Heery Woods State Park
Shell Rock River Park With Camping and Nature Center — North and South Units Along the Shell Rock River, Campground With Electric Hookup Sites, Hiking Trails Through Timber and Floodplain Forest, Fishing Access on the Shell Rock River, Boat Ramp, Nature Center With Educational Programs, 1930s-Era Civilian Conservation Corps Structures, Near Clarksville Butler County Iowa
Heery Woods State Park is a park along the Shell Rock River just south of Clarksville, Butler County, Iowa, now managed by the Butler County Conservation Board (originally established as a state park in the 1930s). The park features north and south units flanking the Shell Rock River, a campground with electric hookup sites, hiking trails through mature timber and floodplain forest along the river corridor, fishing access on the Shell Rock River for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and walleye, a boat ramp for canoe and kayak launches, a nature center with seasonal educational and interpretive programs, historic 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) stone structures, picnic areas and shelters, and a playground.
The Shell Rock River is an underrated Iowa smallmouth bass stream — the rocky riffles and deeper pools through the park provide excellent wade-fishing for scrappy smallmouth and occasional walleye.
The CCC stone structures from the 1930s give the park a charming historic character — these handcrafted shelters and walls are typical of Depression-era park construction that defined Iowa’s early state park system.
Things to Do
- Fishing — Shell Rock River: smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye
- Camping — electric hookup sites
- Hiking — timber and river trails
- Paddling — canoe/kayak launch
- Nature center — educational programs
- History — 1930s CCC stone structures
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | S of Clarksville, Butler County, IA |
| River | Shell Rock River |
| Units | North + South |
| Camping | Electric hookup sites |
| Fishing | Smallmouth bass, catfish, walleye |
| Status | ℹ️ Former state park — now County Conservation |
| Managed By | Butler County Conservation Board |
| Coordinates | 42.7556° N, 92.6631° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Heery Woods SP — preserves mature oak-hickory forest. The park’s old-growth timber, streams, and understory support pileated woodpeckers, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. Spring wildflowers carpet the forest floor.
Nearby Attractions
Burlington area — nearby.
Is Heery Woods still a state park?
Heery Woods was established as an Iowa state park in the 1930s but is now managed by the Butler County Conservation Board rather than Iowa DNR. The park along the Shell Rock River south of Clarksville features camping with electric hookups, fishing for smallmouth bass, catfish, and walleye, hiking trails, a canoe/kayak launch, a nature center, and historic CCC stone structures from the 1930s. The park has north and south units flanking the river.
Last updated: May 2026
