Park of the Week: Yellow Banks

We're going to stray from the state parks this week and talk instead about a hidden gem. Yellow Banks Park is a county park practically nestled in the suburbs of Des Moines. This park features camping, hiking, fishing (both river access and a five acre pond), picnic shelters and even a ball field for baseball or softball!

For camping, 48 electric sites are offered along with 12 primitive campsites along the river. Something rather unique to this park is the river access campsites. There are five sites are for boat access only, and each features picnic benches, fire rings and a tent site! This would be perfect after a long day of boating or fishing, to be able to pull right up to your tent site and not worry about landing the boat. Even better, you could swing by and use the fire rings for a shore lunch with fresh fillets or burgers over a charcoal flame!

There are also six hiking trails through woodland areas, to the pond and even one to an american indian burial ground. Almost three miles of trails will surely keep you busy for awhile, especially if you take your camera. Bluffs offer scenic vistas, and the birdwatching is reportedly fantastic. The picnic shelters are available by reservation for any big gatherings, family reunions or parties you might want to host.

More information about this park and others can be found here: http://www.mycountyparks.com/County/Polk/Park/Yellow-Banks-Park/Activities.aspx  This site offered a wide variety of pictures for almost every feature on the campgrounds which I found very useful, so mycountyparks.com is now on my favorite links section on the right. Check it out!
I know it will be hot this weekend into next week, but get outside and enjoy the Iowa Outdoors! In my next blog we'll talk more about cool fishing strategies when the weather gets hot.