Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
8700 NE 126 Ave.,
Maxwell, IA 50161
515-967-2596
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt stretches for almost ten miles along the Skunk
River in northeast Polk County.
Chichaqua's recreational facilities include electric and non-electric campsites,
canoe rental, picnic areas, rental lodge, hiking trails, trap shooting range, dog
training area, and waterfowl hunting blinds. Reservations for some campsites can
be made on-line at www.mycountyparks.com.
The on-line reservation rate for electric is $24, non-electric is $18, and youth
group sites is $12.
When the Conservation Board first acquired property for the area in 1960, its intention
was to preserve and restore the old oxbows of the original Skunk River channel.
The area's natural features include old oxbow river channels and backwaters, marshes,
and wetlands. Chichaqua also includes sandy upland hills with reconstructed prairies
and native prairie remnants.
In 1910, a 100-foot long Warren pony truss was constructed to span the Skunk River
about a mile south of its current site. The bridge was used until 1992 when it was
moved to its present location at Chichaqua. It is one of the only 17 remaining bridges
in Iowa of this design. The bridge is now restricted to foot traffic and crosses
the old Skunk River.