabin the key box is located next to the door.
Rules
Are pets allowed at the cabins?
Three Mile Lake is a pet friendly environment.
An additional fee of
$10 per cabin is charged for pets. If you would like to bring your pet just click the check box for pet fee at checkout and the $10 fee will be added to your total. Pets are NOT allowed in restrooms. Please, for the safety of your pet and others, keep ALL pets tethered or kenneled at ALL
times. Be a responsible pet owner and considerate of others by keeping
pets quiet and mannerly as well as cleaning up after them inside and outside of the cabin. Please keep pets off of the furniture in the cabin and be sure to clean up any and all pet hair and waste upon your departure. Failure to
comply will result in request to remove pet from the area.
Persons with severe allergies
should be aware that pets are allowed in cabins.
What is the checkout procedure for the cabins?
When checking out of your cabin you need to do the following:
Sweep the cabin and wipe down the counters and tables with the supplies provided in the cabins.
Take the trash to the dumpster located behind the cabins next to the Fish Cleaning Station.
If you had pets make sure to get all pet waste and pet hair cleaned up inside and outside of the cabin.
Your checkout time is by 2:00 P.M. Please be prepared to depart by this time so we are able to get the cabin switched over in time for new arrivals.
