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Palisades-kepler State Park |
Palisades-kepler State Park
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Facilities and Activities
Picnicking/Shelters/Lodge
Palisades-Kepler State Park is a beautiful place for a family cookout.
Picnickers can enjoy themselves, while at the same time, enjoying views of the
beautiful Cedar River and the tree-lined bluffs along it. An open picnic shelter
is available and may be reserved for a fee through the park office.
The lodge at Palisades-Kepler is a beautiful stone structure built in the 1930's
by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It makes a fine setting for group events
such as wedding receptions and family reunions. Reservations must be made
through the park office.
Camping
The campground at Palisades-Kepler is a fine place for a weekend outing or a
two-week vacation. It has 44 campsites, 26 with electrical hookups. Modern
shower and restroom facilities are available, as well as a trailer dump station.
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.
Cabins
Palisades-Kepler has four family cabins available for weekly rentals. The
cabins, which can accommodate up to four persons, feature a shower, restroom,
stovetop and refrigerator. Cabin users must provide their own bedding, towels
and other camping items. The cabins can be reserved for a fee through the
Internet at www.reserveiaparks.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-IAPARKS. For
more background information on the the park reservation system click here. The
cabins are a great place for an economical family vacation.
Trails
Palisades-Kepler is a wonderful place to hike. On the six miles of trails,
walkers can often see a variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer and
wild turkeys. Many species of trees, shrubs and flowers are also present along
with innumerable species of songbirds.
River Activities ( boating, fishing)
The Cedar River offers some excellent fishing for a variety of species,
including channel catfish, bass and bluegills. Anglers often try their luck by
boat or along the shore above and below the old dam on the Cedar River. A modern
boat-launching ramp provides convenient river access.
Palisades-Kepler State Park lies along the beautiful Cedar River in Linn County.
The 840-acre park has dramatic river bluffs, deep ravines, majestic hardwood
trees, a large variety of wildflowers and an abundance of wildlife.
Palisades-Kepler State Park is also important for its prehistoric past. A molar
tooth of a mammoth was once found here and the exposed rocks along the Cedar
River are laden with fossils of millions of years of history. The presence of
Indian mounds reminds us that this was a favorite haunt of Native Americans
hundreds of years ago.
History
In the late 1890s, James Sherman Minott acquired 160 acres of timberland on the
Cedar River and built a spacious inn for the accommodation of visitors. He also
established a boat rental and sold lots for the building of summer cottages.
Many people took advantage of this and soon the population of the area numbered
over 200. Afternoon outings on the Cedar River, capped by a quiet dinner at the
combined log cabin restaurant, general store, and hotel, were common in the
early 1900s. Noted American poet Carl Sandburg was a yearly visitor to the
"Palisades" during the 1920s and 1930s.
In 1922, Palisades-Kepler State Park was established. Much of Minot's original
land had been acquired and the State Board of Conservation had taken special
notice of the unique bold cliffs and proclaimed that "these palisades lining the
Cedar River are quite special." In September of 1928, the Board of Conservation
accepted the gift of property from the estate of Louis H. Kepler, essentially
doubling the size of the park. The Board added his name to the park name. Since
that time, almost 700 acres have been added to Palisades-Kepler.
In July 1934, a Civilian Conservation Corps company was established at
Palisades-Kepler. Three barracks and a mess hall were built; then, work started
on the building of many park facilities. The roads, hiking trails, entry
portals, lodge and other timber and stone structures remain to give the park
much of its rustic character. The C.C.C. camp of 200 young men closed in 1941.
Nearby Towns
Mount Vernon, home of Cornell College, is located 4 miles east of the park.
Cedar Rapids and Marion are located 12 miles west of the park. These cities
provide a variety of shopping, recreation and church opportunities.
Contact Information
700 Kepler Drive
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
ph. 319/895-6039
fax 319/895-9660
E-mail address: Palisades_Kepler@dnr.state.ia.us |
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