One of my favorite things to do during the summer months is to explore Iowa’s county parks and nature sanctuaries, because these local destinations are often much less crowded than the big state parks and have some surprising hidden gems waiting for curious visitors. A perfect example of this is Jones County Central Park, located near the tiny town of Center Junction. This beautiful park is home to a stunning lake and beach, camping opportunities, and a surprising nature center in Iowa where guests can learn, discover, and even see some surprising full-time residents! This park is an ideal day trip destination for when the family needs to beat the heat and escape the crowd on those intense summer days!

Jones County Central Park in Iowa is a little slice of heaven - a county park less than an hour from Cedar Rapids and full of natural charm.
John Dalton/Google Local
The park is quiet, well-maintained, and full of recreation opportunities and small trails to hike.
Darrin Ochsner/Google Local
The heart of the park is Central Park Lake, which is nicely stocked with fish and has an amazing beach for sunning and splashing during the summer months.
Cole/Google Local
Camping is allowed on the grounds, with some people pitching tents and others parking their RVs. Modern, electric, and primitive camping sites are all available.
Lorrie Gunneson/Shelton Russell - Google Local

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But the highlight here is definitely the Central Park Nature Center, which serves as the heart of the park.
Jones County, Iowa
This mini-museum frequently hosts educational programs for both kids and adults who want to learn more about the ecosystem in the area.
Jones County, Iowa
There is even a small animal exhibit at the nature center, highlighting some of the creatures who call the area home.
Jones County, Iowa
The nature center is typically open seven days a week during the summer, but the park is open for business year round - and is even more peaceful and remote during the snow-blanketed winter months.
Jones County, Iowa

Have you visited Jones County Central Park Nature Center in Iowa? What did you think of this rural Jones County hidden gem? Let us know in the comments section! You can find out more information about hours and amenities on the Jones County website. If you’re coming from far away to visit this small-town destination, make sure you’re stocked up with some road trip snacks – and if you’re looking for a place to stay in the area, check out Jellystone Park in Monticello. It’s only about 20-minutes from the park and is more like a resort with a ton of kid-friendly amenities than a standard campground.

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Central Park, 12515 Central Park Rd, Center Junction, IA 52212, USA