The Linn County Conservation Board manages more than 30 areas totaling over 8,000 acres. These include parks, preserves, natural areas, and linear parks. Park profiles range from wetlands and a creek valley to hilly, densely wooded terrain.
Nature Parks with a Range of Features
In northeastern Linn County, along Buffalo Creek, lies 128-acre Buffalo Creek Park. Its flat, 1.2-mile gravel trail runs along the creek and through wetlands. The park provides habitat for wild turkeys, deer, nesting Canada geese, beavers, and foxes. There is also a kayak launch.
The 352-acre Morgan Creek Park lies in the Morgan Creek valley, just west of the Cedar Rapids city limits in Linn County. Its trails extend for more than four miles and can be used year-round. The 1,018-acre Pinicon Ridge Park lies along the Wapsipinicon River. Its terrain is hilly and densely wooded, and it has a diverse wildlife population. At 1,018 acres, the park is significantly larger than Buffalo Creek, at 128 acres, and Morgan Creek, at 352 acres.
For planning your visit, it’s worth comparing the seasons: while the trails at Morgan Creek Park can be used year-round, the Watercraft Concession at Pinicon Ridge Park rents kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and paddleboards during the summer months. Operations depend on weather and staffing.
Trails by Length and Season
At Wanatee Park, the four-mile trail is suitable for hiking, horseback riding, nature observation, running, and cross-country skiing. The trail network also includes six miles of mountain bike trails and a skills park.
The Cedar Valley Nature Trail is 68 miles long; this includes the section from Cedar Rapids to the Johnson County line. In spring, summer, and fall, you can walk, run, bike, and inline skate there. When comparing trail lengths, also pay attention to what the figure includes: Buffalo Creek has a single 1.2-mile trail, Morgan Creek has more than four miles of trails, and the Cedar Valley Nature Trail’s 68 miles include the section mentioned above.
Names and History
Wanatee Park is named after Adeline Wanatee (1910–1996), an artist and advocate for the rights of Indigenous people and women. In 1993, she was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.
The historic Center Point Historic Depot houses the Center Point Historical Society Museum and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. In Cedar Rapids, Brucemore is a 26-acre estate centered around a historic Queen Anne-style mansion dating from 1886.
Discover more destinations: Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Monona County, Ida County, Jefferson County, Kossuth County, Lyon County, Guthrie
For the broader travel overview: Iowa.
