Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
	Location of Brushy Creek State Recreation Area in Iowa
Location	Webster, Iowa, United States
Coordinates	42°23′29″N93°59′3″W / 42.39139°N 93.98417°W Coordinates: 42°23′29″N93°59′3″W / 42.39139°N 93.98417°W
Area	6,500 acres (26 km2)
Elevation	1,050 ft (320 m)
Governing body	Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Website	Brushy Creek State Recreational Area

Last updated March 16, 2019

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Brushy Creek State Recreation Area is a state park in Webster County, Iowa in the United States. With an area encompassing over 6,000 acres (24 km²), the facility is one of Iowa's largest public outdoor recreation areas.

State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational potential. There are state parks under the administration of the government of each U.S. state, some of the Mexican states, and in Brazil. The term is also used in the Australian state of Victoria. The equivalent term used in Canada, Argentina, South Africa and Belgium, is provincial park. Similar systems of local government maintained parks exist in other countries, but the terminology varies.

Iowa is a state in the Midwestern United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west. It is bordered by six states; Wisconsin to the northeast, Illinois to the east, Missouri to the south, Nebraska to the west, South Dakota to the northwest and Minnesota to the north.

The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States or America, is a country composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions. At 3.8 million square miles, the United States is the world's third or fourth largest country by total area and is slightly smaller than the entire continent of Europe's 3.9 million square miles. With a population of over 327 million people, the U.S. is the third most populous country. The capital is Washington, D.C., and the largest city by population is New York City. Forty-eight states and the capital's federal district are contiguous in North America between Canada and Mexico. The State of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east and across the Bering Strait from Russia to the west. The State of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U.S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, stretching across nine official time zones. The extremely diverse geography, climate, and wildlife of the United States make it one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries.

A relatively new recreational area, Brushy Creek did not have an easy beginning. In 1967, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources published a controversial proposal to flood Brushy Creek's forested canyon. The proposal was met with enough public opposition that the idea was debated for the next twenty years. The resultant compromise called for the DNR to protect a sensitive 260-acre (1.1 km²) parcel, construct a smaller lake of 690 acres (2.8 km²), and purchase more land to build equestrian trails (1,750 acres).

Nearby towns

Lehigh is located 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest on county road D45. Duncombe is located 5 miles (8.0 km) north on county road P73. Fort Dodge is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Brushy Creek on Hwy 20. Webster City is located approximately 25 miles (40 km) northeast on Hwy 20.

Lehigh is a city in Webster County, Iowa, United States. The population was 416 at the 2010 census.

Duncombe is a city in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States. The population was 410 at the 2010 census.

Fort Dodge is a city in and the county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 25,206 in the 2010 census, an increase from 25,136 in the 2000 census. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S. Routes 20 and 169.

Picnicking and shelters

Brushy Creek offers picnic areas around the park, with tables and fire grills. Two open shelters can be reserved online through the park reservation system.

Equestrian camping

Equestrian users can choose one of two modern camp facilities. The northern equestrian campground has a modern shower and restroom, 125 campsites (50 electrical), horse wash area, ample shade, a substantial hitch rail at every site (users are required to tie animals to rails) and a 100' by 200' arena. Water hydrants with potable water are available, as are picnic tables, grills, and a playground. In the future another shower/toilet building will be constructed.

Equestrianism, more often known as horse riding or horseback riding, refers to the skill and sport of riding, driving, steeplechasing or vaulting with horses. This broad description includes the use of horses for practical working purposes, transportation, recreational activities, artistic or cultural exercises, and competitive sport.

The south campground has a modern shower and restroom with 62 electric, 22 non-electric sites, and 8 full water and sewer hookup sites with the same amenities as the northern campground. Advance campsite reservations can be reserved online through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Non-equestrian camping

The non-equestrian campground has 47 sites including 39 electric sites, and 8 with full water and sewer hookups. This location makes the campground convenient for those using the nearby boat ramp and beach, and is also available for picnicking. Half of these campsites can be reserved online through the park reservation system, and the rest are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Equestrian day use staging area

There is a day-use staging area near both equestrian campgrounds that users are free to use at no charge for the day. Facilities include seasonal restrooms. Additional staging areas are being developed in the southern area.

Lake activities

Fishing is a popular activity at Brushy Creek. The creek and Des Moines River provide a challenge to the angler with smallmouth bass and panfish as favorite catches. Several boat ramps and fishing jetties are located around the 690-acre (2.8 km²) lake. A fishing pier is located on the west side of the lake, north of the beach area. There are fishing tournaments occurring almost every weekend out on the lake.

Swimming is allowed in the designated beach area only. A large sandy beach is located on the west side of the lake.

Trails

With approximately 45 miles (72 km) of multi-use trails, allowable trail activities include horseback riding, hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and mountain biking. Mountain biking is allowed on all multiple use trails. A map of these trails is on display at the information kiosks located in the equestrian campgrounds.

Hunting

Hunting is also a popular activity at Brushy Creek. Hunters can pursue a variety of game species ranging from pheasants, quail, rabbits and squirrels to white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. A number of designated parking areas are located throughout Brushy Creek to provide convenient access for the hunter.

Shooting range

Two ranges are located at the Brushy Creek State Recreational Area. One is south of the park office approximately 1/2 mile north of County Rd. D-46. The other is a trap range located in the northern section of the park.

External links

Brushy Creek State Recreational Area

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