Wanatee Park
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 April 15 to October 15, ground conditions permitting. The Wanatee Park Campground is divided into two camping areas: A Loop and B Loop. 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.
A Loop Sites are reservable 5 days to 1 year in advance. Make a reservation.
B Loop Sites are first come, first serve.
- All campers must self register and pay the required Camping Fee
- Take a Virtual Tour of the campground at Wanatee Park.
- Visit our Camping Webpage to learn more about Wanatee Park Campground and other Linn County Conservation camping opportunities.
Wanatee Park Trail
A four 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. This trail is closed annually from October 1 to January 10, due in part to the anterless deer managed bow hunt annually designated in this area.
The trail system includes 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 4,000 square feet of floor space. Red Cedar Lodge offers approximately 2,000 square feet of floor space. Meadowlark Shelter has nearby outdoor recreation opportunities including trails, playgrounds, picnic tables and grills.
Visit facility rentals at LinnCountyIowa.gov/conservation for information on reserving these, and other reservable facilities.
Managed Deer Hunt
Given its location on the urban edge, A managed antlerless deer hunt at Wanatee Park is employed to control the deer population within the park boundary in an established zone. This archery-only hunt runs from October 1 - January 10. A limited number of applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Restrictions and limitations apply. Email Conservation to be added to the email list on information regarding the deer hunt and to receive the application.