McFarland Park is a terrific 200-acre recreation area with a 6.5-acre lake on the Skunk River Greenbelt. A favorite among local outdoor enthusiasts, it has opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and paddling! And it’s just a couple of minutes north of Ames!
A Brief History of McFarland Park
The park is named after Dr. Ernest J. McFarland, who owned the initial 93 acres that made up the park. In 1949, he had the artificial lake built, which the family and guests used for leisure.
After Dr. McFarland’s death, his family offered the land to the Story County Conservation Board. They bought the land in 1969 and opened the park in 1974.
During the 1970s, the conservation board acquired more parcels to make it a 200-acre park. Also, during that time, trails were constructed by high schoolers from the Youth Conservation Corps.
Also, the Ames Area Amateur Astronomers Club built the observatory in 1980. And Story County Conservation added their building in 1991.
Things To Do at McFarland Park
Explore the Touch A Life Trail
This scenic 1.5-mile paved trail loops around the 6-acre lake. Take the trek around the water to explore the prairie, woodlands, and pond habitats up close!
Hike or mountain bike the trails
Over five miles of trails wind through the diverse landscape at McFarland Park. Some are for hikers and bikers, but routes with stairs are closed to bicycles. For more trail details, see the park map.
Kayak or canoe
McFarland Lake is perfect for a peaceful day of paddling! Note that you must carry your boat about a tenth of a mile from the parking area to the lake.
And if you want to paddle the Skunk River Water Trail, Soper’s Mill Access is just north of the park. In addition, there are several access points north and south of there.
Go fishing
McFarland Lake offers 6.5 acres of fishing area, where anglers often catch Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Catfish. Fish from the accessible fishing pier, shore, kayak, or canoe!
Picnic
This is the park for a scenic picnic spot! Several picnic spots are by the Conservation Center, where there’s also a deck for public use. And there are several other picnic areas around the picturesque lake, some with grills.
Hosting an event? The Conservation Center multi-purpose room is reservable for events of up to 100 guests.
Visit Story County Conservation Center
Attend a conservation program or class! See the Story Co. Conservation calendar of events here.
Attend an observatory event
McFarland Park is home to the Adams Observatory, operated by the non-profit Ames Area Amateur Astronomers (AAAA). The observatory is open to the public during special events, like the annual Iowa Star Party.
Winter activities
Cross country ski on the multi-use trails, or strap on your snowshoes to explore the snowy woods. Also, you can go ice fishing on the lake when the ice is thick enough.
Park Map
Things to do nearby
Peterson Pits Recreation Area is just two miles west of the park and has a beach, trails, fishing, and river access.
Ames is only a ten-minute drive from the park and has many things to do. Some popular spots to see are Reiman Gardens, Inis Grove Park, and Ada Hayden Heritage Park, to name a few. And if you’re looking for a great place to eat, Ames has several favorite local eateries!
Float the Skunk River Water Trail, stretching 34 miles from Story City Park to CJ Shreck Access (south of Cambridge). The closest access is Soper’s Mill Access. See the Skunk River Paddlers website and see the Iowa DNR brochure for more information.
And there are tons of things to explore in Des Moines, just 30 minutes south of Ames. There’s something for everyone, from parks and bike trails to museums and restaurants.
Visit McFarland Park Today!
Find McFarland Park at 56461 180th St, Ames, IA 50010.