Big Creek Wildlife Area - Usacoe

Big Creek Wildlife Area in Polk City offers a small but functional 1-acre boat launch on Little Creek with a 14-foot-wide ramp and bulkhead access. This facility provides gateway access from Little Creek into Crab Alley Bay and Eastern Bay, making it a convenient put-in for kayakers and canoeists exploring the Big Creek Lake system. Wheelchair-accessible portable toilets are available year-round.

The adjacent Big Creek Lake is a popular destination for paddlers and motorboaters alike, with a 5 mph wake speed limit enforced throughout. While this ramp is modest in size, boaters should note that five modern ramps are available across the lake system (three on the west side, two on the east) if you need additional launching options. The lake is known for good fishing opportunities with crappie, walleye, and bluegill, plus several fishing jetties and an accessible fishing pier along the shoreline. Canoe and boat rentals are available at the boat concession area if needed.

Overview
Walnut Ridge Recreation Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.Recreation
The 18-hole Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course runs throughout the recreation area. The beautifully...

Overview
Walnut Ridge Recreation Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.Recreation
The 18-hole Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course runs throughout the recreation area. The beautifully manicured course contains both open and wooded fairways with blind pins and tunnel shots.

Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing and swimming opportunities. Anglers fish for walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike.

The paved Neal Smith Trail winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake. It is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating.Facilities
This day-use area offers three group picnic shelters with water and electricity. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground, and hiking trails.Natural Features
The area is situated on a wooded ridgeland on the west side of Saylorville Lake. Large shade trees cover the area.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

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