Bon Marche Community Park
Rate this placeNearby: Sata Park Blueberry Street Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Bon Marche Community Park is a popular recreational area located in the state of Iowa.
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Summary
It offers visitors a range of activities to enjoy and is a great place to spend a day with family and friends.
One of the main reasons to visit Bon Marche Community Park is its beautiful scenery. The park is situated on the shores of Clear Lake, providing stunning views of the water and surrounding landscape. There are also several hiking trails and picnic areas for visitors to explore and enjoy.
Another popular attraction in the park is the disc golf course. Bon Marche Community Park boasts one of the best disc golf courses in Iowa, with 18 holes winding through the woods and along the lake. This is a great activity for both beginners and experienced players.
For those interested in history, Bon Marche Community Park is also home to the historic Surf Ballroom. This famous music venue was the site of the last performance by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper before they tragically died in a plane crash. Visitors can take a tour of the ballroom and learn about its rich musical history.
The best time of year to visit Bon Marche Community Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny. This is also the busiest time of year, so visitors should plan accordingly and arrive early to secure a good spot for picnicking or disc golf.
Overall, Bon Marche Community Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the state of Iowa. With its beautiful scenery, range of activities, and historic landmarks, it offers something for everyone to enjoy.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
Sata Park
Blueberry Street Park
Bird Station Park
Goodwood Park
Goodwood Playground