Pheasant Hill Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Pheasant Hill Park is a beautiful park located in the state of Iowa that offers visitors many reasons to come and explore.
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Summary
One of the main reasons to visit is to experience the stunning natural beauty of the park, including its rolling hills, lush forests, and picturesque streams. The park also offers visitors a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, and camping.
Some of the specific points of interest to see in Pheasant Hill Park include the park's many trails, which wind through wooded areas, over hills, and along streams. The park also has several picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, the park is home to a number of unique and interesting wildlife species, including pheasants, deer, and various bird species.
One interesting fact about Pheasant Hill Park is that it was originally part of a much larger tract of land that was donated to the Iowa State University Foundation by the J.C. Penny Corporation in 1973. The park was created as a way to preserve the natural beauty of the land and provide a place for visitors to enjoy it.
The best time of year to visit Pheasant Hill Park depends on what activities you are interested in doing. Spring and summer are the best times for hiking, biking, and fishing, while fall is a great time to see the park's stunning autumn foliage. Winter is also a good time to visit, as the park offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Pheasant Hill Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and charm of Iowa's natural landscapes. With its many recreational opportunities, unique wildlife, and stunning scenery, it is a great place to spend a day or a weekend exploring.
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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
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Hills Access
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Lake Macbride State Park Campground
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