The Linn County Conservation Department announced that the new Firefly Campground and two all-season cabins at Pinicon Ridge Park will officially open to the public on June 12.
Online reservations are now being accepted for both the campground and cabins.
The facilities are located along the newly constructed Firefly Road in the North Access area of the park, west of Highway 13 near Central City. The $4 million development has been under construction for the past two years and was first outlined in the 2015 Pinicon Ridge Park Master Plan.
“Camping has been consistently identified as a priority in parks due to growing public interest in outdoor experiences and nature-based tourism,” Linn County Conservation Executive Director Dennis Goemaat said in a press release.
“This latest park development helps fulfill community and visitor demands for additional and upgraded camping opportunities in these natural settings. As these outdoor recreational trends evolve, parks continue to experience a significant increase in visitors,” he added.
Firefly Campground is the only campground at Pinicon Ridge Park that requires reservations. It features 32 campsites with concrete pads and full hook-ups, including water, electricity, and sewer. Sites are available for $40 per night with a two-night minimum stay.
A new restroom and shower building has been added to the campground, offering four separate rooms.
A playground is currently under construction nearby and is expected to open alongside the campground.
Two new group camps are planned and will open at a later date. The existing Flying Squirrel and Plains Campgrounds will remain available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Located just west of the campground, the Coneflower and Ridgewood Cabins also offer scenic views from a bluff overlooking the Wapsipinicon River. Each cabin includes four bedrooms, bathrooms with showers, a kitchen, a recreation room, a walkout basement, a patio, a grill, and a fire pit.
The cabins are designed to accommodate 10 to 12 people. Rental rates are $250 per night with a two-night minimum, or three nights on holiday weekends. Weekly stays are available for $1,500.
The campground and cabin project received partial funding from the Linn County Water and Land Legacy Bond. The $40 million bond was approved by Linn County voters in 2016 to support projects that improve water quality, enhance parks, and expand trail systems.