The Linn County Conservation Department has announced the new Firefly Campground along with Coneflower and Ridgewood Cabins at Pinicon Ridge Park by Central City will open for use June 12. Online reservations are now being accepted. These projects, located along the new Firefly Road within the park at the North Access west of Highway 13, has been under construction the past two years.
The 2015 Pinicon Ridge Park Master Plan originally outlined a campground and cabin project. “Camping has been consistently identified as a priority in parks due to growing public interest in outdoor experiences and nature-based tourism,” said Linn County Conservation Executive Director Dennis Goemaat. “This latest park development helps fulfill community and visitor demands for additional and upgraded camping opportunities in these natural settings. As these outdoor recreational trends evolve, parks continue to experience a significant increase in visitors,” said Goemaat.
The new Firefly Campground is the only online reservation-only camp- ground at Pinicon Ridge Park. 32 new campsites on
concrete pads feature full hook-ups (water, electricity, and sewer) at $40 a night: two-night minimum. A new restroom/showerhouse building with four separate rooms has been added to the campground. A new play- ground is currently under construction and tentatively scheduled for use upon the campground opening. Two new group camps near these campsites will open at a later date. Flying Squirrel and Plains Campgrounds continue to be first come-first served at the park.
Two new wood-framed all-season cabins, Cone- flower and Ridgewood, are located just west of Firefly Campground on the bluff near the Wapsipinicon River. Features include four bedrooms (including bunk beds), bathrooms with showers, kitchen, a recreation room, a walkout basement, patio, grill, and fire pit. These cabins will accommodate 10-12 persons at $250 a night (two-night minimum or three-night minimum on holiday weekends) or $1,500 for a week-long stay.
Reservations and more about facility rentals can be found by visiting the Facility Rentals page at LinnCountyIowa.gov/Conservation (which links to the MyCountyParks.com website used for reservations).
The $4 Million campground and cabin project is funded in part by the Linn County Water and Land Legacy Bond. In 2016, Linn County voters approved a $40 Million bond issue to support water quality initiatives, park improvements, and trail development.
To learn more about Linn County Conservation camping opportunities, rules and regulations, and prices and fees, visit the Camping page at LinnCountyIowa.gov/Conservation.