East and West Fork of the Des Moines River several areas within the parks with river access to canoe or kayak. Map of various water trails.
Joe Sheldon Park is located 1 3/4 miles west of Humboldt, consists of 80+ acres. It contains 3 separate campsites, 2 cabins for rent, picnic areas, boat ramp, shelters, trails, showers/restrooms, an 18-hole disc golf course and an archery range. The park has several areas to enjoy, with campsites, modern restroom/shower house, playground, shelter houses, band stage, boat ramp and sand volleyball court. A great place to cross country ski or snow shoe in the winter. Skis and snow shoes can be rented from Humboldt County Conservation, 515-332-4087 Monday through Friday.
George Beebe Park is located at 1st Avenue N and 10th Street. Small playground and fishing area.
Pioneer Prairie Pothole is located 5 miles south and 7 miles west of Humboldt on blacktop road C49. This is an 80 Acre upland and wetland habitat area. Hunting is permitted.
Frank A. Gotch Park is located 4 miles south of Humboldt. This beautiful 67 acre park is very inviting to campers with a pleasant quiet atmosphere. Located to give you access to the east and west forks of the Des Moines river and the Three Rivers Bike trail. Gotch Park offers campsites with electricity and water and a log cabin is also available for rent. Other amenities include an enclosed shelter, open air shelter, boat ramp, playground equipment, horseshoe pits and access to a limestone trail that is great for walks and biking.
Lotts Creek Area/Old Settlers Park is located a 1/2 mile west of Livermore. The park is a 40 acre parcel that has shelters, playgrounds, restrooms, and electric facilities for camping. Located on this property is a small log cabin constructed by earlier settlers.
Eagle Ridge Playground and Park is located on the corner of Eagle Ridge Drive and Maple Lane. Playground area, picnic table, small shelter house and basketball court. Park has a nature area with entrance across the street from the park.
Oakdale Park is located 2 1/2 miles south and 1 1/2 miles east of Renwick. The park is jointly managed by the Humboldt and Wright County Conservation Boards. Shelters, electric hookups and restrooms are available. The Izaac Walton league maintains a clubhouse and trap shoot range on the area.
Rutland Marsh is located 1.5 miles north and 1.5 miles west of Humboldt on blacktop road C29. This is a 70 acre upland and wetland habitat area. Hunting is permitted.
Bicknell Park is located at 1st Avenue North and 9th Street North. Shelter, picnic tables, grills and playground equipment available at this area. This park is the location of the Frank Gotch statue. Excellent view of the Des Moines River. Very scenic in a heavily wooded area.
Tourist Park is located below the Sumner Avenue Bridge on the west side. Very popular fishing area on the west fork of the Des Moines River.
Sumner Bridge Armed Forces Tribute located on the Sumner Avenue Bridge.
Iowa Park is located west of the Sumner Avenue Bridge near the Water Plant. Native plants and shrubbery and offers a beautiful view of the Des Moines River.
John Brown Park is located at 2nd Avenue South and 5th Street South. Includes historic Liberty Fountain as the centerpiece, playground equipment, a baseball/softball backstop, open areas, and many benches to just sit and relax. This park is the second oldest in the city. Picnic tables are also provided.
Lake Nokomis Park & Joe Reasoner Dam are located near 5th Avenue N and 15th Street N by the West Des Moines River. The park shelter offers electrical service and a beautiful view of the Des Moines River looking west over Lake Nokomis with natural surroundings with picnic tables, horseshoe pits grills, boat dock, and a concrete boat ramp. The Joe Reasoner Dam is across the street and has a shelter house and boat launch. You can also get on the Cottonwood Trail from here.
Rainbow Park is located North of Rainbow Drive, this park has playground equipment, basketball courts and horseshoe courts.
Turtle Park & Riverside Park are located on South 9th Street. Nice nature area on the bank of the West Fork of the Des Moines River with a playground and climbing wall.
Worthington Park is located at 6th Avenue Southwest, across from Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Recreational facilities for youth and adults, including new playground equipment for the kids, a wonderful gazebo and park shelter.
Hampson Hillside Park is located at Sumner Avenue and Hall Street. An excellent hillside relaxation spot. Great sledding hill in the winter.
Taft Park is located on North Taft Street and 3rd Street North. Our largest park features newly remodeled basketball courts, sand volleyball, play areas, picnic tables, grills, benches to sit and relax, and a shelter that can be used on a first-come-first served basis. The shelter may also be reserved by call the City of Humboldt at 515-332-3435.
Adult softball league and many little league games are held at the main ball diamond located here.
The skate park is also located here.
Taft Park has Humboldt’s largest community build playground, Wildcat Wonderland. This is a very impressive site, which includes slides, swings, terraces, monkey bars, mini Ninja Warrior obstacle course, musical play elements, a sway fun swing that holds two wheelchairs and a bench and an inclusive orbit structure with revolving deck (with room for two wheelchairs).
Jim Heinz Youth Sports Complex is located on Highway 3 West near the Humboldt Airport. This facility includes playground, three Little League baseball fields complete with electric scoreboards, concession stand, restrooms, drinking fountains, and parking area.
Humboldt Fish Hatchery - Every year the Parks & Recreation Department receive thousands of walleye fry from the Department of Natural Resources. The fry are raised in the ponds until they reach 2-3 inches in length and then they are released into the river. This program is at least partially responsible for the excellent walleye fishing that Humboldt enjoys. This is one of the few programs of its kind and is a truly unique asset for our community. In fact, this program benefits anglers from all of central and northwest Iowa.
Cottonwood Trail is a paved biking and walking trail. It starts at the dam at Lake Nokomis (corner of 5th Ave. N and 15th St. N) and travels around the fish hatchery ponds, under the four lane highway bridge, along the West Fork of the Des Moines River, past the swan pond and ends at the millrace (at the corner of 1st Ave. N and 11th St. N).
Rose Mills Park is located on the south side of Rutland. Amenities include a boat ramp, picnic area, camping, fishing, Rutland Dam, playground and is close to the Three Rivers Trail.
Three Rivers Trail is a crushed stone trail that runs along 33 miles of the old Chicago and Northwestern Railroad right of way between Rolfe and Eagle Grove. Humboldt is the halfway point. As the name implies the trail crosses three rivers. These rivers include the West Branch of the Des Moines River, the East Branch of the Des Moines River, and the Boone River. A great place to cross country ski in the winter. Skis can be rented from Humboldt County Conservation, 515-332-4087 Monday through Friday.
Dakota City Memorial Park & Herb Zinnel Playground is located on the east side of Dakota City on 1st Avenue North. It is on the east fork of the Des Moines River and features a playground, shelter house, picnic tables, fishing and boat ramp.
