Wanatee Park

Linn County, IA

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LocationWanatee Park is located on the southeast side of Marion, just west of Hwy. 13 off Hwy. 100, at 1600 Banner Dr, Marion, IA, 52302.

Operating Hours & Seasons Park hours are 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Many features of the park are open on a year-round basis, some will close seasonally. Campgrounds and shelters are generally open from April 15 - October 15th weather & ground conditions may contract or expand these dates. Check our official website, LinnCountyIowa.Gov/Conservation in case the camping season is able to be extended.

Discover Wanatee Park in Marion

Wanatee Park

Learn more about Wanatee Park at our official website, LinnCountyIowa.Gov/Conservation

Wanatee Park, a 998 acre park at 1600 Banner Drive, Marion, is located on the corner of Highway 13 and Highway 100. The park offers opportunities for picnicking, camping, winter activities, nature study and more. Wanatee Park is named after Adeline Wanatee (1910-1996), an artist and advocate for Native American and women's rights, and a 1993 Iowa Women's Hall of Fame honoree. A variety of wildlife and the proximity to the metropolitan area makes Wanatee Park a popular destination for outdoor recreation. The name of the park was changed to Wanatee Park in the fall of 2020.

Camping

Wanatee Park offers 69 campsites with a modern, state-of-the-art restroom and shower facility. Campgrounds are usually open mid-April to mid-October 15, ground conditions permitting (see below).The Wanatee Park Campground is divided into two camping areas: A Loop (24 sites) and B Loop (45 sites). A Loop at Wanatee Park is the only family campground in the Linn County Park system that allows advanced reservations. There are two sanitary dumping stations nearby

Trails
The 4 mile trail winds through a variety of vegetation types ranging from open meadows to brushy creek bottoms to mature timber. Users have the opportunity to enjoy the solitude of a hike in the woods while viewing wildflowers and abundant wildlife. The trail is popular for hiking, horseback riding, nature study, running and cross country skiing.

A portion of the trail system is groomed for cross country skiing, both classical and skate-ski styles.

The trail system include a mountain biking system, developed and managed by Linn Area Mountain Biking Association (LAMBA) and equestrian-friendly trails.

Lodges & Shelters
The park has two enclosed lodges and one open air shelter. Prairie Oak Lodge offers approximately 4000 square feet of floor space. Red Cedar Lodge offers approximately 2000 square feet of floor space. Meadowlark Shelter has nearby outdoor recreation opportunities including trails, playgrounds, picnic tables and grills.

Wanatee Park brochure and map

Mountain Bike/Single Track Trail map