Discover Green Castle Recreation Area in Marshall County

Green Castle Recreation Area (2891 Green Castle Road, Gilman) in Marshall County offers a ton of recreational activities and beautiful sights. Established in 1977 and offering over 100 acres of beautiful lake, native prairie and evergreen and hardwood forest lands, Green Castle is the perfect place for an outdoor adventure.

Green Castle boasts a range of recreational facilities including a playground, shelter houses, a lookout shelter with wrap-around deck for viewing wildlife, picnic areas with tables and grills, hiking trails, an astronomy observatory, rental facility and wildlife exhibits that include live bison and trumpeter swans. Coming next spring, Green Castle will also have a new campground, complete with 16 campsites with water and electricity, a six-stall family-style shower house and a dump station. Along with the campsite, an accessible playground is being planned. Fundraising for this project is still ongoing, but we are hoping to have it completed by this fall.

The 16-acre picturesque, fully stocked lake is great for outdoor recreation. Fishers, kayakers and canoers alike will appreciate the newly constructed fishing jetty and boat ramp.

Plan your visit today and experience the beauty of this natural oasis in Marshall County or sign up for one of our upcoming free events and enjoy activities with Marshall County Conservation staff to lead your adventure.

For more information about Green Castle Recreation Area, visit our website.

People in the Park in Marshall County

Be on the lookout for LEGO® people at Green Castle during your visits. People in the Park will return to Marshall County Parks this July. This year 2024 will be known as LEGO® Magical Marshall County Parks Edition. Starting this week, Marshall County Conservation will post a picture of a LEGO® Magical minifigure in one of our parks every day in July on Facebook and Instagram.

Sounds easy … well, maybe we left out the part about the pictures not being in focus or that it can be hidden in one of our 37 areas! We could also be posting morning, Noon or night to keep you on your toes.

Did we mention prizes? If you find a LEGO® Magical Minifigure, return to Grimes Farm Conservation Center and your name will be entered into a drawing for a kayak and other great prizes. The drawing will take place on Thursday, Aug.t 15 during the intermission of the Live and Local Concert featuring Katie & the Honky Tonks from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Leonard Grimes Memorial Amphitheater at the Grimes Farm and Conservation Center. The first name drawn will get first pick. One entry per person. Once the LEGO® minifigure is turned in, we will post a picture of its hiding spot in our park. See the examples for what to expect. Best wishes on your magical adventure!

For additional information or to participate in People in the Park, follow our Facebook page under Marshall County Conservation Board.

For additional information about the Live and Local Concert – Katie & the Honky Tonks visit our website.

Astronomy at Green Castle on Friday, July 12

Come explore the skies! The Central Iowa Astronomer’s Club is hosting a stargazing event on Friday, July 12 at dusk or approximately 8:30 p.m. at the observatory at Green Castle Recreation Area. Bring your cell phone or tripod and holder to get pictures of the Milky Way or star trails. This event is for seasoned enthusiasts as well as novices with a curiosity for the cosmos. Engage in discussions with club members and connect with something greater than ourselves. For more information, contact Jim Bonser at (641) 751-8744. Join us and let the magic of the universe awe you!

For additional information, visit the Central Iowa Astronomers Facebook page.

 

Kayaking at Green Castle on Tuesday, July 16

This will be an evening of fun and bonding for the whole family! Join us for kayaking on the 16-acre lake surrounded by beautiful trees. Marshall County Conservation is hosting a kayaking event at Green Castle Recreation Area on Tuesday, July 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This event is free and all basic equipment (kayaks, paddles, life jackets) will be provided. If you are a newbie, staff will be present to teach kayaking basics and safety procedures. Afterwards, participants will be set free to explore the lake and surrounding areas at their leisure. Be on the lookout for wildlife and other natural sights frequently seen at this park.

Registration is required due to limited availability. Contact us at Grimes Farm and Conservation Center by phone call (641) 752-5490, email or text message (641) 758-9777. The deadline to register is Friday, July 12 at 4 p.m. but availability is first-come, first-serve and is filling up fast! Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore the waters of Marshall County on a kayak!

For more information about this event, visit our website.

Sunrise Hiking at Green Castle on Tuesday, Aug. 6

Are you looking for a relaxing way to kickstart your day? Join Marshall County Conservation for a scenic hike through Green Castle Recreation Area on Tuesday, August 6 at 6 a.m. Bring a friend, a cup of coffee, a dog or even a pair of binoculars. Marshall County Conservation staff will be leading the hike to ensure an exciting experience filled with valuable insights on the wildlife and natural wonders native to Central Iowa including birds, plants and trees and other wildlife identification and factoids. Participants should dress appropriately for outdoor activity with comfortable, loose pants and sturdy footwear suitable for rough terrain.

This event is free and open to the public with registration. The deadline for registration is Friday, August 2 at 4 p.m. Contact us at Grimes Farm and Conservation Center by phone call (641) 752-5490, email or text message (641) 758-9777. Meet at the upper parking lot by the Bison Display and get ready for a morning adventure with Marshall County Conservation!

For more information about this event, visit our website.

For Other Parks and Events in Marshall County

Marshall County Conservation boasts 3,090 acres and 37 areas designated with many miles of trials and facilities for your outdoor enjoyment. A wide variety of opportunities await you in forests, prairies, lakes, a river, wetlands and trails for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking, wildlife observation, photography and more.

For more information about other parks in Marshall County or to see other upcoming events, check us out on our webpage, follow us on Facebook under Marshall County Conservation Board or subscribe to our mailing list to receive a quarterly Seasons newsletter and announcement and reminders about upcoming events. 

Spending a day in Greater Des Moines (DSM) means you’ll have the chance to experience local outdoor recreation areas, shopping destinations and arts and cultural activities. It’s easy to support local businesses, have fun with the family, make friends and take in all that the region has to offer. Find events and things to do in DSM communities all year round at DSMpartnership.com.