Limestone bluffs, restored prairie, and floodplain forest define the Lime Creek Conservation Area and Nature Center. The changing landscape between open and wooded areas reflects the diversity of natural areas in Cerro Gordo County: the conservation system includes a total of 37 parks, trails, and wildlife areas covering 3,934 acres.
Prairies, Rivers, and Habitats
The Lime Creek Conservation Area and Nature Center spans 440 acres. Its landscape includes wooded uplands, open fields, restored prairie, floodplain forest, and limestone bluffs. A nine-mile trail network runs through the area. The Lime Creek Nature Center features exhibits, live and preserved animals, and a library on natural resources—another perspective on the region’s natural environment, alongside the landscape outside.
Other conservation areas have their own distinct features. Zirbel Slough is a 330-acre prairie marsh and habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife. Hoffman Prairie covers 36 acres and includes a prairie pothole, a shallow marsh surrounded by native tallgrass prairie. Ventura Marsh covers more than 1,000 acres and includes an 800-acre marsh that is important to Clear Lake’s water quality.
Water and limestone come together along the Shellrock River: the Shellrock River Greenbelt and Preserve covers 590 acres along the limestone bluffs by the river, with woods, meadows, and ponds. The Spring Creek Preserve is a smaller, 18-acre wildlife area with a spring and limestone bluffs; it offers fishing access on the Winnebago River. Blue-Bill Wildlife Area has a 40-acre lake stocked with largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish.
Trails and Activities on the Water
Several routes offer different ways to experience the landscape. The Trolley Trail is a multi-use route from Mason City to Clear Lake for biking and hiking. It also connects to public trails in both communities. The Prairie Land Trail follows a disused railroad corridor for 21 miles. Its rural scenery includes summer prairie flowers; access is available where it crosses rural county roads.
The Shellrock River Greenbelt and Preserve has a 7.5-mile route for driving, hiking, canoeing, biking, or horseback riding. The preserve section includes primitive camping and a picnic area. At Clear Lake, Clear Lake State Park offers canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing, sailing, and lake-viewing excursions. Reservations are required for the park campground.
The Lady of the Lake offers another perspective on the lake with a public, hour-and-a-half round trip. In general, excursions run almost daily except Wednesdays, from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September; wind and weather may affect them. Check the current schedule before your trip.
Cultural Sites and History
In Clear Lake, the Surf Ballroom is designated a National Historic Landmark. On February 2, 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson gave their final performances there as part of the Winter Dance Party tour. The venue thus connects a specific moment in music history with its later recognition as a landmark.
The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum features a permanent collection of American art and rotating exhibitions; it also offers art classes and other art programs. A special collection includes Bil Baird hand puppets and marionettes. Those interested in architecture can explore the self-guided Prairie School Architectural Tour, which passes through the largest group of Prairie School-style homes on a contiguous site.
More stories await in Mason City. Music Man Square features an enclosed streetscape of River City, reconstructed from the set of Warner Bros.’ 1962 film The Music Man, as well as a Meredith Willson Museum. The restored Meredith Willson Boyhood Home is an 1895 Queen Anne house and the composer’s birthplace and childhood home.
The Iowa Trolley Park Railroad Museum tells the story of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad depot that served Clear Lake from 1913 to 1984. Rides on a track inspection car, a diesel locomotive, or a historic handcar are available by appointment; arrange them in advance.
An Annual Winter Event
The Color the Wind Kite Festival takes place annually on the third Saturday in February in Clear Lake. Visitors can see giant inflatable kites flown by kite enthusiasts from across the United States. Since dates and programs should be checked for each year’s event, it’s worth checking the latest event details if you’re planning your trip around it.
Discover more destinations: Mason City, Clear Lake, Fayette County, Marshall, Adair County, Hardin County, Winneshiek County, Palo Alto County
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