Rules & Regulations

To help insure your safety and enjoyment during your visit to Washington County Parks, the Washington County Conservation Board has adopted all laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Iowa. What follows is a partial and abbreviated listing of the regulations at Washington County parks:
  • Park hours are from 4:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
  • No littering. County parks are "carry in, carry out."
  • Motor vehicles, including ATV's, are restricted to designated roadways and parking areas.
  • No destroying, injuring, or removing public property.
  • Swimming is prohibited in all ponds under the control of the Washington County Conservation Board.
  • Boats with electric motors only are permitted on county ponds.
  • Overnight camping is limited to 14 consecutive nights then must leave the camping area for 3 consecutive nights in areas designated for camping. 
  • Camping is prohibited in the following areas:
    • Crawford Pond
    • Foster Pond
    • Hayes Timber
    • Kewash Nature Trail
    • Walnut School
  • Hunting and firearms are prohibited at the following wildlife refuges (Special written permission of the Washington County Conservation Board is required to trap):
    • Brinton Timber
    • Foster Pond
    • Hayes Timber
    • Kewash Nature Trail
    • Marr Park
    • Statler Woods
    • Walnut School
  • Target shooting is prohibited in all areas. The only exception is the Clemons Creek Shooting Range for those persons certified to use it.
  • Crawford Pond: The swimming (prohibited), boating (electric motors only), and picnicking rights (no camping, closes at 10:30 p.m.) at Crawford Pond have been leased. All other rights remain with the landowner.
  • Foster Woods: Firearms are prohibited at Foster Woods. It is open to hunting and trapping by non-firearm methods.
  • Kewash Nature Trail: Bicycle and pedestrian traffic only. No unauthorized horses, snowmobiles, or motorized equipment.
  • Fishing:  Iowa DNR Fishing Rules and Regulations apply to all bodies of water managed by the WCCB.  All bass less than 15" must be released immediately and unharmed.  For a complete list of all Rules and Regulations, click below:
  1. IOWA DNR Fishing Rules And Regulations