Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
Encyclopedia
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area is a state park
in Webster County, Iowa
in the United States
. With an area encompassing over 6000 acres (24.3 km²), the facility is one of Iowa's largest public outdoor recreation areas.
A relatively new recreational area, Brushy Creek did not have an easy beginning. In 1967, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources published a controversial proposal to flood Brushy Creek's forested canyon. The proposal was met with enough public opposition that the idea was debated for the next twenty years. The resultant compromise called for the DNR to protect a sensitive 260 acres (1.1 km²) parcel, construct a smaller lake of 690 acres (2.8 km²), and purchase more land to build equestrian trails (1,750 acres).
is located 5 miles (8 km) southwest on county road D45. Duncombe
is located 5 miles (8 km) north on county road P73. Fort Dodge
is located approximately 15 miles (24.1 km) northwest of Brushy Creek on Hwy 20. Webster City
is located approximately 25 miles (40.2 km) northeast on Hwy 20.
users can choose one of two modern camp facilities. The northern equestrian campground has a modern shower and restroom, 125 campsites (50 electrical), horse wash area, ample shade, a substantial hitch rail at every site (users are required to tie animals to rails) and a 100' by 200' arena. Water hydrants with potable water are available, as are picnic tables, grills, and a playground. In the future another shower/toilet building will be constructed.
The south campground has a modern shower and restroom with 62 electric, 22 non-electric sites, and 8 full water and sewer hookup sites with the same amenities as the northern campground. Advance campsite reservations can be reserved online through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Swimming is allowed in the designated beach area only. A large sandy beach is located on the west side of the lake.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in Webster County, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. With an area encompassing over 6000 acres (24.3 km²), the facility is one of Iowa's largest public outdoor recreation areas.
A relatively new recreational area, Brushy Creek did not have an easy beginning. In 1967, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources published a controversial proposal to flood Brushy Creek's forested canyon. The proposal was met with enough public opposition that the idea was debated for the next twenty years. The resultant compromise called for the DNR to protect a sensitive 260 acres (1.1 km²) parcel, construct a smaller lake of 690 acres (2.8 km²), and purchase more land to build equestrian trails (1,750 acres).
Nearby towns
LehighLehigh, Iowa
Lehigh is a city in Webster County, Iowa, United States. The population was 497 at the 2000 census.Located in a valley, Lehigh is divided in two by the Des Moines River, unusual for such a small town. Originally the two halves of Lehigh were two separate towns...
is located 5 miles (8 km) southwest on county road D45. Duncombe
Duncombe, Iowa
Duncombe is a city in Webster County, Iowa, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 474.-Geography:Duncombe is located at ....
is located 5 miles (8 km) north on county road P73. Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Dodge is a city and county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 25,206 in the 2010 census, an increase from 25,136 in the 2000 census. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S...
is located approximately 15 miles (24.1 km) northwest of Brushy Creek on Hwy 20. Webster City
Webster City, Iowa
Webster City is a city in Hamilton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,070 at the United States 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Hamilton County. Webster City is known as 'Boone River Country' with the Boone River meandering along the east side of the city from north to south...
is located approximately 25 miles (40.2 km) northeast on Hwy 20.
Picnicking and shelters
Brushy Creek offers picnic areas around the park, with tables and fire grills. Two open shelters can be reserved online through the park reservation system.Equestrian camping
EquestrianEquestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
users can choose one of two modern camp facilities. The northern equestrian campground has a modern shower and restroom, 125 campsites (50 electrical), horse wash area, ample shade, a substantial hitch rail at every site (users are required to tie animals to rails) and a 100' by 200' arena. Water hydrants with potable water are available, as are picnic tables, grills, and a playground. In the future another shower/toilet building will be constructed.
The south campground has a modern shower and restroom with 62 electric, 22 non-electric sites, and 8 full water and sewer hookup sites with the same amenities as the northern campground. Advance campsite reservations can be reserved online through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Non-equestrian camping
The non-equestrian campground has 47 sites including 39 electric sites, and 8 with full water and sewer hookups. This location makes the campground convenient for those using the nearby boat ramp and beach, and is also available for picnicking. Half of these campsites can be reserved online through the park reservation system, and the rest are available on a first come/first serve basis.Equestrian day use staging area
There is a day-use staging area near both equestrian campgrounds that users are free to use at no charge for the day. Facilities include seasonal restrooms. Additional staging areas are being developed in the southern area.Lake activities
Fishing is a popular activity at Brushy Creek. The creek and Des Moines River provide a challenge to the angler with smallmouth bass and panfish as favorite catches. Several boat ramps and fishing jetties are located around the 690 acres (2.8 km²) lake. A fishing pier is located on the west side of the lake, north of the beach area. There are fishing tournaments occurring almost every weekend out on the lake.Swimming is allowed in the designated beach area only. A large sandy beach is located on the west side of the lake.