Recreation

The Wapsipinicon River through tree branches.
A trail at Wapsi Center.

The Wapsi River Center offers and provides limited outdoor and wildlife-oriented recreation. The Center boasts several miles of scenic trails and activities include: hiking, nature studying, bird watching, photography, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing/kayaking, and picnicking. Fires are restricted to fire pits and grills that are provided, pets must be leashed when outdoors, and bicycles are limited to roadway use.

A new low impact Iowa DNR Water Trail access is planned along the River Trail at the Center and will allow for canoe/kayak access to the Wapsicpinicon River. The Bends and Beaches Trail allows for canoe floats while programs are offered by staff and scheduling is determined by group need and abilities.

The Center also provides a shooting range in support of hunter education courses and a teams course under the direct supervision of staff by scheduling for such programming. Center staff is also trained as National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) instructors to teach and conduct international style archery to both students and educators. Please call to find out more about NASP and opportunities including technical assistance and use of a full ten bow kit to qualifying schools/educators on a loan basis.