Official Website for Delaware County, Iowa
Delaware County, Iowa - Conservation Parks
Conservation Parks
Delaware County Conservation and Recreation Program
You will find a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities available which makes the enjoyment of the outdoors possible for people of all ages and interests. Your questions, comments or suggestions will be appreciated to help guide us in our constant efforts to improve our parks and natural resource areas.
NATURE CENTER & WILDLIFE EXHIBIT
NATURE CENTER & WILDLIFE EXHIBIT
The nature exhibit room at the conservation center building located at Bailey's Ford Park offers the visitor the opportunity to view a variety of interpretative and nature displays.
FISHING / BOATING / WATER TRAIL
Plenty of opportunities await trout anglers. Baileys Ford Park includes the Spring Branch Trout Stream winding its way through the park and there is a handicap fishing platform located at the north end of the stream. Twin Bridges and Fountain Springs Parks are also known for their excellent trout fishing. The Iowa DNR stocks trout in streams each week from April through October.
Boat ramps with access to Lake Delhi and the Maquoketa River are located at Baileys Ford and Turtle Creek Parks. In addition, there is a boat ramp access at Silver Lake Park for pond fishing along with shoreline access.
The Maquoketa River Water Trail in Delaware County begins at Backbone State Park and currently ends at Baileys Ford Park with 8 additional river access points along the trail. Future plans call for expanding the river trail to connect with Jones County.
The trail also includes the Manchester Whitewater Park. The river is used for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing and boating. A diverse landscape of limestone bluffs, sloping forest lands, abundant wildlife and scenic views can be found along the water trail.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Opening/Closing Dates
All recreation areas, parks, and natural areas remain open all year. However, facilities are closed to vehicle traffic and allow only walk-in access during the late fall and winter season. Campgrounds are usually open from mid-April through mid-October. Fees required by self-registration. The facilities may be closed on occasion due to extreme weather conditions, or it becomes inaccessible due to naturally occurring conditions.
Historical Sites
Several areas managed by the DCCB have historical significance.
Baileys Ford Park — 1838 a surveyor by the name of Joel Bailey came to Delaware County, built a cabin and settled on the east side of the Maquoketa River where the park is today. As one of the first settlers his cabin became the first post office and was also used as a stage coach inn for travelers overnight on their way westward. Property acquired by DCCB in 1969.
Dunlap Park — Settlement started in this area in 1838 and expanded with more permanent housing and a log dam across the river to power a sawmill which was later converted to a flour mill. The log dam was rebuilt several times and then replaced with a cement structure with Iowa Electric assuming ownership to operate as an electric plant until 1953.
Property transferred from the Dunlap family to DCCB in 1961.
Oneida 38 Township Park — Former site of pioneer Hickam Church and School — early settlement cemetery—renamed Hickory Grove School — meeting hall for township established in 1855. Property transferred to DCCB in 1968
Red School — In 1959 preserved as one of the last one room schoolhouses used in Delaware County.
Quaker Mill Dam — Originally constructed as a wooden structure in 1852 to supply power for a sawmill.
The dam was named “Quaker Mill” in the 1860’s in reference to the owners religious heritage. A more permanent concrete dam was constructed in 1914 and was modified a few years later by the Iowa Electric Company to generate electricity. Dam was removed and property transferred to DCCB in 2018. Additional historic information signs located at each site.
SHELTER HOUSE RESERVATION
Delaware County Conservation has nine picnic shelters available for reservations from April 15 thru October 15 annually at five different parks.
Reservations can be made at the beginning of each year by calling 563-927-3410. If no reservation is posted shelters are available on a first come first serve basis.
Baileys Ford Park - Manchester
1. Deer Run Shelter
- 16’ X 20’ – 320 sq. feet of sheltered use area (48 people)
- 6 tables under roof – 3 open air tables
- Electric outlets
- Grill
- Water service available
- Reservation fee - $40.00
2. Prairie Meadow Shelter
- 18’ X 40’ - 720 sq. feet of sheltered use area (64 people)
- 8 tables under roof – 3 open air tables
- North side of shelter enclosed
- Serving counter with electric on north wall
- Grill
- Water service available
- Reservation fee - $40.00
3. White Pine Shelter
- 22’ X 48’ – 1,056 sq. feet of sheltered use area (112 people)
- 14 tables under roof – 4 open air tables
- 3 sides of shelter enclosed on north end
- Serving counter with electric on north wall
- Grill
- Water service available
- Reservation fee - $50.00
Coffins Grove Park - Manchester
1. Walnut Woods Shelter
- 18’ X 50’ – 900 sq. feet of sheltered use area (88 people)
- 11 tables under roof – 2 open air tables
- Shelter enclosed on south end
- Serving counter with electric on south wall
- Grill
- Water service available
- Reservation fee - $40.00
Twin Bridges Park - Colesburg
1. Eastbrook Shelter
· 20’ X 32’ – 640 sq. feet of sheltered use area (48 people)
· 6 tables under roof
· Electric outlets
· Grill
· Water service available
· Reservation fee - $40.00
2. Northwood Shelter
- 20’ X 32’ - 640 sq. feet of sheltered use area (56 people)
- 7 tables under roof – 1 open air tables
- Electric outlets
- Grill
- Water service available
- Reservation fee - $40.00
3. Westview Shelter
- 20’ X 32’ – 640 sq. feet of sheltered use area (48 people)
- 6 tables under roof – 1 open air tables
- Electric outlets
- Grill
- No water at shelter
- Reservation fee - $40.00
Silver Lake Park - Delhi
- 16’ X 30’ – 480 sq. feet of sheltered use area (56 people)
- 7 tables under roof – 2 open air tables
- Electric outlets
- Grill
- Water service available
- Reservation fee - $40.00
Dunlap Park - Hopkinton
- 16’ X 30’ – 480 sq. feet of sheltered use area (40 people)
- 5 tables under roof
- Electric outlets
- Grill
- No water service available
- Reservation fee - $40.00
DELAWARE COUNTY PARKS
BAILEY'S FORD PARK - 2379 Jefferson Road, Manchester.
A 170-acre park located three miles southeast of Manchester. This address is also where the office and nature center for the Delaware County Conservation Board is located. Summer Nature CAmp Programes are available by registration Park facilities include trout and river fishing, three picnic shelters, camping areas with electrical and water hookups, shower/restroom building, dump station, vault toilets, ball diamond, volleyball court, horseshoe courts, playground equipment and hiking trails.
COFFINS GROVE PARK - 1387 Early Stagecoach Road, Manchester.
A 22-acre park located four miles northwest of Manchester. Park facilities include stream fishing, two picnic shelters with electricity, RV camping areas with electric and water hookups, dump station, vault toilets, ball diamond, horseshoe courts, volleyball courts and playground equipment.
FOUNTAIN SPRINGS PARK - 2511 Oak Road, Greeley.
This primitive park has 240 acres of beautiful and rugged area, encompassing over a mile of Elk Creek trout stream. The park is located three miles northeast of Greeley. Park facilities include trout fishing, hiking trails, vault toilets, and hunting is permitted.
TURTLE CREEK PARK - 2124 267th Street, Manchester.
A 200-acre park located six miles southeast of Manchester on the Hartwick Lake impoundment of the Maquoketa River above the Delhi Dam. Park facilities include a boat ramp, lake fishing, RV camping areas with electrical and water hookups, dump station, vault toilets, and one picnic shelter.
TWIN BRIDGES PARK - 2638 Highway 3, Colesburg.
A 144-acre park located five miles west of Colesburg. Park facilities include three picnic shelters, camping areas, dump station, electric and water hookups, trout fishing, public hunting, vault toilet, horseshoe courts and playground equipment. Assistance to purchase part of this area was received from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.
Additional day use parks located throughout the county can be found on the Delaware County Conservation Areas brochure.
