Outdoorsy things to do in Washington County

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From English River Outfitters, we focus on safe, fun outdoor adventures and activities for our veterans and their families. Washington is full of history with small town charm. We offer weekend getaways and family retreats for our veterans, disabled veterans and their families such as Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Haunted trail, camp-outs, fishing, trail hiking, horseback riding as well as hunting. Just a short drive to Mar Park offers excellent fishing, Sockum Ridge Park offers great trails designed for hiking, bird watching and horseback riding. If shopping is what you are looking for Washington has many small shops around the Square. If you are looking for day trips…Just a short drive you have historic towns like Kalona, an Amish community; West Branch, President Hoover’s Birthplace; Mt. Pleasant, Old Threshers Reunion; Riverside, if you want to try your luck at the Casino, a bit further is the Amana Colonies, an old German settlement.
Things I like about Washington county. Washington county has a great little secret called Clemons Creek where one can go to get away and walk trails or test your accuracy doing target practice with your rifle or handgun or take your bow and arrow, is a great stress reliever. Other outdoor places I enjoy are going to Marr Park and walk the paved trail around the pond that can go for over a mile to Ainsworth and while there do a little fishing in the ponds. Take your bike and ride through Washington county on the Kewash trail from Washington to Keota or go to Lake Darling and ride there paved trail or hike for a few mile on the unpaved trails, they also have great fishing, swimming area, rental of canoes paddle boards, a lodge and cabins to rent or just tent it in their campground, these are some of the places I go to get away from all my electronic devices.
I moved to the Washington area in the fall of 2014 when I assumed the position of Park Ranger at Lake Darling State Park. One of the first things I looked at when coming to a new area of the state was what there was to do when I got off of work. I’ve always had an interest in the outdoors and grew up hunting, fishing, and exploring many of the unique public areas that Iowa has to offer. I quickly learned that Washington County has many of these areas to explore as well. I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work in an environment where thousands of people come to recreate every year. Lake Darling boasts opportunities to hike, bike, fish, camp, and swim to every visitor that enters. For folks who enjoy getting outdoors, I would be remiss if I did not mention the great work that the Washington County Conservation Board does and the recreational opportunities that they provide. Marr Park, along with the Conservation Education Center, is a great place to take walk and learn about a variety of natural resource related topics. Other areas such as Fern Cliff, Sockum Ridge, and the English River Wildlife Area provide several other recreational opportunities. No matter what outdoor activity one chooses to participate in, there is most definitely an area within distance that will accommodate. I would encourage people to get out and enjoy the natural world around them that so many have worked hard to create, enhance, and preserve for future generations.Hope this helps, these are just a few things to do just in Washington County.Kevin Erpelding
Archer Appliance and Electronics

Category: OutdoorsyFebruary 25, 2019