Camping outdoors is the very best way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Iowa. There’s a very special place located in central Iowa that offers tons of recreation opportunities, and when you camp overnight, you’ll be able to gaze at thousands of stars in the heavens above.
Whiterock Conservancy is a 5,500 acre preserve nestled along the banks of the Middle Raccoon River just 1.5 miles south of Coon Rapids.
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
This place is absolutely filled with natural beauty, from the river to the woods to the open fields.
mlhauge/flickr
You’ll want to stay all day and play here! Take your canoe or kayak out on the river…
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
…play a game of disc golf…
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
…go for a hike on one of several tree-lined trails…
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
…or ride your mountain bike or horse along the equestrian and bike trails.
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
You’ll want to spend some quiet time observing the flora and fauna at the conservancy.
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
You’ll even see a small herd of bison grazing here!
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
You won’t want the fun to end after just one day, so stay overnight! The conservancy offers several rooms at the Garst Farmhouse, and rents a cottage, carriage house and two farmhouses to overnight visitors.
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
The Oak Ridge RV Campground offers 13 electric hookup sites for RVs of all sizes. The campground includes shower houses and even has eight horse pens where guests can keep their horses overnight.
Whiterock Conservancy
You might prefer to pitch your tent at one of the campgrounds. This is the Star Field Campground, which provides some wide-open spaces so you can gaze at the starry skies all night long. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, and the campground offers a shower house and restrooms.
Whiterock Conservancy
When the sun starts to set over the conservancy, this place becomes even more magical.
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
Because of the lack of light pollution, you’ll be able to see thousands of stars in the night sky.
mlhauge/flickr
The conservancy even hosts star parties.
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
Through the high-powered telescopes, you’ll see even more heavenly beauty. You’ll want to stay up all night long for this star show!
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
Have you ever visited Whiterock Conservancy? We’d love to hear about your trip! To learn more about the conservancy, visit its website, and follow its Facebook page to keep track of the latest events.
Whiterock Conservancy/Facebook
mlhauge/flickr
Whiterock Conservancy
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