Campgrounds, cabins, restrooms and shelters at Woodbury County’s parks will open Friday, April 29, for public use. Parks opening that day will include Snyder Bend Park near Salix, Southwood Conservation Area and Fowler Forest Preserve near Smithland, and Little Sioux Park near Correctionville. Brown’s Lake-Bigelow Park near Salix will remain closed due to road replacement and other improvements being made within the park. The conservation board anticipates having the park open by June 1 or sooner.
To greet the camping season, the Woodbury County Conservation Department will hold a “Camping Kickoff Weekend” event May 6-8 at Southwood Conservation Area, Little Sioux Park, and Snyder Bend Park. On a first-come, first-served basis, campers will register and pay fees for each night of camping and will receive promotional items, including a coupon for one night of free camping later during the 2022 season at any of the county’s four campgrounds. Cabin rentals at Little Sioux Park, Southwood and Snyder Bend Park are not included in the promotion.
The swimming beach at Little Sioux Park will open on Saturday, May 28. Beach hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Labor Day. This beach is not staffed by lifeguards.
Cabin facilities are available to rent at Snyder Bend Park, Little Sioux Park and Southwood Conservation Area. Reservations for cabins and enclosed shelters can be made year-round online at www.woodburyparks.org.
The conservation board encourages everyone to visit their local county parks this year for some great outdoor fun close to home. In addition to the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, the board manages sixteen areas comprising nearly 5,900 acres providing a large variety of outdoor activities. For more information regarding county parks, contact the conservation board office at 712/258-0838 or online at www.woodburyparks.org.