Find Four Seasons of Fun and Limitless Possibilities in Marshalltown, IA

There are plenty of outdoor recreation options in Marshalltown all year.

By Cary Estes on August 14, 2023

Jonathan David Sabin

The months may change, but the fun never stops when it comes to outdoor recreation in the Marshalltown area.

There are four distinct seasons in Marshalltown, producing a wide array of outdoor recreation opportunities. From swimming and boating during the summer to snowshoeing in the winter, and all the delightful spring and fall days in between, there are a number of parks and trails for people to enjoy.

Emily Herring served as a naturalist in the area for six years before being named director of the Marshall County Conservation Board. She offers a plan for all seasons when it comes to making the most of the great outdoors in Marshalltown.

Spring

While the Iowa River flows along the northern boundary of Marshalltown all year long, Herring says it is especially beautiful during the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. A diverse habitat of both flora and fauna can be found within the 485-acre Iowa River Wildlife Area, which is the largest recreation area in Marshalltown. The combination of wetlands and rolling grassland provides an ideal home for deer, turkeys, hawks and otters. Within walking distance of the Iowa River is Riverside Cemetery, where residents can enjoy a leisurely stroll with views of swans, tulip trees and notable graves.

Things also get hopping during the spring at the Grimes Farm and Conservation Area, as frogs and other critters take over the forested wetlands within the 160-acre property. Herring recommends hiking or biking to Mildred’s Tower, named in honor of farm benefactor Mildred Grimes. Up to 15 people can gather at one time on the tower’s 30-foot-high observation deck and enjoy views of the Linn Creek Valley and surrounding pastureland.

City of Marshalltown

Summer

With three different rivers running inside the city limits, there are plenty of places in Marshalltown to cool off during the heat of summer. The 205-acre Timmons Grove County Park has easy access to the Iowa River, with a boat ramp and entry points for kayaks and canoes.

“The Iowa River has an easy flow, so it’s great for beginner paddlers,” Herring says. “There’s a lot of scenery and wildlife. It’s just a beautiful place to paddle.”

You also can beat the heat at the Marshalltown Family Aquatic Center, which features water slides, diving boards, eight lap lanes and a lazy river. Meanwhile, back at Grimes Farm, summer is the time for free concerts, with live music and food trucks each month.

“That’s a really fun time for people to come out and enjoy the farm,” Herring says.

Jonathan David Sabin

Fall

Herring says one of the best ways to see the fall leaf colors is to stroll or cycle along the Linn Creek Recreational Trail, which runs near its namesake waterway and through the center of Marshalltown from Grimes Farm to Riverview Park. The 9-mile trail connects to the city’s bike trail system, creating a total route that runs for 17 miles. Herring says plans are underway for another trail attachment that will increase the length to 30 miles.

Fall is a picturesque time at Sand Lake as well. In addition to fishing for bass and pike on the 95-acre lake, the area is a stopover and wintering area for Canada Geese and other migrating waterfowl.

A stroll around Marshalltown’s oldest park, Three Bridges, will lead to a 1970s-era suspension bridge that is on the National Register of Historic Places. And for those who want to breathe in the autumn air for an extended time, camping is available at Riverview Park, which also has facilities for disc golf, pickleball, basketball and tennis.

Jonathan David Sabin

Winter

The activities don’t cool off just because the weather gets cold. Instead, places like Sand Lake and the Green Castle Recreation Area (located approximately 10 miles south of Marshalltown) provide opportunities for ice fishing. Meanwhile, Grimes Farm and Conservation Area has snowshoe rentals as well as lessons and group events.

“That is a really fun outdoor recreation activity,” Herring says. “We teach over 500 kids to snowshoe every year. We also do a program called Shoes and Soup, where people come out and hike with snowshoes, and then we have a soup supper. So, you can enjoy the cold and enjoy warming up afterward.”