Friends of Greene County IA Parks

22/03/2026

Badgers are beneficial in riding rodents, grubs. The fresh soil makes great potting soil.

22/03/2026

Smoke??? What looked like puffs of smoke was pollen released by the wind from these Cedar trees.

15/03/2026

RRVT UPDATE ….

Since starting to work with an engineering firm on repaving the final portion of the Raccoon River Valley Trail, another phase will begin soon with the Greene County Conservation Board. Director Tanner Scheuermann says the 14 miles

15/03/2026

Can’t fix it if you don’t know what’s in it …. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16J5cnFHfV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

21/02/2026

They say "If you build it, they will come." Greene Co. Conservation has raised half of the 4.5 Million needed to replace 14 miles of the bike trail in Greene and Guthrie. Help them finish the push for funding for the trail and bring people in to see just what we have to offer. Fund raisers, donations and events can do this.

29/12/2025

The Ledges is Legendary:

Ledges Nature Notes
We're almost to 2026 and you can start the New Year off right with a hike at Ledges State Park! This year's hike will start at the Oak Woods picnic area and attendees will descend into the Canyon, along the closed roadway. Staff will lead the hike to the 1st low water crossing and then turn around, but visitors are welcome to venture on deeper into the park, exploring more of the winter landscape and trails.
Following the hike, Friends of the Ledges will hold their annual chili feed. Come for the hike, stay for the chili....or just come for the chili! All proceeds from the free will donation event will go right back into the park for programs and projects sponsored by Friends of the Ledges.
When - Thursday, January 1, 2026 - Hike @ 10:00am, Chili @ 11:00am
Where - Hike at the Oak Woods picnic area, Chili at the park office.
first day hike

1-Minute Growing Season
Back in April, staff from Ledges and other central Iowa state parks conducted a prescribed burn on a prairie just inside the east entrance to Ledges. Throughout the spring, summer, fall and early winter; staff took a photograph timelapse of the rebirth of that prairie as it came back to life following the burn.

2026 Reservations
The New Year brings with it a new season of reservations! With Iowa's state parks having a 3-month rolling window for reservations, on January 1st, you can make a reservation for as far out as April 1st. It would be wise to start thinking about those weekends you want to be at the park, because they'll fill up fast.
While Ledges has been 100% reservable for 2 years now, you'll find in 2026 that all Iowa State Parks will be making the switch to 100% reservable. From Backbone to Waubonsie and everywhere in between, booking your next camping trip at an Iowa state park is just a click away.

Mark Your Calendars!
The list below is full of great upcoming programs here at the Ledges and abroad. Please mark your calendars now and then watch Ledges Nature Notes in the coming weeks for more details on each one!
January 1 - 10:00am - First Day Hike and Friends of the Ledges chili feed. Meet for the hike at the Oak Woods picnic area and stay for a free will donation chili feed after the hike!
February 19 - 6:30pm - First 2026 Friends of the Ledges meeting @ Ledges park office.
March 24 - 6:30pm - "Lights Out Iowa" program - Ericson Public Library in Boone. Sponsored by the Friends of the Ledges endowment committee.

For questions or more information, please reach out to the Ledges park office
[email protected] - (515) 432-1852
Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Managing fish and wildlife programs, ensuring the health of Iowa’s forests and prairies, and providing recreational opportunities in Iowa’s state parks.

23/12/2025

On her November visit, @ Iowa Park Lady visited our Milwaukee Road Train Depot in Jefferson. Next stop south, the Weigh station at Cooper and then on to Perry and /or Des Moines on the RRVT …

13/12/2025

Iowa Park Lady spent some quality time in Greene County in November - great photos too!!!