Welter Recreation Area

Vital Stats:

• 79 total acres (63 acre tract below Augusta, 16 acre tract above)
• Three separate loops, 12 electric sites, 22 primitive sites
• Central water
• Central RV dump station
• Picnic shelters
• Horseshoe pit
• Volleyball court
• Restrooms
• Boat ramp

Things to do:

Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Picnicking, Swimming

Description:

Located along the quiet banks of the Skunk River, Welter Recreation Area is Des Moines County Conservation's southernmost Recreation Area. It has been developed primarily as a camping destination and is popular among picnickers, RVers, tent campers, and boaters. Welter Recreation Area actually consists of three separate loops: Sycamore, Maple, and Cottonwood Loops, the entrances of which are all found along Skunk River Road. Because the loops span a 2.5 mile stretch of the Skunk River, Welter Recreation Area is also a popular launching/unloading point for float groups, canoes and kayaks.

The campgrounds only take up a small portion of the overall area which consists of 63 acres spanning between Sycamore and Maple loop, and from Skunk River Road to the river. Above Augusta, Cottonwood Loop resides on additional 16 acre corridor between Skunk River Road and the river. Both sites are open to public hunting outside of the camping season.

History:

In June, 1964, this area was acquired under a 25-year management agreement with the Iowa Conservation Commission (now the Iowa DNR). This area was then developed into 3 "areas" to provide camping facilities. The management agreement was renewed with the Department of Natural Resources in February, 1990 for a 25-year period.

Augusta is situated in a small pocket in the hills along the Skunk River. The first of the European settlers in the area was John Whittaker who located at Flint Hills (Burlington) in 1832, but he and other settlers were driven back across the Mississippi River by Indians. With the Black Hawk Purchase, settlers could legally return to the Iowa side and Whittaker staked a claim near the site of Augusta where he built a log cabin. He later built a stone house, parts of which can still be seen. He also selected a site for a dam on the Skunk River, but sold it in 1835. Levi Moffitt then built a mill--one of the first in Iowa. Part of the rock dam for the mill can still be seen at the site when the river is low. One of the stone burrs from Moffitt's Mill has been used as a base for the fountain in the Shakespeare Garden in Crapo Park. At one time, Augusta was expected to become an important town, but plans for a railroad did not materialize and the town gradually declined.

After this area was taken over by the DMCCB, intensive tree and shrub planting occurred. Facilities were constructed to enhance the use of the areas.

Rathbun Regional water was installed in June, 1992.

Rates:

Electric campsites run for $15 per night while primitive campsites run $8 per night. 

Rules:

1. All campers must self register
2. Maximum length of stay is fourteen (14) days
3. All pets must be on a leash
4. Fires permitted only in containers provided
5. Do not remove or deface natural features or park structures
6. No littering
7. No ATV's, snowmobiles, or horses
8. Keep all vehicles on roads or designated parking areas
9. Quiet hours: 10:30 PM - 6:00 AM

EMERGENCY CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 911

NON-EMERGENCY:

Des Moines County Conservation: 319-753-8260

Des Moines County Sheriff Department: 319-753-8366

Sycamore Loop is the area's most developed loop and features 18 campsites, of which 12 offer electric hookups. Other amenities at Sycamore Loop include a central water supply, a central RV dump station, a shelter house, two outhouses, horseshoe pits, and a sand volleyball court. Sycamore loop, 16839 Skunk River Rd., is the easternmost loop (the farthest downstream) and is located 3.5 miles west of Hwy 61, or 0.9 miles east of the town of Augusta.

Maple Loop is the next loop west and lies on the eastern edge of the town of Augusta. It offers 10 primitive campsites and no electric hookups. The loop features a picnic shelter, outhouse, and central water supply.

Cottonwood Loop is the farthest upstream (west) loop of Welter Recreation Area and offers a picnic shelter, outhouse, and 6 primitive campsites as well as a gravel boat ramp that provides boat access to the Skunk River. Cottonwood Loop can be found 1.1 miles west of Augusta on Skunk River Road.