Ledges State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ledges State Park |
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A stone bridge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps
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 Ledges State Park
Location in Iowa
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| Location | Boone, Iowa, United States |
| Elevation | 1,047 ft (319 m) |
| Established | 1924 |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
Ledges State Park is a beautiful state park in Iowa, USA. It's located about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the city of Boone. The park is famous for its amazing sandstone gorge. This gorge was carved out by Pea's Creek, which flows into the Des Moines River. In some spots, the gorge is 100 feet (30 m) deep! You can see cool rock formations called concretions sticking out from the cliffs.
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Discovering Ledges State Park
Ledges State Park was one of the very first state parks in Iowa. It opened in 1924 and is still one of the most visited parks today.
A Helping Hand from the CCC
In the 1930s, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build many parts of the park. The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that gave young men jobs. They built many of the stone buildings and bridges you can still see in the park today. They also created miles of trails.
The Challenge of Flooding
The lower parts of Ledges State Park are often flooded by the Des Moines River. In the 1970s, a dam was built on the river to create Saylorville Lake. This dam has caused more frequent flooding in the park's low-lying areas.
The floods have changed how the lower park looks. Many trees have been lost, and some picnic areas are no longer used. Even though some parts flood, Ledges State Park is still a wonderful place to visit. Only a small part of the park gets covered even during the biggest floods. There's a special pole in the park that shows how high the water has risen during different floods over the years.
Exploring the Canyon Road
One of the best ways to see the park is by driving the winding canyon road. This road crosses Pea's and Davis creeks five times. Along the way, you'll see amazing sandstone walls that are 50 feet (15 m) high. These walls support even taller bluffs, which can be 100 feet (30 m) high!
Ancient History and Wildlife
Millions of years ago, an inland sea covered this area. The sandstone you see today was formed from that sea. Later, about 13,000 years ago, meltwater from the last ice age carved out the deep cliffs.
Long ago, the Sioux, Fox, and Sauk tribes lived in the Ledges State Park area. You can find some of their ancient burial mounds here. The park is also home to lots of wildlife. You might spot white-tailed deer, raccoons, beavers, and woodchucks. Many kinds of beautiful birds, like the pileated woodpecker, also live here.
Fun Things to Do
Ledges State Park has many fun activities for visitors.
Hiking and Nature
There are many hiking trails throughout the park. You can explore different types of nature, including woodlands with trees like basswood, maple, oak, and hickory. There are also open prairie areas and clearings.
Water Activities
The Des Moines River runs along the west side of the park. This makes it a great spot for canoeing and fishing.
Camping
If you want to stay overnight, the park offers both rustic and modern campsites. Some sites are available first-come, first-served, while others can be reserved ahead of time.
