It is good practice to always bring your own pen/pencil.
To make this find easier, go through the gate that says "Direct Seeding Planted 1999" and follow the fence to the cache. Otherwise be prepared for some horrible bushwhacking.
Fontana Park contains 134 acres that offer many opportunities to visitors. It is also home to the Fontana Interpretive Nature Center. The nature center was built with conservation in mind, making use of local resources and energy-efficient technology. Exhibits in the Fontana Interpretive Nature Center helps visitors understand how we can "make our home in a living environment." As visitors use the nature center they see and touch natural objects, play games, and find answers to questions.
In addition to the nature center, visitors to Fontana Park can enjoy the live wildlife display that features animals native to Iowa. Animals in the display include orphaned, injured, or human-raised wildlife that can no longer live in the wild. Without human care they would perish. It is our belief that the animals displayed here serve a valuable purpose to educate the public about Iowa's native wildlife and the need to protect and respect them.
Location
Fontana Park and Interpretive Nature Center are located just 9 miles north of Independence on Hwy 150.
Features
Fontana Park offers the following opportunities to visitors:
- Interpretive Nature Center and indoor displays
- Outdoor wildlife display
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Fire pits
- Reservable shelter buildings with electricity
- Hiking trails
- Playground
Operating Hours & Seasons
Fontana Park is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The Fontana Interpretive Nature Center hours are:
- Mon - Tues 8 a.m. - Noon
- Wed - Fri 8 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4:30 p.m.
- Weekends 1-4 p.m. (5 p.m. summer)