Elk Rock State Park
Encyclopedia
Elk Rock State Park is a state park
of Iowa
, USA, located in Marion County
situated on both upstream banks of Red Rock Reservoir. Knoxville
at the southwest and Pella
to the northeast are the nearest cities. On north are Otley
and Monroe
; at the west is Pleasantville
.
Elk Rock has two areas: the main area and the "Mile Long Bridge" area. The bridge area is much smaller than the main area but has a couple of shelters and a restroom facility.
The main area has many camp sites, two boat ramps, park office, and various trails.
inhabitation dates back five thousand years. The Sac and Fox tribes granted white settlers rights to the grounds in 1842. The outlines of the extinct town of Red Rock lie at the bottom of the lake.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers
began construction of a dam in 1960 and completed it in 1969. In 1969, the Iowa Conservation Commission leased land from the Corps of Engineers to establish North Elk Rock (now Cordova Park). In 1978, a lease was obtained for South Elk Rock which is now what is considered Elk Rock State Park.
camping area with a 100′ x 200′ arena and other facilities.
Red Rock also serves as a stopping point for migratory birds and other waterfowl. 200 species of birds, 54 species of trees, 62 species of wildflowers, 43 species of fish, and 35 species of mammals have been seen here.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, USA, located in Marion County
Marion County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 33,309 in the county, with a population density of . There were 13,914 housing units, of which 12,723 were occupied.-2000 census:...
situated on both upstream banks of Red Rock Reservoir. Knoxville
Knoxville, Iowa
Knoxville is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 7,731 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Marion County. Knoxville is home of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum located next to the famous dirt track known as Knoxville Raceway.-History:The site for...
at the southwest and Pella
Pella, Iowa
Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,832 at the 2000 census. Pella is the home of Central College as well as several manufacturing companies, including Pella Corporation and Vermeer Manufacturing Company.- History :...
to the northeast are the nearest cities. On north are Otley
Otley, Iowa
Otley is a small unincorporated town in Marion County, Iowa, United States. It is located approximately 45 miles southeast of the capital, Des Moines, on Iowa Highway 163. The US Post Office has a ZIP Code of 50214. Otley has one post office and is home to Van Haaften Racing, Pella Motorworks,...
and Monroe
Monroe, Iowa
Monroe is a city in Jasper County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,808 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Monroe's longitude and latitude coordinatesin decimal form are 41.521880, -93.103492...
; at the west is Pleasantville
Pleasantville, Iowa
Pleasantville is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,539 at the 2000 census.-History:Pleasantville was surveyed and established as a town on August 1, 1849 on land then owned by William Wesley Jordan. Previous to the ownership of Mr...
.
Elk Rock has two areas: the main area and the "Mile Long Bridge" area. The bridge area is much smaller than the main area but has a couple of shelters and a restroom facility.
The main area has many camp sites, two boat ramps, park office, and various trails.
History
Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
inhabitation dates back five thousand years. The Sac and Fox tribes granted white settlers rights to the grounds in 1842. The outlines of the extinct town of Red Rock lie at the bottom of the lake.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
began construction of a dam in 1960 and completed it in 1969. In 1969, the Iowa Conservation Commission leased land from the Corps of Engineers to establish North Elk Rock (now Cordova Park). In 1978, a lease was obtained for South Elk Rock which is now what is considered Elk Rock State Park.
Land usage
The Red Rock Reservoir provides for good fishing as well as general boating and swimming activities. Elk Rock also has an equestrianEquestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
camping area with a 100′ x 200′ arena and other facilities.
Red Rock also serves as a stopping point for migratory birds and other waterfowl. 200 species of birds, 54 species of trees, 62 species of wildflowers, 43 species of fish, and 35 species of mammals have been seen here.