Carl Selland Park

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Parks

Iowa

Nearby: Campsite Park Will Baker Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Carl Selland Park is a public park located in the city of Ames, Iowa.

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Summary

The park is spread across an area of 152 acres and offers a wide range of recreational activities for visitors. The park is named after Carl Selland, who was a prominent figure in the Ames Parks and Recreation Department for many years.

One of the main reasons to visit Carl Selland Park is its beautiful natural surroundings. The park features a large lake, hiking trails, and picnic areas, making it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and many species of birds.

Some of the notable points of interest in Carl Selland Park include the Ada Hayden Heritage Park, which features a restored prairie, and the Furman Aquatic Center, which is a popular spot for swimming and other water activities. The park also has several playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, and a disc golf course.

Interesting facts about Carl Selland Park include its history as a former gravel pit, which has since been transformed into a vibrant park. The park is also home to a variety of plant species, including prairie grasses, wildflowers, and trees.

The best time of year to visit Carl Selland Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities during this time.

Overall, Carl Selland Park is a beautiful and diverse park that offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a relaxing picnic spot or an active day of hiking and swimming, this park is definitely worth a visit.

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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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