Stone State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stone State ParkMount Talbot State Preserve |
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 Stone State Park
Mount Talbot State Preserve Location in Iowa
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| Location | Iowa, United States |
| Area | 1,069 acres (4.33 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,211 ft (369 m) |
| Established | 1935 |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Stone State Park |
Stone State Park is a beautiful state park in Iowa, USA. It's famous for its tall hills, called bluffs, and deep valleys, known as ravines, located right next to the Big Sioux River. The park covers about 1,069 acres (433 hectares) across Woodbury and Plymouth Counties. It's very close to Sioux City and offers great views of the border between South Dakota and Iowa.
This park is special because it sits near the northern end of the Loess Hills. It's a place where different landscapes meet: you'll find clay bluffs and open grasslands (prairies) blending into rocky hills and forests filled with bur oak trees along the Iowa side of the Big Sioux River.
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Exploring Stone State Park's Nature
Stone State Park is a fantastic place to see different kinds of plants and animals.
Plants of the Park
On the park's steep slopes and ridges, you can discover many native prairie plants. These include interesting species like yucca, penstemon, rough blazing star, silky aster, and the beautiful pasque flower.
Animals and Birds
The park is home to a variety of wildlife. You might spot wild turkey, white-tailed deer, coyote, and red fox. Birdwatchers will enjoy seeing birds like the turkey vulture, barred owl, rufous-sided (eastern) towhee, and the ovenbird.
Ancient Rocks and Fossils
The rocks you can see in the park are very old, dating back to the Cretaceous period. This was a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, about 145 to 66 million years ago! These rocks are made of materials like lignite (a type of coal), shale, sandstone, and limestone. They are also rich in marine fossils, which are the remains of ancient sea creatures. This tells us that this area was once covered by an ocean.
Activities at Stone State Park
Stone State Park is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. It has miles of trails perfect for hiking and horseback riding. It's a great place for day trips, overnight camping, mountain bike adventures, and family picnics.
Mount Talbot State Preserve
The northern part of Stone State Park, which stretches from Woodbury County into Plymouth County, is a special protected area called the Mount Talbot State Preserve. This preserve covers about 90 acres (36 hectares).
History of Mount Talbot
The land that includes both the state park and the preserve was bought by Daniel Talbot in 1885. The high, grassy ridge where his farm was located became known as Mount Talbot.
Protecting Nature
In the 1980s, experts from The Nature Conservancy and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources studied this area. They found it was very important for nature. Because of their findings, this section of Stone State Park was officially named a biological state preserve in 1989.
Unique Features of the Preserve
Mount Talbot State Preserve includes about 35 acres (14 hectares) of prairie on narrow ridge tops. These prairies are next to oak woodlands found in deep ravines. The preserve is home to over 75 different native plant species and 42 kinds of butterflies, making it a vibrant natural habitat.
Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center is a special place for learning about nature in Sioux City. It's located right inside Stone State Park.
What to See and Do
The nature center has a unique butterfly garden that's a highlight for visitors. From the well-marked trails, you can often see wild turkeys and white-tailed deer. It's a great place to explore and learn more about the local wildlife and plants.
