Hickory Grove Park

67464 250th Street, Colo, IA 50056


NEW: Archery Range Improvements!

Fall 2024 - Permanent targets now exist at 10, 20, 30 & 40 yards, paired with a permanent brick shooting line that can accommodate up to eight shooters at once. Bow rests now prevent shooters from laying bows on the ground while retrieving arrows.

Archery Range is open from sunrise to half hour after sunset. Broadheads and firearms are not permitted.

Woman aiming bow at target at new Archery Range


Amenities

  • Camping
    • 43 modern camping sites with electricity at Breezy Bay Campground 
    • 11 primitive camping sites on the south side of the lake
  • 100-acre lake; newly restored and stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie, and walleye
    • electric motors only
    • several fishing jetties & boat ramps
    • fish cleaning station
    • Partnership with Iowa DNR for water quality beach monitoring. 
    • Kayak and paddle board rental five days a week through Rent.Fun.
  • Sand beach (no lifeguards on duty -- swimming is at your own risk)
  • Two enclosed lodges (Oriole Ridge or Snow Bunting) available by online reservation
  • Hiking trail -- crushed limestone surface; complete loop around lake is about 3 miles
  • Picnic sites with tables and grills
  • Public hunting is allowed only in the two game management areas on the south side of the park. No target practice is allowed. Only non-toxic ammunition is allowed.
  • Archery Range (no fee; first-come, first-served; no firearms)
  • Winter activities including ice fishing, cross-county skiing, and snowmobiling

History

The history of a park starts well before it is ever called a park. The land now called Hickory Grove Park began as a home to many people. At different times to Baxoje (bah-kho-dzhe), or Ioway nation, and the Meskwaki and Sauk nations all lived here and cared for this land. 

In 1960, six families sold land near an area known as the "Big Grove" to SCC, and in 1968 Hickory Grove Park opened, becoming Story County's largest park. Initially it took two years for the lake to fill completely! In its early years, the beach would see over 2,000 swimmers a day on the weekend. The ranger residence also served as the administrative offices and hub for all of SCC's staff. 

  1. 1 Park users enjoy lake beach during summer
  2. 2 Mom pushes child in stroller along limestone trail during summer, trees in background
  3. 3 Sunset on Hickory Grove Lake
  4. 4 Camping at Hickory Grove Park