Conservator
December, 2020
Masks Required in all Pottawattamie County Buildings
Just a reminder, visitors are required to wear a mask or appropriate face covering when visiting Pottawattamie County's indoor facilities. This requirement extends to buildings at your county parks during your next visit. Visitors to Arrowhead Park & Botna Bend Park will see little change in their visits. Masks will be required to access the campground office but are not required inside Arrowhead Park's camping cabins due to their small size and the nature of their use. Visitors to Hitchcock Nature Center's Loess Hills Lodge will see the biggest change with masks required for entry due to the small size of the facilities. Masks will not be required for Hitchcock Nature Center's three camping cabins. 

Parties making use of indoor rental facilities such at the classroom spaces at Hitchcock Nature Center, Breezy Lodge at Arrowhead Park, & Olsen Lodge at Botna Bend Park will also have some additional safety precautions per the Governor of Iowa's recent proclamation. Indoor events are restricted to 15 or fewer participants at all your county parks & outdoor events are restricted to 30 or fewer participants. When attending an event indoors masks must be worn except when eating & drinking, children under the age of two & those with medical conditions preventing them from wearing a mask are exempt. Social distancing of a minimum of 6’ between households must be observed. Masks are also to be worn during outdoor events when minimum social distancing is difficult or impossible to maintain. 

For More Information Please Review the Following Documents:

Loess Hills Lodge Winter Hours &
Upcoming Closures at Hitchcock Nature Center
December brings some adjusted hours & closures to Hitchcock Nature Center & the Loess Hills Lodge, please mark your calendars. We appreciate your understanding & support.

Winter Hours at the Loess Hills Lodge Begin December 1st

Winter Hours at the Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock Nature Center will begin on December 1st. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we will still be observing some altered hours at the desk & the exhibit gallery will remain closed to the public until further notice.

Loess Hills Lodge Winter Hours:
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday
1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday
CLOSED Monday through Thursday

Hitchcock Nature Center park hours remain 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. throughout the winter season. The campground, trails, playground, observation deck, & Loess Hills Lodge restrooms will be open during regular park hours, 7 days a week so come out & enjoy nature!

Hitchcock Nature Center Trails Closed December 5th through 9th

All trails at Hitchcock Nature Center will be closed December 5th through 9th for shotgun season. During this time only pre-registered hunters will be permitted on the trails network and we ask that all park visitors abide by this restriction for their safety.

The Loess Hills Lodge welcome desk & gift shop, observation tower & deck, playground, & campground will all be open regular business hours during this time.

Holiday Closures at the Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock Nature Center

The Loess Hills Lodge welcome desk & gift shop will be closed the following holidays:

Friday, December 25th
Friday, January 1st

Hitchcock Nature Center campground, trails, playground, observation deck, & Loess Hills Lodge restrooms will be open regular hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. during these holidays.
Join us for Hikin' with a Nature Nerd
in 2021
Go off the beaten path & explore the far reaches of your county parks during Hikin' With a Nature Nerd. New for 2021 this series of Naturalist led hikes is aimed at exploring the rhythm of nature in southwest Iowa. Each hike will set out to explore new areas of your county parks & habitat areas & will include exploration of our native ecosystem through the changing seasons. Each hike will be a unique adventure, get ready to get off trail & see what nature has in store for you. 

Each Hikin' With a Nature Nerd session is unique & you are invited to join us for as many as you are able to but it is not necessary to attend every event. Each hike will last 1 to 2 hours with the distance traveled being dictated by the interests of the group & the will of nature. These hikes will include pedestrian travel over uneven terrain, including off trail travel. Hikes may at times be strenuous but pacing will be set by the group making them perfect for any hiker, from novice to experienced. Water bottles, bug spray, & sunblock are all recommended, please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear. 

Cost for these events is $5.00 per person, per hike & includes park admission. Attendees must be age 14 & over. & online pre-registration is required. This new programming series kicks off on January 6th so register online today! 
Snowshoe Rental at Hitchcock Nature Center
Explore the winter landscape on your own snowshoe adventure at Hitchcock Nature Center. Snowshoes are available for guest rental at the Loess Hills Lodge at Hitchcock Nature Center during regular business hours.

December through February
Friday & Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Snowshoes are available for daily rental during the hours listed above. Snowshoe rentals MUST BE RETURNED TO THE LOESS HILLS LODGE BY END OF REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. Rental fee for all snowshoes is $6.00 per day. To rent snowshoes guests please visit the welcome desk at the Loess Hills Lodge. Renters must read & complete a rental agreement/waiver, pay the rental fee & leave an item for collateral. Accepted items are keys, photo ID, or a credit card.
 
Rental Information: 
  • There must be a minimum of 4 to 6 inches of snow on the ground for snowshoes to be rented. Staff & volunteers at the lodge at the time of your visit make the determination & may decide conditions are not safe for snowshoe rentals.
  • Renters must be age 18 & over, guests under 18 must have snowshoe waiver signed by a parent or guardian and be under adult supervision at all times.
  • Renters are responsible for all damages beyond normal wear & tear up to a replacement charge of $150.00 per pair. Damages are assessed by staff.
  • Snowshoes that are lost will be subject to a replacement cost of $150.00 per pair. 
  • Snowshoes not returned by end of business will be charged for another days rental.
Upcoming Programs
Hitchcock Nature Center Trails Closed
Daily
December 5th through 9th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Trails at Hitchcock Nature Center will be closed to visitors due to shotgun season. Read More ...
Winter Bird Feeding & the Science of Snow
9:00 a.m.
December 5th
Online Program
Learn how to create the perfect winter bird feeding station, the secrets of snow, animal adaptations in winter, & more during this online program. Read More ...
Full Moon Night Hike
6:00 p.m.
December 18th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
The full moon shines down from her place in the sky & if the weather cooperates, will illuminate your path through the trees as you explore Hitchcock Nature Center.  Read More ...
New Year's Eve Midnight Hike
11:30 p.m.
December 31st
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Ring in the new year at Hitchcock Nature Center on a special midnight hike. Read More ...
Homeschool in the Hills: Winter Wildlife
10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
January 5th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Area homeschool students and educators are invited to join us on a winter hike to learn about how wild animals survive winter. Read More ...
Homeschool in the Hills: Winter Wildlife
10:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
January 6th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Area homeschool students and educators are invited to join us on a winter hike to learn about how wild animals survive winter.  Read More ...
Hikin' With a Nature Nerd
6:00 p.m.
January 6th
Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek
Go off the beaten path & explore the unexplored reaches of your county parks during this unique guided hike series. Read More ...