Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 4, 2025
Matsell Bridge Natural Area is a 280-acre park located near Central City, Iowa.
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Summary
The area features a variety of ecosystems, including woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. It is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and birdwatching.
Some specific points of interest within Matsell Bridge Natural Area include the Matsell Bridge itself, which spans the Wapsipinicon River, and the newly constructed Interpretive Center, which provides information about the park's history and ecology.
There are also several trails within the park, including the Wapsi River Trail, which offers stunning views of the river and its surrounding landscape. Visitors can also fish in the river or explore the park's various ponds.
Matsell Bridge Natural Area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and a variety of bird species. Visitors may catch a glimpse of bald eagles, ospreys, or great blue herons.
The best time of year to visit Matsell Bridge Natural Area is in the spring, summer, or fall, when temperatures are mild and the park is in full bloom. However, winter can also be a beautiful time to visit, with snow-covered landscapes and opportunities for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
Overall, Matsell Bridge Natural Area is a beautiful and tranquil park that offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of Iowa, this park is definitely worth a visit.
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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.
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