Summary
It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its scenic beauty and abundance of recreational opportunities.
The area boasts over 700 acres of land and a 650-acre lake that offers excellent fishing, boating, and swimming. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, camping, and picnicking in the park's beautiful natural surroundings.
Some of the specific points of interest in the area include the Icaria Creek Wildlife Area, which provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and migratory birds. The park also has several hiking trails, including the 2.5-mile Lake Shore Trail, which provides stunning views of the lake and surrounding countryside.
Interesting facts about the area include that the lake was created in the 1970s by damming the North Branch of the Middle Nodaway River. The park is also home to a variety of rare and endangered plant species, making it an important site for conservation efforts.
The best time of year to visit Lake Icaria County Recreation Area is in the summer months when the weather is warm and the lake is ideal for swimming and boating. However, the fall season also offers beautiful foliage and excellent fishing opportunities.
Overall, Lake Icaria County Recreation Area is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors in Iowa.
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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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