Louisa County Conservation

10/20/2026

Want free camping? Love Halloween? We've had two spots come open for the Halloween Hike at Virginia Grove this weekend and would love for you to fill them!

All we ask is that you decorate your campsite and hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters on Saturday night from 6-8! There is also a contest for best campsite and rumors of a pumpkin carving contest.

No charge, all you need to do is call us and reserve your site. Your choice of site 6 or site 7. First called, first served. Our office will open tomorrow at 9:00 so call then!

We will have more information for you when you reserve including expectations, campground rules, arrival times, expected numbers, etc.

10/15/2026

Rain can’t stop us from learning and having fun!

10/14/2026

The Columbus Community School District students stepped up when asked to haul in mulch and build the pathways in the school courtyard in a little over an hour! The absolute best part is that the courtyard classroom project also has the first of many native plants. Stay tuned for more!

10/05/2026

Chinkapin Bluffs will be the host site for the Mike Jay Invitational cross country meet. From about 4-7pm tonight, the upper portion of the trail and the entire park will be full of runners and spectators. There will be parking along the road, so use caution in the area. Please also respect the runners and use alternate trails tonight if you come to visit the park.

09/24/2026

Louisa County Conservation is seeking bids for a 3-year contract for farm ground located at Cairo Woods, Chinkapin Bluffs, and Indian Slough. For more information on acreage, CSR2, bid requirements, and contract covenants, visit the website at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Louisa/Content/Conservation-Board

Sealed bids are due at noon on October 12th, 2026, and will be opened at the Board meeting that evening at 4:00 pm.
For questions, please contact: Jacob Ewart at 319-523-8381 or [email protected]

09/23/2026

Interested in serving on the Louisa County Conservation Board?

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors is seeking applicants for a volunteer Louisa County Conservation Board member. The term begins immediately to fill a vacancy till December 31, 2029. Applicants must be a resident of Louisa County and at least 18 years of age and show a “demonstrated interest in conservation matters” as required by the Code of Iowa. The five-member board serves without pay and is responsible for establishing the policies and goals of the Louisa County Conservation Board.

Applications and information will be available at the Louisa County Auditor’s office in the courthouse or online at https://tinyurl.com/4psx9ffe . Completed applications should be returned to the Auditor by Monday, October 5, 2026, for consideration. Appointment will be made in October. For more information about the conservation board, call 319-523-8381 or email [email protected].

09/18/2026

The Louisa County Conservation Board has updated its Rules and Regulations to make them clearer, cleaner, and easier for folks to understand and follow. A complete set of rules and regulations are available on https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Louisa

A few highlights:

Buddy camping: Campers can now have up to two camping units on one campsite, making it easier for family and friends to camp together. There will be an option to select this option at checkout when registering online.

Campground firewood: Campers may use hand tools to collect firewood from completely fallen, nonliving trees and limbs in or near the campground for use at that campground. Powered cutting equipment is still not allowed.

Playground and Campsite Safety: Hunting is now prohibited within 100 yards of open campsites and playgrounds, providing a buffer where families and children may be recreating.

Clearer animal rules: The rules clarify when pets must be leashed or confined and require owners to immediately clean up after their animals. We've had an increased number of complaints regarding pets roaming around off leash, especially in campgrounds.

Generally cleaner and clearer rules: The updated regulations simplify and organize many existing rules. They also address updates to our online system like allowing online reservations!

Keep enjoying those parks!!

09/15/2026

Ever considered hunting at Flaming Prairie? This year is your chance! Starting Oct 1st, 2026, LCCB is going to close the campground and shelters to allow access to hunters to legally and safely hunt the lowlands, forest, and water in this recreation area. This area has historically been closed to hunting for public safety – and we still have that in mind. Please observe all state laws and regulations. For more information about seasons, bag limits, and regulations, please visit https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/hunting-regulations-laws

The boat access will still be available all year pending road closures due to flooding and damage control. Keep in mind: there is still no hunting on the boat ramp. This is United States Army Corps of Engineers’ land and their rules for this specific boat ramp prohibits hunting.

As long as flooding isn’t an issue, the campground and shelters will open again Friday, May 28th, 2027, in advance of Memorial Day weekend!

Maps of the area and more information is available at https://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Louisa/Park/Flaming-Prairie

09/15/2026