Campers, don’t overlook county parks. Though not shown on road maps, many of these lesser-known public parks feature facilities every bit as good as state parks, with lower fees. I happened upon Otter Creek Park while on a recent swing through Iowa gathering stories for Woodlands & Prairies. The Tama County Conservation Board operates this 529-acre park Near Toledo in east-central Iowa. It features 65 electric hookups, hiking trails, a 70-acre lake, a nature center, and even a 2-acre native prairie. County parks in Iowa collaborated on a website that provides a very helpful state directory. www.mycountyparks.com Excellent county and other local parks exist in all states, though it might take a bit of searching on the Web to find one near your destination. Some are huge and well-known, but most are well-kept secrets to all but the locals. They’re worth a look whether you’re a tent camper or an RV’er.
