SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
It's a way to escape the city and explore the great outdoors. A mix of woodland and prairie, on the edge of Sioux City in the Loess Hills.
Stone State Park has a rich, 100 year history.
"Stone State Park was established in 1912 as a city park," Kevin Pape, the Stone State Park Ranger said.
People would take excursion boats up the Big Sioux river and spend the day at the park.
"The ladies would wear the big dresses and have umbrellas and the men wore suits and it was quite an affair. Watermelon was common, ice-cream if you could make it onsite," Pape said.
Stone Park was named after Thomas Jefferson Stone and wasn't designated a state park until 1935.
"There was a work program during the depression by FDR, a civilian conservation corps and the park could be eligible for that if they were a state park. Many of the buildings were built by the CCC and they still stand today," Pape said.
The park now has two cabins, 30 campsites, three picnic shelters and the Stone Lodge.
"The cabins were added in the last four years. It was a project by the Friends of Stone Park partnering with the state and they made some improvements to the campground and added the cabins and that has really helped attendance," Pape said.
Stone State Park is also home to many plants and animals.
"Stone Park has bobcats, a lot of interesting birds that use Stone Park because of the habitat here. Quite a few unique butterflies that rely on the prairie that we have in Stone Park live here. Quite a few threatened plant species too," Pape said.
There are also six and half miles of mountain biking and horse back riding trails and the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center.
Pape says the best way to see the over 1,500 acre park is to get out of your car and hike around on the many trails.
"Someone who has never been here, you have to come out and see the park. Especially this time of the year, the leaves will start to change and the weather cools off. Some beautiful views from some of the ridge tops," Pape said.
Stone State Park is open all year round for people to come out and explore.
The Stone State Park 100 year celebration will be held on September 15th.
There was a work program during the depression by FDR, a civilian conservation corps and the park could be eligible for that if they were a state park.
