The Decorah Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for overseeing nearly 664 acres of land which encompasses 23 parks and recreational areas, a municipal pool and campground, 20 miles of off-road trails, and segments of the 11 mile paved Trout Run Trail. Parks and Recreation staff and volunteers host dozens of community events each year and provide safe recreational opportunities for children year round. In partnership with the community, Decorah Parks and Recreation takes great pride in enriching the lives of others through quality parks and programs that people of all ages, abilities and income levels have the chance to participate in.
Information on All Parks & Recreation Areas
Decorah Parks are open from 7 am to 11 pm
Barbara Barnhart Van Peenen Memorial Park
Park Size: 120 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: fresh water spring, 8 acres tall prairie grass, trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing (this is a natural wildlife area which is not developed for picnicking and camping)
Carl Selland Wayside Park.
Park Size: 2.5 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: picnic shelter, restrooms, picnic tables, outdoor basketball courts, ice skating rink, butterfly garden, bench.
Carlson Park
Park Size: 110 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: trails for mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing
Carlson Park is our newest park and a 110-acre gift to the Decorah Parks System from the Rick and David Carlson Families. Public access to the park is located on Pleasant Avenue heading south towards the Fish Hatchery, and adjacent to St. Benedict Cemetery. The Park-Rec. Dept. is in the process of developing a master plan for this new park.
The Decorah Parks & Recreation Board hired Jeffery L. Bruce and Company to gather public input and create a potential master plan of amenities for Carlson Park that could serve as a guide for current and future planning. Click to view the completed Master Plan.
Community Prairie & Butterfly Garden
Park Size: 105 acres
Decorah Community Prairie & Butterfly Garden Website
click here for brochure and map
click here for information on our Adopt-A-Plant Program
Amenities & Points of Interest: picnic shelter, picnic table, bench, butterfly garden, trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing
Decorah Dog Park
Park Size: 2 acres
click here for rules and other information: Decorah Dog Park Brochure
Amenities & Points of Interest: two fenced in areas, one marked for small dogs and one for larger dogs; picnic shelter and table. The road between the park and the cornfield is a private drive, so there is no parking allowed next to the Dog Park. Wal-Mart has agreed to allow parking in their lot for anyone using the Dog Park.
Dunning's Spring Park and Ice Cave Hill
Park Size: 115 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: picnic table, cookout grill, bonfire grill, bench, scenic overlook, waterfall and stream, stone arch bridge, hiking trails, ice cave, historical information sign
Please note that Ice Cave Road is closed indefinitely to vehicles and thru traffic. Dunning's Spring Park and Ice Cave are accessible from the west end of Ice Cave Road. Visitors should park in the gravel lot on the south side of the road. If the parking lot is full visitors may park along Ice Cave Road. Please be respectful of private property around the park.
The Dunning's Spring Waterfall is a 200 yard walk from the gravel parking lot. Head north on paved drive across the road from the parking lot. Please note there is not parking at the waterfall. Ice Cave is a 1/2 mile walk from the gravel parking lot. Head east on Ice Cave Road. Ice Cave is open to the public with no fee for admission.
Mary Christopher Park
Park Size: 1/2 acre
Amenities & Points of Interest: picnic shelter, picnic tables, bench, drinking fountain, restrooms, playground equipment
Miller Park
Park Size: 6 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: playground equipment, picnic shelter, picnic tables, cookout grill, bench, drinking fountain, playground diamond
Nordheim Park
Park Size: 1.5 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: playground equipment, picnic shelter, picnic tables, cookout grill, bench, drinking fountain, playground diamond
Palisades Park
Park Size: 105 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: picnic tables, cookout grills, bench, scenic overlooks, trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing
Please note: Palisades Park will close to vehicle traffic for the season Monday, November 1. The park typically remains closed to vehicle traffic through April 1, but this can vary based on snowfall and the length of the winter season.
Phelps Park
Park Size: 56 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: eight picnic shelters and Whalen Cabin, three playground areas, restrooms, picnic tables, cookout grills, ground grills, benches, hiking trails, playground diamond, sand volleyball court, drinking fountains, bandshell, scenic overlooks, Schulze Brick Kiln, Larsen Fountain, historical information signs
Pulpit Rock Campground
Park Size: 23 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: camping sites, shower/restroom facilities, dump station, water station, drinking fountains, benches, ground grills, picnic tables, picnic grills, playground equipment, outdoor basketball courts, sand volleyball court, canoe landing, fishing stream, Trout Run Trail access
Swimming Pool Park
Park Size: 6 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool including water slide, toddler slide, grass beach and drinking fountain; playground equipment, picnic tables, benches, historical information sign
Twin Springs Park
Park Size: 48 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: benches, picnic tables, ground grills, stocked trout stream, children's fishing pond, trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing
Water Street Park
This urban park is adjacent to Oneota Food Co-op (312 West Water Street).
Amenities & Points of Interest: bandshell, tables, benches, and water fountain
Vennehjem Park
Park Size: 2 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: picnic shelter, picnic tables, picnic grill, playground equipment
Will Baker Park, Canoe Landing, Athletic Fields
Park Size: 31 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: picnic shelter, picnic tables, ground grill, hiking trail, Pulpit Rock scenic overlook, bench, canoe landing along the Upper Iowa River, athletic fields, Trout Run Trail access, sledding hill
Wold Park
Park Size: 3 acres
Amenities & Points of Interest: picnic shelter, picnic tables, cookout grills, playground equipment, bench, Trout Run Trail access and parking, skateboard park