Springbrook State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Springbrook State Park |
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 Springbrook State Park
Location in Iowa
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| Location | Guthrie, Iowa, United States |
| Area | 920 acres (370 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,115 ft (340 m) |
| Established | 1926 |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Springbrook State Park |
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Springbrook State Park,
Civilian Conservation Corps Area |
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| Built | 1933-1941 |
| Built by | Civilian Conservation Corps |
| Architect | Central Design Office, Ames |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| MPS | CCC Properties in Iowa State Parks MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 90001671 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1990 |
Springbrook State Park is a fun state park in Iowa, USA. It is about 5 miles (8.0 km) west of the town of Yale. The park has a 17-acre (6.9 ha) lake fed by a spring. It also features rolling hills covered with trees along the Middle Raccoon River.
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Park History
Springbrook State Park was first called King's Park. It became one of Iowa's first state parks in 1926. The Iowa Conservation Board helped make this happen.
Many buildings and areas in the park were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This group worked from 1933 through the 1930s. Their work at Springbrook is so important that it is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Fun Activities at Springbrook
There are many ways to have fun at Springbrook State Park! You can explore over 12 miles (19 km) of hiking trails. In winter, there are also 4 miles (6.4 km) of snowmobiling trails.
Exploring Nature
The park has different types of landscapes. You will find woodlands, sandstone areas, and open prairie fields. Look for trees like oak, maple, hickory, and basswood in the wooded parts.
Water Fun
You can go swimming, canoeing, and fishing in the Middle Raccoon River. There is also a man-made lake on Kings Creek. The lake is fed by a spring and is 17-acre (6.9 ha) big.
There are three fishing spots called jetties along the lake. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake for boats. The Middle Raccoon River has a boat ramp and a good spot for fishing called a riffle.
You might catch fish like crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, bullhead, and catfish.
Picnics and Swimming
Near the lake, you will find two picnic shelters. There are also other picnic areas with tables, grills, water, and restrooms. You can also swim and sunbathe at the sandy beach by the lake. Just remember, there are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk!
Wildlife Watching
Springbrook is a great place to see animals! You will likely spot squirrels, rabbits, red fox, gray fox, coyote, raccoon, beaver, and muskrat.
Look up to see birds like the red-tailed hawk, bald eagle, wild turkey, and Canada geese. You will almost certainly see deer wandering through the park. Park rangers also help manage the deer population in certain areas.
Other Park Features
The park has a shooting range for target practice. There is also a conservation education center. This center helps people learn more about nature and how to protect it.
Camping at Springbrook
You can camp at Springbrook State Park all year long! There are 120 campsites available. 81 of these sites have electricity for your RV or tent.
About half of the campsites are available first-come, first-served. You can reserve other sites ahead of time. The busiest time for camping is from May 1 to September 30.
The large campground has modern showers and restrooms. There is also a place to empty RV tanks. For fun, you can use the basketball court, horse shoe pits, and sand volleyball court. The campground even has wireless internet and a camp store for your needs.
Biking Trails
Springbrook State Park is part of a big bike route called the Central Iowa Bike Route. This route is 160-mile (260 km) long. It connects Springbrook State Park with Big Creek State Park and Ledges State Park.
The town of Yale is about 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Springbrook. Yale is where you can start on the 90-mile (140 km) Raccoon River Valley Trail.
