Hannen Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Hannen Park is a popular destination in the state of Iowa for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors.
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Summary
The park encompasses 146 acres and features a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, biking, and picnicking. Visitors can enjoy the park's beautiful lake, which is stocked with fish and has a beach area for swimming and sunbathing. There are also several playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking trails throughout the park.
Some specific points of interest in Hannen Park include the historic stone lodge, which was built in the 1930s and is available for rental for events and gatherings. The park also features a disc golf course and a BMX track, which are popular with visitors of all ages. Interesting facts about the area include the park's role in the construction of the Des Moines River levee system, as well as its designation as an Iowa Bird Conservation Area due to the presence of several rare bird species in the park.
The best time of year to visit Hannen Park depends on the visitor's interests and activities. Spring and fall are popular times for hiking and birdwatching, while summer is ideal for swimming and boating in the lake. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of winter activities, such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Overall, Hannen Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Iowa and engage in outdoor activities.
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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
Marengo City Park
Marengo Memorial Park
Ingraham Park