Trail Map Hiking Fishing
Bird Watching
Astronomy
Bonfires Games Make your
own flower bouquet Helping out
HIKING
Hiking is free to guests. The 4300 acre property is beautiful and very private. The trails offer superb views, a variety of habitats,
excellent bird watching,
lots of wildlife, local history and unique geology. The eight mile long Whitetail
Trail is mowed. Print out the
trail map
and bring it with you. A very easy hike takes you to the best
fishing ponds in the valley. However, much of the trail is hilly,
with occasional wet spots. There are numerous undeveloped alternative trails for the more
ambitious hiker.
FISHING
Whiterock
Resort offers 10 fishing ponds, which
are well stocked. The ponds are managed for bass. We
currently have an 18" inch limit on bass.
Species also include bluegill, catfish, crappie, and bullheads. The river offers
excellent cat fishing. Resort
guests can rent a very basic set of equipment for $5 a day, or bring your
own. The Resort generally sells worms. An Iowa Fishing License is
required. A 1-week license can be purchased at the TrueValue in Coon Rapids
for $8. Non-resident children less than 14 years old do not need a license.
Iowa children less than 16 years old do not need a license.
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BIRD WATCHING
The
Whiterock Valley offers excellent woodland bird watching.
The river corridor is a migratory route for songbirds, and Liz maintains feeders at the
River House. The Garst owned Terrell Farm, and the adjacent Dunbar Sough (a publicly
owned Wildlife Management Area, with a 120 acre refuge) lay several miles north of the
Garst Farm Lodge. These wetlands are a migratory rest stop,
with pelicans, cormorants, ibis, harriers, many species of shore birds, waterfowl, and
songbirds visiting the area in the spring and fall. McCords Pond, another nearby
public wetland, also offers excellent bird watching.
ASTRONOMY
TOURS
Free, guided 1 1/2 hour astronomy tours are offered once each
month. See the Astronomy page for
more information. Of course, the dark skies are always available
for visitors, from each venue. However, our star field, near the
Turkey Ridge campsites, are the darkest spot in the valley.
BONFIRES
Bonfire rings are provided at the Main
Campground, the Garst Farm Lodge, the Oakridge Country House, 805 River and at the Whiterock Pond for guests in any of our accommodations.
Firewood available for purchase.
GAMES
Resort guests are welcome to use the Horseshoe
Court and Volleyball Court
at the River House, and he Croquet Sets
at the Lodge and Oak Ridge. Various games (e.g. checkers) are available at the
each accommodation.
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MAKE
YOUR OWN FLOWER BOUQUET
Extensive cutting flower gardens are maintained at the River
House and the Lodge. Overnight guests are welcome to cut
and design their own bouquet for their room.
HELP OUT
Whiterock Conservancy has numerous projects, and guests are invited to join in when the
work is at hand. Extra hands are always welcome, whether the task is
harvesting gourds, cutting decorative wild grasses, burning prairie,
arranging flowers for a wedding, or picking up buckeyes.
