Discovery Park

Activities

Bird's-eye View of Discovery Park & the Muscatine Arboretum

This park was once the site of the Muscatine County Farm. In its heyday, residents helped work the farm and enjoyed the fruits of their labor! 

Discovery Park also has nature programs available to the public. Stay up to date by visiting our events calendar!

View Public Nature Programs

Habitat & Features

• 100 acres
• Reclaimed farmstead
• Reconstructed prairie
• Wooded hillsides
• Small streams
• 2 Fishing ponds
  • Discovery Pond with accessible fishing dock (near the park entrance)
  • Heron Hideway Pond (behind the Environmental Learning Center)
• Muscatine Arboretum - can best be described as a "living tree museum." This 13-acre feature in Discovery Park showcases a variety of native and ornamental trees and shrubs. 
• Old Barn - is a 1926 Gothic-arched roof dairy barn designed by Louden Manufacturing Company in Fairfield. The barn remains from the Muscatine County Poor Far/County Home Farm. The barn has been restored to its original state with the addition of a metal roof, staircase, and an elevator for accessibility. The historic landmark is maintained by the Friends of the Old Barn, a non-profit organization. The Old Barn was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 2019.

Amenities & Facilities

• Environmental Learning Center
  Free and open to the public 7-days a week (except holidays)
• 3 Reserveable Picnic Shelters
• 2 miles paved hiking/biking trails
• 2 miles of mowed trails
• Accessible fishing dock – on Discovery Pond
• Wildlife viewing blind
• Outdoor raptor enclosure
• Restrooms
• Historic cemetery

Rules & Regulations

• Pets must be leashed.
• Pets must be cleaned up after.
• All state fishing regulations apply.
• Ice fishing is not allowed.

View Rules & Regulations

Special Use Permits

Are required to hold any event that meets one or more of the following criteria. The application must be filed with Muscatine County Conservation at least 45 days before the event. There is a non-refundable application fee of $25, and proof of liability insurance is required.

• Any event where 100 or more people are expected to attend.
• Weddings and/or Receptions
• Any event that charges admission
• Any event that advertises it is open to the public

Contact the Muscatine County Conservation Office for a Special Use Permit.

Discovery Park Driving Directions