Page County Conservation
Rules and Regulations
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS: Pursuant to the authority of Chapter 350.5 of the Code of Iowa, the Page County, Iowa, Conservation Board hereby promulgates and places into effect the following Rules and Regulations deemed by the Board to be necessary for the protection, regulation, and control of all areas under the jurisdiction of the Board.
A. The term “Board” shall mean the Page County, Iowa, Conservation Board.
B. The term “Director” shall mean the Director of the Conservation Board.
C. The term “Authorized Representative” shall mean the Park Officers and other persons designated from time to time by the Director.
D. The term “Officer” shall mean all employees so designated by the Board, or its Director to enforce the Rules and Regulations and the laws of the State of Iowa, and such officer shall have all the powers conferred by law on police officers, peace officers, or sheriffs in the enforcement of said Rules and Regulations and the laws of the State of Iowa and the apprehension of violators thereof.
E. The term “Area” shall mean all or any part of the land or water owned, leased, managed, or by any other means under control of the Board and all buildings and facilities of any part of the land and/or water.
F. The term “campground” shall mean any area designated by the Board for camping.
G. The term “campsite” shall mean a segment of a campground designated by the Board for camping by a camping unit or camping part.
H. The term “camping unit” shall mean either a single tent not larger than 140 square feet in size at its base, pickup camper, motor home or converted bus, recreation trailer, or a motor vehicle used for a camp by a camping party.
I. The term “camping party” shall mean any individual, family, or informal unorganized group of not more than six persons occupying one campsite.
J. The term “noise” shall mean any loud, confused, or senseless shouting or outcry; a sound lacking in agreeable musical quality or which is noticeably unpleasant.
K. The term “alcoholic liquor” shall mean all beverages which contain more than five (5) percent alcohol by weight and as defined in Chapter 123.3(5) of the Code of Iowa.
L. The term “beer” shall mean all beverages which contain no more than five (5) percent of alcohol by weight and as defined in Chapter 123.3(7) of the Code of Iowa.
M. The term “special use permit” shall mean any use permit, issued by the Director, pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board, and signed by the Director or their authorized representative.
N. The term “responsibility agreement” shall mean any agreement required by the Board used to identify individuals in a group who accept responsibility for activities and actions of that group.
O. The term “permanent blind” shall mean any constructed place of concealment containing any sawed lumber, wire, nails, bolts, posts, or pipes, metal cable, or hardware of any type, except where these materials are parts of portable blinds which are self-contained units readily movable from one sit to another.
P. The term “tree stand” shall mean any portable place of concealment, either free-standing or placed in a tree. No nails, spikes, pins or other objects, metal or otherwise, shall be driven or placed within a tree.
SECTION 2: CAMPING:
A. Camping is permitted only in Areas and location so designated by the Board.
B. Registration of walk-in campsites will be a first-come, first-served basis and will be handled by self-registration. Registration forms will be provided by the department. Campers shall, within one-half hour of arrival at the campground, complete the registration form completely, place the appropriate fee in the envelope and place the envelope in the depository provided by the department. The top copy of the registration must be placed in the campsite holder. Camping registration must be in the name of a person 18 years of age or older who will be occupying the campsite for the full term of registration.
C. When any campground is open and in a usable condition all charges and fees shall be in effect and shall be enforced. All campgrounds will be closed to camping on November 1st each year (unless this date falls on a Saturday or Sunday then it will be the preceding weekday, Friday). Camping may resume by April 15th the following year.
D. No camping party, camping unit, or cabin unit shall be permitted to camp for a period longer than that designated by the Board, and no longer than for a period of 14 consecutive nights unless written permission is obtained from the Director. After the fourteenth night, by 4:00 PM the following day all members of the camping party and the camping
unit(s) may not return to that park until a minimum of 3 nights have passed.
E. Campsites shall be considered occupied when: 1. The proper registration form has been completed with fee included and deposited; and 2. The completed receipt has been placed on campsite post; and 3. The campsite is occupied by placing a tent, pickup camper, pop-up camper, motor home, covered bus, recreational trailer, or motor vehicle on it. No exceptions.
F. It shall be unlawful to park any motor vehicle outside the parking area designated at each campsite, and no more than two licensed vehicles are permitted at any campsite or cabin.
G. All campers shall maintain quiet and avoid excessive noise in the campgrounds between the hours of 10:30 PM and 6:00 AM.
H. Violation of any State Law or any county park rule and regulation by any member of the camping party is cause for revocation of the camping privilege and the entire camping party may be required to leave the area.
I. Campers shall restore their campsite to the same approximate condition or better than when they found it.
J. Campground checkout time is 4:00 PM daily. All campers occupying the campsite after daily checkout will be required to pay an additional camping fee.
SECTION 3. CLOSING: Except by arrangement or permission granted by the Board, its Director, or their representative, all areas shall be closed to the public use and all persons shall vacate County Areas between the hours of 10:30 PM and 6:00 AM of the following date, except in specific areas designated for overnight fishing or camping.
SECTION 4. CLOSING OF AN AREA: Any Area or portion thereof may be partially or entirely closed for use by the public for a specified period of time as determined by the Board or its Director. During such period of time, it shall be unlawful for any person to enter upon or occupy such area or portions thereof contrary to posted regulations.
SECTION 5. SWIMMING PROHIBITED: It shall be unlawful to swim, wade, or engage in related water activities in or on any Area.
SECTION 6. FIRES: Fires may be built only in picnic stoves or in fire rings installed thereof by the Board or Director, and only in such Areas designated by the Board.
SECTION 7. CHAINSAWS: Except by written permission from the Director, chainsaw use is prohibited in all Areas. This provision is not applicable to Page County Conservation employees.
SECTION 8. TRAFFIC:
A. Pursuant to the authority of Chapter 321.236 of the Code of Iowa the speed limit for all vehicles on all area roads is 15 miles per hour, except where otherwise posted.
B. All vehicles shall be driven only on designated roadways.
C. Excessively loaded vehicles shall not operate on any Area roadways. The determination as to whether the load is excessive will be made by the Director or their authorized representative and will depend upon load and road conditions.
D. It shall be unlawful to drive any motor vehicle, snowmobile, ATV, UTV, motorized bike, scooter or cycle on any ice covered waters under the jurisdiction of the Board, except by written permission of the Board or its Director.
E. It shall be unlawful to operate any heavy equipment, snowmobile, air sled, swamp buggy, or all-terrain vehicle on any Area; unless this vehicle is being used by a Page County Conservation employee or the operator has written permission from the Director.
SECTION 9. PARKING:
A. Parking in places contrary to posted regulation is prohibited. Vehicles shall be parked only in designated places within an area.
B. It shall be unlawful to leave any motor vehicle unattended on any area for more than twenty-four hours without the permission of the Director or their authorized representative. Any motor vehicle left in violation hereof shall be removed and stored at the expense of the owner.
SECTION 10. POSSESSION OF LIQUOR, CONTAINER SIZE REGULATION, CONDUCT:
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, possess, use, consume, or otherwise in any manner to have alcoholic liquor, alcoholic beverage or intoxicating liquor, or any controlled substance in or on any area under the jurisdiction to the Board in accordance with Chapter 123.46 of the Code of Iowa.
B. No person or group shall bring, use, or have in their possession on any Area, beer in a keg or any other container larger than one quart without first obtaining a special use permit from the Director or their authorized representative. The request for the special use permit shall be made in writing at least one week prior to the date of the activity.
C. Pursuant to the authority under Chapter 350.5 of the Code of Iowa, upon determination of the Director or their authorized representative any person or group of persons engaged in any activity offering beer as a refreshment may be required to sign a responsibility agreement. Failure to sign a responsibility agreement will result in immediate removal of the group from the area.
SECTION 11. THE PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY, NATURAL RESOURCE, AND WILDLIFE: No person shall injure, deface, disturb, befoul, nor in any manner destroy or cause to be destroyed any part of any Area, nor any public building, sign, structure, equipment, or other property found therein. It shall be unlawful to remove, injure, or destroy any tree, flower, shrub, plant, or vegetation or any rock or other mineral in any Area, except when permitted under Section 12. It shall be unlawful to kill, trap, hunt, pursue, or in any manner disturb or cause to be disturbed any bird or animal within any Area, except where permitted under Section 17.
SECTION 12: COLLECTION OF FRUITS AND NUTS: Pursuant to the authority of Chapter 350.10 of the Code of Iowa, it shall be lawful to collect the fruit of all nut and berry producing plants or mushrooms for noncommercial home use on any Area, provided that the collector does not otherwise damage the parent plant.
SECTION 13: RECREATION USES ONLY ALLOWED: it shall be unlawful for any person to occupy any portion of any Area for washing or repairing vehicles; advertising or political campaigning; peddling, hawking, soliciting, begging, or carrying on of business or other commercial enterprise, or any other purpose not primarily recreational, except by written permission of the Board or its Director. No person shall post, paste, fasten, paint, or affix any placard, bill, notice or sign upon any structure, tree, stone, fence, thing, or enclosure along or within any Area, except by written permission of the Board or its Director.
SECTION 14. PETS: No privately owned animal shall be allowed to run at large in any Area except where permitted under Section 15. Every such animal shall be deemed as running at large unless the owner carriers such animal; or leads it by leach or chain not exceeding six (6) feet in length; or keeps it confined in a vehicle; or chains it to any man-made object. No leashes or chains shall be attached to any tree or shrub. Owners are responsible for maintaining areas occupied by pets. Owners are responsible for their pets creating any excessive noise at all times. Pets shall not be left unattended in any Area.
SECTION 15. HUNTING AND TRAINING DOGS: Pursuant to the authority of Chapter 350.10 of the Code of Iowa, it shall be lawful to permit dogs to run at large for the purposes of training, hunting or exercising them in or on all areas designated as hunting areas by the Board.
SECTION 16. USE OF HORSES RESTRICTED: The use of horses, mules, and other equine animals is restricted to roadways or trails designated for use. Animals may be hitched to trailers for short periods of time for grooming and saddling. Animals must be stabled inside trailer, at a hitch rail, or in stalls or corrals, if provided.
SECTION 17. HUNTING AND SHOOTING AREAS:
A. Hunting will be allowed between September 1 and May 15 on certain areas or portions of areas so designated by the Board.
B. Certain areas or portions of areas may be posted as closed to hunting, trapping, or taking of certain fish or wildlife during seasons established by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
C. No permanent blinds are allowed on any Area.
D. Tree stands may be left on public hunting areas from seven days prior to the start of a hunting season until seven days after the final day of that season.
E. Firearms, air rifles, bows, and arrows, slingshot or inflammable or explosive material or other dangerous articles shall be permitted only in such posted areas, designated by the Board.
SECTION 18. BOATING:
A. All boats must be in compliance with Chapter 462A of the Code of Iowa, for use on any waters under the jurisdiction of the Board.
B. Where ramps are provided for launching of boats, the ramp is to be promptly cleared upon launching or recovering a boat to permit others to use the facility.
C. Only electric motors, oars and/or paddles will be allowed as a means of conveyance on any waters under the jurisdiction of the Board. No gas motors are allowed.
D. No boat or other form of water conveyance shall be left unattended on or attached to any area for more than twenty-four consecutive hours. Any water conveyance left in violation hereof may be removed and stored at the expense of the owner.
E. It shall be unlawful to tamper with, move, or attempt to move, moor, or tie any rope, anchor or line to any buoy or any fish or wildlife management structure.
SECTION 19. DISPOSAL OF REFUSE, DOMESTICE REFUSE PROHIBITED:
A. It shall be unlawful to deposit or abandon in any Area any garbage, sewage, refuse, trash, waste, or other obnoxious or offensive material, except in receptacles or pits provided for such purposes.
B. It shall be unlawful to deposit garbage, refuse, or litter from any household, business, or any other place on any Area for the purpose of disposing of same in any receptacles or pits therein provided.
SECTION 20. EXCESSIVE NOISE: It shall be unlawful to operate or use any radio, television, stereo, musical instrument, electric generating plants, power saws, or any similar equipment in or on an Area in such manner as to create excessive noise and/or disturb other persons. Pet owners shall be held responsible for excessive noise or disturbance caused by barking dogs. Noise that can be heard at a distance of 120 feet or three campsites shall be considered unreasonable.
SECTION 21. OPEN PICNIC SHELTERS: All shelters under the jurisdiction of the Board are considered first-come first-serve unless reserved. Shelters can be reserved up to six months in advance and must be in the name of a person 18 years of age or older who will be present for the full term of the reservation.
SECTION 22. DRONE/UAV USAGE: the use of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles “UAV” shall be unlawful within the campgrounds, shelter houses, playgrounds, and parking areas. It shall be unlawful to operate drones/UAVs within Pierce Creek and Nodaway Valley Park. In all other locations managed by the Board, the operation of the drone/UAV shall be a minimum of 100ft from prohibited areas, and a minimum of 300ft above the prohibited areas listed above. Operation of drones/UAVs shall be done safely and responsibly. All federal regulations concerning drone/UAV usage, including registration and insurance, must be followed at all times. No drones/UAFs which require gasoline or flammable fuels are permitted within any of the areas under the responsibility of the Board. Operators will be held financially responsible for any and all damage associated with the usage of their drone or UAV.
SECTION 23. OTHER ACTIVITIES:
A. Any person engaged in any designated activity in any Area established and designated by the Board does so at their own risk. The Board assumes no responsibility for death or injury as a result of person engaged in activities in any Area.
B. Conduct or activities shall be governed by the Rules and Regulations as may be established now or hereafter by the Board. Upon posting and publishing required by law, said Rules and Regulations shall become law and are enforceable as such.
SECTION 24. FEES AND PERMITS:
A. The Board reserves the right to require special permits and establish fees for services or for the use of land, facilities, equipment, materials, supplies, and for admission to any facility, use, show, or demonstration.
B. The Board, its Director, or their authorized representative, reserve the right to refuse to issue a permit to any group or individual for the use of all or any part of any Area for any purpose whatsoever.
C. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to enter or use facilities for which entrance fees or user fees are prescribed without payment of same, except those persons on official business or authorized by special permits.
SECTION 25. STATUTES APPLICABLE: Pursuant to the authority under Section 350.10 of the Code of Iowa, the provision of Sections 461A.35 through 461A.57 inclusive shall apply to all lands and waters under the control of the county conservation board, in the same manner as if the lands and waters were state parks, lands or waters. As used in sections 461A.35 through 461A.57, “natural resource commission” includes a county conservation board, and “director”, includes a county conservation board or its director, with respect to lands or waters under the control of a county conservation board. However, Sections 461A.35 through 461A.57 may be modified or superseded by rules adopted as provided in Section 350.5.
SECTION 26. EXCEPTIONS: Nothing in these rules and regulations shall prohibit or hinder the Board, its Director, their authorized representative, or any peace officer from performing their official duties.
SECTION 27. PENALTIES:
A. Any person violating any of the provisions of the foregoing sections shall be charged with a simple misdemeanor and can be subject to fines or imprisonment in accordance with State and/or Local Policies.
B. The privilege of use of any Area by any person may be revoked by any peace officer, the Director, or authorized representative for violation of State Law or County Board Rule and Regulation or other just cause.
C. A separate fine or imprisonment shall apply to each violation.
SECTION 28. EFFECTIVE DATE: The above Rules and Amendments to the Rules have been adopted on the 6th day of November, 2024, under the authority of Chapter 350.5 of the 2017 Code of Iowa as amended and shall be declared effective November 6, 2024, following publication and posting as required by law.
Page County Conservation Office is located at 2039 Hwy 71, Clarinda, IA 51632.
Office hours: 8:00am – 4:30pm
Our office number is 712-542-3864
Director’s cell phone number 712-370-1157
For emergencies, please call 911
Enjoy your visit at Page County Parks!