Ashton-Wildwood County Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ashton-Wildwood County Park is a charming recreational area located in the state of Iowa that offers a range of activities.


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Summary

Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming in the beautiful natural surroundings. The park is spread over 43 acres, making it a perfect destination for families, friends, and solo travelers.

One of the most popular attractions in the park is the lake, which is stocked with fish. Anglers can catch a variety of species including bluegill, bass, and catfish. The park also has a playground, volleyball and basketball courts, and horseshoe pits. For those interested in hiking, there are several trails that offer scenic views of the park's landscape.

An interesting fact about Ashton-Wildwood County Park is that it was once a coal mine. The park's history is preserved with exhibits that showcase the mining equipment and artifacts that were used during that time.

The best time to visit the park is during the summer months (June-August) when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the park is open year-round and visitors can enjoy activities such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing during the winter months.

Overall, Ashton-Wildwood County Park is a wonderful destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its scenic trails, fishing spots, and recreational facilities, it is a great place to spend time with family and friends, or to simply unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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