51²è¹Ýapp

The Conard Environmental Research Area, located eleven miles from the 51²è¹Ýapp College Campus, is a 365-acre field station used for class field trips, student and faculty research, and quiet enjoyment. CERA is open to the public for hiking, bird watching, photography, painting, drawing, and other facets of the study and enjoyment of nature. 

To visit or learn more. 

1500 Penrose St.

ph: 641-236-2620

The 51²è¹Ýapp Athletic & Recreation Center (GARC) is a facility that has open gym hours and can be rented for a fee.  

933 13th Ave.

ph: 641-236-3590

The is a nine-hole golf course with a pro shop, lounge, and event space. The event space is the perfect location to host reunions, receptions, banquets, business meetings, retreats, live music, indoor dances, and golf tournaments. The expansive grounds are also ideal for dog walks, ice skating, cross country skiing, outdoor dances, movies under the stars, winter sledding, fishing derbies, and lots more. 

Call or stop by any time for a tour of the . Open to the public.

This hard surface trail runs from the 51²è¹Ýapp Walmart on the south side of town, to Rock Creek State Park, which is located a few miles west of 51²è¹Ýapp. 

Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve is a 450-acre park and nature preserve. Within the preserve is an extensive trail system for hiking and cross-country skiing, as well as a shelter for both summer and winter use. On the rolling terrain of the preserve are to be found prairies, savanna, woodlands, a 25 acre lake, a marsh, ponds, and wildlife plantings. There are seven miles of hiking trails within the preserve, that offer excellent viewing of a variety of native wildlife species and habitats. 

is located ¼ mile north of the Lynnville exit, off I-80. Follow Jacob Avenue east to the preserve’s entrance.

is considered a community park that covers 22.3 acres and is located at Lake Nyanza. This park is also host to a Disc Golf Course. The 18-hole, par 54, 5,020-foot course wraps itself around the shores of Lake Nyanza and the picturesque oaks, cedars and maples of Miller Park. There are no greens fees: admission is free. Scorecards are available in the .

Restrooms are located at a large shelter nearby. Shelter is also available to reserve for a fee.

Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake with more than 15,000 acres of water and 35,000 acres of land for visitors to enjoy. Located on the Des Moines River just 45 miles southeast, and downriver, of the city of Des Moines, Iowa, the reservoir collects runoff and and drainage from a 12,320 square-mile area in Iowa and southern Minnesota. 

Location: 13476 US-6, 51²è¹Ýapp

ph: 641-236-7111

is a public 18-hole, par 70 course with a driving range and practice green. The diverse terrain between the front nine holes and the back nine makes it a course for all, with the front half for some being the easier approach. Tree lined fairways, water hazards, steep ravines and nearby timber can add to the challenge for even the most consistent player. No matter what your level of play, all golfers will enjoy their experience at Oakland Acres.

Diamond Lake Park

4896 Stagecoach Road, Montezuma

ph: 641-623-3191

administers nine park and wildlife areas that encompass over 2,173 acres of land dedicated to public use and enjoyment. The parks and wildlife areas are managed for you, so please remember to leave them as you find them.

Seasonal camping is available at Diamond Lake Park. There is not an online reservation system. If you are curious about how full the park is or have other questions about camping, call the office at 641-623-3191. 

5627 Rock Creek East, Kellogg

ph: 641-236-3722

is a premier camping destination in central Iowa, offering a variety of outdoor activities, including boating and paddling, year-round fishing and horseback riding. Nearly 200 campsites comprise the park’s beautiful campground, with several sites available on the water’s edge or in wooded areas.

This historical movie theater was once an opera house. It is beautiful and full of architectural history inside and out. It has three auditoriums with comfy, reclining seats and a concession stand that serves snacks and the best buttered popcorn! All reserved seating. 

You won't believe it until you experience it, but Iowa is not flat! The miles of great roads surrounding 51²è¹Ýapp can challenge the most physically fit. 51²è¹Ýapp is a gravel riding destination that attracts many cyclists. Our community also has a paved bike trail that weaves through town and connects bicyclists to Rock Creek State Park just a few miles west of 51²è¹Ýapp. Whether you are a novice or an experienced gravel rider, there is a route for you. Just choose how much distance you want to cover and enjoy the ride.

244 400th Ave.

ph: 641-236-7043

(Seasonal)

in 51²è¹Ýapp is the place to take your loved ones to enjoy plenty of family friendly fun! There are lots and lots of safe, farm-style attractions that many folks have enjoyed for over 25 years. No matter the weather, the farm has plenty of indoor and outdoor fun on tap as well as several picnic shelters, and indoor restrooms (not portables). Folks look forward to all the new things Uncle Bill adds to the farm fun each year.

4074 Hwy F48, Newton

ph: 641-792-3558

Richard Hollingshead, Jr. of Riverton, New Jersey, is credited with inventing the drive-in concept. After nailing a screen to trees in his backyard, he set a 1928 Kodak projector on the hood of his car and placed a radio behind the screen. Other drive-ins popped up, but this American phenomenon exploded with the introduction of in-car speakers in the 1940s.

Families still flock to drive-ins today for great entertainment at an incredible value. But when you come to Valle, you’ll experience more than just a great movie. You are also celebrating and preserving a slice of Americana throw-back!

The city of 51²è¹Ýapp is 5.73 square miles, about 120 acres and sits mid-way between Des Moines and Iowa City on Interstate 80.