Stone State Park & Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

Woodbury and Plymouth Counties, Iowa

Stone State Park

Description:

Stone State Park is located 8 miles northwest of Sioux City on Hwy 12 north. Take exit 151 off I-29 and travel north through Riverside to Hwy 12.

Stone State Park is 1069 acres of ridgetop and hillside prairies and bottomland forest. Stone Park contains fine examples of prairies and woodlands, including rare species from each. Late April and early May are the best times to view woodland wildflowers. Rare butterflies, such as the Pawnee skipper, Ottoe skipper, and Olympia white, can be found in the prairies.

Talbot Road, which runs along the eastern border of Stone Park, will lead you to the west entrance of the Sioux City Prairie.

Trail Use:

Trails in the park are used by a variety of visitors. Not all uses are compatible with one another. Bicyclists, snowmobilers, and horseback riders are required to stay on trails designated for their use. Trails may be closed temporarily if conditions are wet or otherwise unsafe.

Facilities:

• 32 camp sites (12 with electric hookup), flush toilets and showers
• 4 picnic shelters (1 with electrical outlets); reservations required
• Carolyn Benne self-guided nature trail
• Equestrian staging and picnic areas, with 6 miles of trails
• 6 miles of mountain bike and snowmobile trails
• 8 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails
• Picnic areas with tables and grills

More information:

Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

Description:

A county facility located within Stone State Park on Hwy 12 north. Take exit 151 off I-29 and travel north through Riverside to Hwy 12. The DPNC serves all of Siouxland in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The center houses a variety of exhibits, including:

• a 'walk-under' prairie
• a 400 gallon aquarium of native fish
• natural history dioramas
• Junior League Legacy Gallery with hands-on features for
  • furs
  • antlers
  • fossils
  • other artifacts

Trails:

There is a two mile system of walking trails near the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. The system merges with Stone Park's existing trails, taking the hiker through dense wooded forests and over steep prairie ridges. Due to high erosion rates of loess soil, please stay on marked trails and avoid travel in areas where trails are closed.

More information:

• Observe all State and County Park rules
• Stay on the pathways
• Leave all plants and animals where you find them
• Don't litter and please recycle
• Keep pets on a leash; only seeing-eye animals are allowed in the facility
• Don't feed or harass wildlife
• Confine bicycles and horses to designated roads and trails found elsewhere in the park