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Ledges
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Facilities and Activities
Stone bridge at Ledges Park
The wildlife and plant communities are interwoven with the human history of
Ledges. Humans have appreciated this unique area for thousands of years.
Archeological evidence found within the park dates to around 4,000 years ago. At
the time of European settlement, the Ledges area was inhabited by the Sauk, Fox
(now the Mesqwakie) and Sioux. Native American mounds in the vicinity contain
artifacts acting as silent reminders of the area's past inhabitants.
The beauty of the canyons and bluffs of Ledges very quickly became a major
attraction to the growing local communities. Ledges was proposed as a state park
as early as 1914. The first park custodian, Carl Fritz Henning, was appointed in
1921. In 1924, the Ledges officially became one of Iowa's first state parks.
Park facilities constructed of native timber and field stone by the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's are still standing today. These examples
of fine craftsmanship include an arch stone bridge, shelter in Oak Woods, stone
trail steps and the stone shelter in lower Ledges.
Ledges has a long history of being flooded by the nearby Des Moines River. The
major flood water levels have been recorded on a "flood pole" located in the
lower area of the park.
Picnicking/Shelters/Lodge
Picnic areas are located throughout the park. The Oak Woods picnic shelter and
nearby restroom, located in the eastern area of the park, are fully accessible.
Two open picnic shelters may be reserved for a fee through the park manager.
Stone shelter in lower Ledges.
Camping
Ledges offers 94 campsites; 40 with electrical hookups (2 of which are fully
accessible), 42 non-electric and 12 hike-in. Modern rest rooms, showers, a
trailer dump station and a playground are located in the campground. Starting
February 13, 2006 advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park
reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for
self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Trails
Ledges, one of Iowa's most popular state parks, has attracted millions of
visitors. Thirteen miles of hiking trails lead up and down steep slopes to
scenic overlooks and provide access to spectacular views of Pea's Creek
"canyon". While most of the trails include steep portions, a fully accessible
interpretive trail around Lost Lake is located at the southern part of the park.
River Activities (boating, fishing)
The Des Moines River flows through the west edge of the park and offers fine
stream fishing and canoeing opportunities.
Hutton Memorial
The Hutton Memorial is located along a trail on the north side of the canyon. It
honors Murray Lee Hutton, a strong conservationist and first director of the
Iowa State Conservation Commission in 1935.
With its sandstone cliffs, native plant communities and deep wooded river
valley, Ledges is a truly unique place. The winding road along Pea's Creek
offers motorists breathtaking views of the "canyon" and the Des Moines River
Valley.
The sandstone "Ledges" rise nearly 100 feet above the floor of the streambed.
The sandstone was deposited 300 million years ago following the retreat of the
shallow sea that covered much of the midwest. About 13,000 years ago, glacial
meltwater began to cut down through the sandstone, forming the park's dramatic
cliffs and valleys.
The present vegetation at Ledges is a mixture of prairies, woodlands and
clearings. Dry south and west-facing slopes of oak and hickory combine with cool
north and east-facing slopes of maple and basswood. This blend of northern and
southern forest types provides spectacular autumn leaf colors.
Nearby Towns
Boone, located four miles north of the park.
Don Williams County Park has a 160-acre lake and a nine hole public golf course.
It is located five miles north of Ogden, which is 10 miles west of the park.
Ames, 15 miles east.
Madrid is 11 miles south.
The Iowa Arboretum, Camp Mitigwa and the State 4-H Camp are located south of
Ledges. The Camp Fire Girls and Boys Camp Hantesa is just north of the park.
Contact Information
1519 250th St.
Madrid, IA 50156
ph. 515/432-1852
fax 515/432-0757
E-mail address: Ledges@dnr.state.ia.us |
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