Hickory Hill Park
A sprawling 185-acre natural oasis with diverse trails, abundant wildlife, and ongoing prairie restoration efforts.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Ideal for wildlife spotting
Hickory Hill Park
Best Time
Ideal for wildlife spotting
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sprawling 185-acre natural oasis with diverse trails, abundant wildlife, and ongoing prairie restoration efforts.
"Beautiful, deer everywhere, just the right amount of lively and quiet."
🗺️ Navigate with Care
Many trails are natural and can be confusing. Consider a map or GPS, especially if exploring off the main paths.
👟 Trail-Ready Footwear
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Some paths are rough and uneven, perfect for a good hike.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.7 · 386 reviews
Type
Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Prairie Restoration Areas
Various locations throughout the park
Witness the beauty of native wildflowers and butterflies in these carefully restored prairie sections. A haven for nature lovers!
Shagbark Hickory Trees
Throughout the park
Discover the park's namesake trees, known for their distinctive shaggy bark. A true symbol of this natural oasis.
Abundant Wildlife
Forests and open spaces
Spot deer, listen for owls, and observe various birds and butterflies in this thriving natural habitat.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Trails
Community Conservation
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
New trail at Hickory Hill Park
New trail at Hickory Hill! The start of it is near that red X on the map. There’s an open area as you go up the hill where we have red flags to map out the path. There are some rough leaf dogwoods (4th photo) at the top of the hill that lead to a large area of mature oak trees.…
🗺️ Navigate with Care
Many trails are natural and can be confusing. Consider a map or GPS, especially if exploring off the main paths.
👟 Trail-Ready Footwear
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Some paths are rough and uneven, perfect for a good hike.
Hickory Hill Park warbler walks weekday mornings thru May 23!
The Iowa City Bird Club has expert birdwatchers hosting free hikes in Hickory Hill Park literally every weekday morning for the next few weeks. I went on the first one this morning and we saw 37 species of birds including nesting hawks and owls! The goal of the walks is to see…
Had a rough 2 weeks. What to do to clear my head.
Looking for something to do in Iowa City this week to help clear my head. I'm 23 and into astronomy, golf, woodworking, gaming, and nature. Feel free though to share any other ideas that you may have. Edit: you guys are the best! Thank you for the fast reply of suggestions!
🦋 Butterfly & Bird Watching
Bring binoculars for optimal viewing of the diverse bird and butterfly populations.
🌳 Discover Native Flora
Learn about the various native plants, including the park's namesake Shagbark Hickory.
Invasive species removal at Hickory Hill Park 7/19
** Cancelled due to storms. We’ll try and reschedule ** The Cedar Rapids Iowa City Wild Ones chapter is leading an event to remove invasive species on July 19th at HHP: https://cedarrapidsiowacity.wildones.org/events/?wo_event_id=9663 Friends of Hickory Hill Park typically…
Tips
from all over the internet
🗺️ Navigate with Care
Many trails are natural and can be confusing. Consider a map or GPS, especially if exploring off the main paths.
👟 Trail-Ready Footwear
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes. Some paths are rough and uneven, perfect for a good hike.
🦋 Butterfly & Bird Watching
Bring binoculars for optimal viewing of the diverse bird and butterfly populations.
🌳 Discover Native Flora
Learn about the various native plants, including the park's namesake Shagbark Hickory.
🐶 Leash Your Dog
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash to protect wildlife and other visitors.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Hickory Hill Park is widely praised for its beautiful, well-maintained trails and abundant wildlife, offering a peaceful escape into nature. Visitors appreciate the ongoing prairie restoration efforts and the park's natural charm. Some minor critiques include occasional signage issues and the need for comfortable footwear on the natural paths.
"Great park! Well maintained and clean. Lots of fun spurs and trails to explore! Very pretty in the spring and fall. Many prairie in progress areas that offer beautiful flowers and butterflies! We take our dog on walks here frequently. There's a small parking lot and trash cans. There are also benches and picnic tables on some of the trails. Very nice way to get away from the hustle and bustle of town without going too far!"
Mr J Smith
"beautiful, deer everywhere, just the right amount of lively and quiet"
Moe Florence
"What a unique park, in that it has 7 entrances with many rough paths that are shortcuts to get to areas of the park a lot faster! Not only that, but the park is attached to the Pappy Dickens Preserve, which is beautiful! I've, personally, never seen a city park quite like this. You can learn about so many different plants, trees, birds, and other critters here including, but not limited to the Shagbark Hickory tree, what I believe the park is named after. 🌳 You can hear owls in the middle of the day, which I personally find to be a wonderful outdoors experience. The city plans to expand the park, in the near future, too, which means this park is flourishing! I absolutely love it that they are making an effort to restore prairie throughout this park. It's a good sign for nature (especially given that there's so little native prairie land in Iowa)! This park is well worth getting to know."
Reannah Jones
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Hickory Hill Park has multiple entrances, with a main parking lot often cited near Conklin Lane. It's conveniently located close to amenities like HyVee, making it easily accessible for a quick nature escape.
Yes, there is a small parking lot available. However, due to its popularity, it can fill up, especially on weekends.
Information on public transport access is limited, but its proximity to urban areas suggests it might be reachable via local bus routes. It's best to check local transit schedules for specific routes.
Indeed, the park features seven entrances, offering various access points and often providing shortcuts to different areas.
Yes, Hickory Hill Park is attached to the Pappy Dickens Preserve, offering an extended area for exploration and nature appreciation.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Hickory Hill Park is a public park and does not have an entrance fee. Enjoy the natural beauty for free!
As a public park, Hickory Hill Park is generally open from dawn until dusk. Specific hours may vary, but it's typically accessible throughout daylight hours.
No, tickets are not required for entry into Hickory Hill Park as it is a public space.
Friends of Hickory Hill Park occasionally organizes workdays for conservation efforts. Keep an eye on local community boards or their website for announcements.
Absolutely! Its proximity to town and numerous trails make it perfect for a short, refreshing escape into nature.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The park features numerous natural trails, including walking and running paths. Some are well-maintained main trails, while others are rougher shortcuts.
Yes, birdwatchers will find Hickory Hill Park to be a great spot. You can hear numerous birds, and the diverse habitats support a variety of species.
Picnic tables and benches are scattered throughout the park, making it a lovely spot for a picnic amidst nature.
Hickory Hill Park is a popular spot for dog walkers. Remember to keep your dog on a leash to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.
You're likely to see deer, and you might even hear owls during the day. The park is home to various critters and is a flourishing natural habitat.
📸 📸 Photography
The prairie restoration areas offer vibrant colors for photos, especially with butterflies. The mature forests and Shagbark Hickory trees also provide beautiful natural backdrops.
Yes, with patience, you can capture great shots of deer, birds, and butterflies. Early mornings and late afternoons are often best for wildlife activity.
The golden hours of sunrise and sunset offer beautiful lighting. However, the park's natural beauty is enjoyable at any time of day.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, always be mindful of other visitors and avoid disturbing wildlife.
A versatile lens for landscapes and wildlife is ideal. Consider a wide-angle lens for forest scenes and a telephoto lens for capturing distant wildlife.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit