Emmetsburg, Iowa - County Parks

County Parks, Lakes & Recreation Areas

For a list of Palo Alto County Conservation areas and parks, visit
http://www.paccb.org/WildlifeAreas.html

Basswood Recreation Area is 1 mile west of Emmetsburg along the West Fork of the Des Moines River. Its facilities include picnic shelters, pit restrooms, and a sledding hill at the north end. There are two trails each slightly more than a half mile in length. They are great for hiking and skiing. Enjoy fishing and hunting in the area.

Lost Island-Huston Park is located 3 miles north of Ruthven at the north end of Lost Island lake. The Park provides hiking trails, a wildlife observation blind, campground, picnic shelters, boat ramp, docks and a swimming beach.

Sportsman Recreation Area is 2.25 miles north of Cylinder . This area provides excellent fishing and upland bird hunting and is popular for its trap shooting range.

Salton Park - Take the family on a picnic to Salton Park which is locted 3.5 miles west of Ayrshire. It has 4 shelter houses, pit toilets, fish cleaning station and lake access to Silver Lake. Silver Lake is excellent for bullheads, perch, northern and crappies.

Two other small area lakes are Rush Lake which is located about 8 miles SW of Curlew, and Virgin Lake which is located 1.5 miles south of Ruthven.

City of Emmetsburg
2021 Main St
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-4030