Frequently Asked Questions

We do not currently accept reservations for camping at Spruce Creek Park and South Sabula Lake Park campgrounds. All campsites are first-come, first-served.

Our Environmental Education Staff are available for programs and to lead field trips for schools, youth groups, adult groups, civic organizations, and other organized groups. Our staff can travel anywhere within Jackson County for a program. If you have a group that would like to have a program, contact our Environmental Education Coordinator Jessica Wagner at jwagner@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov.

Yes, our policy states that all pets must be leashed at county parks.

Many of our parks and projects are made possible by contributions from the community. For more information on how to donate, visit Friends of Jackson County Conservation website.

Boat slips at Spruce Creek Park are rented on an annual basis. To get on a waiting list, call our office at 563-652-3783. When dock spaces open, we do a drawing for those on the waiting list. Drawing takes place at the March Board Meeting.

All full-time positions with the county are posted on the Employment page. The Conservation Department hires seasonal employees for the summer months to help with maintenance at our parks. Jobs are posted in January and are open until filled. Check our Employment page on MyCountyParks.com for seasonal listings.

You can register for a program or event by calling Jackson County Conservation at 563-652-3783 or emailing conservation@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov. Programs require at least 48 hours in advance for registration. Some events may have a fee; those are required at the time of registration.

You can find a reservation form online here. You can also stop out at the Hurstville Interpretive Center during business hours to fill out the reservation form and make your payment (cash or check only).

If you find an animal baby that appears to be on its own, don’t worry. Generally, one of its parents is nearby, watching. They’re teaching their offspring to be independent, and in the case of danger, some animal parents will take off to create a distraction away from their young.

Many people “rescue” wildlife babies they believe to be abandoned. But when you take that “orphaned” rabbit out of the nest or that raccoon out of the tree, you’re taking that baby away from its parents, its natural setting, and a chance to live in the wild. Many times, taking an animal out of the wild greatly reduces its chances of survival.

In most cases, these wildlife babies perish soon after capture. If an animal does survive the initial trauma of being captured and confined, it often succumbs more slowly to pneumonia, other diseases, or malnutrition.

However, if you know for a fact that the baby’s parent has died, or if it’s clear the animal is injured, a wildlife rehabilitator can help. Rehabilitators receive extensive training, including an apprenticeship, to learn how to care for animals and reintroduce them to the wild. They know when to feed them, how to feed them, how to treat injuries, and they have the space and equipment to house the animals.

Do not try to take the animal in yourself – not only could it present a safety risk to both you and the animal — it’s also illegal, as wild mammals are protected by state law and wild birds are protected by state and federal law.

If there is not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator near you, contact your local conservation officer (contact information for all counties in Iowa) or animal control officer. If you have any further questions, call us at 563-652-3783.

View a list of all of our rules and regulations.

Camping at Spruce Creek Park and South Sabula Lake Park is $25/night. Transient docks at Spruce Creek Park are $25/night. Firewood is $5/bundle. Cash or check only. No credit cards are accepted at our campgrounds.

If it is an emergency, call 911. For an issue that is a non-emergency, call Jackson County Conservation during regular business hours at 563-652-3783 or call Jackson County Dispatch at 563-652-2468.

Spruce Creek Park and South Sabula Lake Park are located along the Mississippi River. Opening and closing dates for the campgrounds vary year to year and depend on weather and river levels. The parks open sometime in late April or early May and close in late October. Specific dates are set a month or so beforehand. Check the park pages on MyCountyParks.com for up to date information.