STONE STATE PARK
Stone State Park is a scenic natural area located in the Loess Hills of western Iowa, near Sioux City. Spanning approximately 1,069 acres, it offers visitors diverse landscapes including prairie grasslands, oak savanna habitats and forested areas rich with wildlife.
Established in 1935 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs to develop rural lands for public use; Stone State Park has since become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park features rugged terrain ideal for hiking and mountain biking across its multi-use trails.
The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center within the park serves as an educational hub highlighting local ecology through interactive exhibits and programming. Campgrounds provide overnight accommodations while picnic areas offer serene spots to enjoy the surroundings-making Stone State Park a well-rounded retreat into nature.
Day-UseFishingyes
Huntingyes
Hiking Trailyes
Swimming Beachyes
Bridle Trailsyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Electric Sitesyes
Full Hookup Sitesyes
WinterActivitiesyes
The campground has 30 camp sites (9 with electric hookup). Starting February 13, 2006 advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You can fish in the Big Sioux River, offering opportunities for catfish and smallmouth bass. Little Sioux River is home to walleye and northern pike. There are also several ponds stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish or trout depending on the season.
Stone State Park is located near Le Mars, Sioux City and South Sioux City
Stone State Park is a great place for a family picnic. Three open shelters are available and may be reserved for a fee. Picnic areas are located throughout the park and many offer beautiful views of the Loess Hills and surrounding area. Picnic areas contain tables and grills for use by the public.
Trails in the park are used by a variety of visitors and not all uses are compatible with one another. For the safety of all park visitors, and the protection of the park's resources; bicyclists, snowmobilers, and horseback riders are required to stay on trails designated for their use. Snowmobiling is also permitted on unplowed roadways unless marked otherwise. Trails may be closed temporarily by the park ranger if conditions are wet or otherwise unsafe. Call the park office for the latest trail conditions.
Stone State Park contains 6 miles of equestrian trails, 6 miles of mountain bike and snowmobile trails and 8 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails.
Visitors are attracted to the rugged topography of Stone Park, which is typical of the Loess Hills of western Iowa. The park offers many scenic vistas of wooded valleys, dry prairie ridges, the Big Sioux River, and the neighboring states of South Dakota and Nebraska. The 220 mile-long Loess Hills Scenic Byway passes through the park.
A visit to Stone Park would not be complete without a visit to the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. The center features a variety of interpretive displays, including a "walk-under" prairie, a 400-gallon aquarium of native fish, and natural history dioramas. A children's discovery area provides opportunity to handle furs, antlers, fossils, and other artifacts. Two miles of hiking trails exist around the nature center. The hours are: Tues. - Friday, 9a.m.-4p.m., Weekends, 1-4 p.m. Closed Mondays and Holidays. The center is managed by the Woodbury County Conservation Board. For more information call (712) 258-0838.
Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting various species like woodpeckers, warblers and hawks. The park is also home to owls and turkeys.
The park is located in the northwest corner of Sioux City, along Iowa Highway 12, four miles north of Interstate Highway 29. The park consists of 1,069 acres in Woodbury and Plymouth Counties.
Lots of trails and back country make this large park one of a kind, especially since it is within the Sioux City boundaries. Many birds and other animals can be seen here in the wooded valleys and the beautiful prairie hilltops of the Loess Hills.
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