Hickory Ridge

Help create a natural spot with paddling access to Lake Red Rock

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This information was last updated August 11, 2010.

Photo by J. Scott Evans

1. Give. More than 90% of the funds for the $405,000 project are committed. Please help us raise the $36,000 remaining.

2. Sign up for e-mails on Hickory Ridge news and events.

3. Volunteer. Future volunteer events are being planned to help revive the oak-hickory woodland and wildlife area.

Creating a destination

We set out to purchase and restore 47 acres of oak-hickory woodland near Whitebreast Recreation Area that will provide a new destination for primitive camping and nature enjoyment. But now the vision for the site has expanded to more than 200 acres (see below for details)!

Join the partners to make Hickory Ridge a new Iowa destination.

People will compare Hickory Ridge with the rustic, secluded overnights that they’ve loved at national parks — away from motorboats, RVs and concrete. Activities such as picnicking, cross-country skiing, hiking and bird watching will be popular here.

Canoeists and kayakers will especially enjoy this overnight spot for weekend outings on the lake. Scouts and other youth groups will come to practice orienteering or learn to kayak.

Hickory Ridge is NOT open at this time for public use or for hunting. When fundraising and cleanup are complete, Hickory Ridge will be opened for public use. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will handle long-term management.

With your support, the camp can be opened by spring 2011.

After recent public comments and review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 155 acres of public land adjacent to the south of Hickory Ridge will be re-designated to provide additional free primitive camping for individuals or groups (such as Scouts) and low-impact recreation. This quadruples the size of the Hickory Ridge Camp to 202 total acres! Plans for the expanded site are described in the new Lake Red Rock Master Plan Supplement. The public comment period is complete, but you can still read the plan draft (6/22/10). Note: the 22-page draft plan PDF is about 2 MB. A revised version will be posted as soon as it is available.

Partners

This project is a joint effort of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, the Red Rock Lake Association and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.