Ashton Wildwood Park is composed of 113 acres of upland oak-hickory woods. Walking trails down the forested slopes provide a viewing of a wide variety of spring wild flowers. There is a self-guided ½ mile trail that is interpreted by a brochure found at the trailhead. Many of the large oak trees in the park predate the arrival of the pioneers by hundreds of years. Picnicking, camping, and softball facilities are available at Ashton Park. An Astronomical Observatory is located at Ashton Wildwood Park. A list of campground rules may be obtained here.  The observatory is open for free public programs and observing dates can be given by calling (641) 792-9780. You can find Ashton Park by taking Highway F-17 seven miles west of Baxter and turning south on W. 122nd St. N. Look for the park entrance next to the Ashton Chapel. 

The telescopes at the Ashton Observatory are run by the Des Moines Astronomical Society (DMAS).  They have an excellent website for astronomy enthusiasts at www.dmasonline.org as well as a complete schedule of events.  Map This Location

Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve is a 450-acre park and nature preserve located ¼ mile north of the Lynnville exit, off I-80. Follow Jacob Avenue east to the preserve’s entrance. Within the preserve is an extensive trail system for hiking and cross-country skiing, as well as a shelter for both summer and winter use. On the rolling terrain of the preserve are to be found prairies, savanna, woodlands, a 25 acre lake, a marsh, ponds, and wildlife plantings. There are 7 miles of hiking trails within the preserve, that offer excellent viewing of a variety of native wildlife species and habitats. Map This Location 
 

Mariposa Recreation Area is a 151-acre outdoor recreation area located northeast of Newton. Take highway T-12 north and follow the signs to the park entrance. A 17-acre lake lies among the hills covered with pine trees. Fishing and picnicking are the most popular attractions at the area. There is a primitive camping area and a ½ mile nature trail at Mariposa. There is also a fenced area with bison. This is an excellent park for a picnic, and there are many picnic tables and a covered shelter available.  A list of campground rules may be obtained here.  Map This Location
 

Just ¼ mile south of the entrance to Mariposa Park on the gravel road is located another native, unplowed prairie area:
A.C. and Lela Morris Prairie is one of Jasper County’s few remaining native tallgrass prairie areas. The 20 acre memorial Prairie is beautiful with its summer flowering prairie flowers. You can imagine bison grazing in the prairie, the Native Americans hunting there, or the pioneers traveling westward with their wagons through the prairie.

Wagaman Mill, also known as the Old Mill, was constructed in 1848. It has been used as a saw mill, carding mill, flour mill, feed mill, and as a generating station for electricity. The mill is located on the north edge of Lynnville. To get to Lynnville, take exit 179 off I-80 and travel south on T-38. Complete interior restoration and interior interpretation of the wheel house has been done, and is available for public viewing during the summer months.  A picnic shelter and foot bridge across the North Skunk River are found on this historic site, and allows the visitor to enjoy the mill exterior and dam on the North Skunk River when the mill is not open for visitors. The mill is open each Sunday, Memorial Day to Labor day from 2:00-4:00 p.m., or private tours can be arranged by contacting Katie Cantu. Map This Location

For more information on the Wagaman Mill go to:
www.usgennet.org/usa/ia/county/jasper1/history/historical-sites/wagamanmill/

Kish-Ke-Kosh Prairie, located a ½ mile southeast of Reasnor, is a 16 acre preserve. This is a native, unplowed prairie preserve growing on wind blown sand and loess from the last glacial period in Iowa, that ended about 12,000 years ago. The area is named for Chief Kish-Ke-Kosh, who was associated with Chiefs Black Hawk and Keokuk, and who was the leader of a Fox Indian band who often lived in this area.

Jasper County Public Hunting and Access Areas. There are numerous access areas, wildlife preserves and public hunting areas located throughout Jasper County. For more information on these areas, contact the JCCB office, Newton, or call (641) 792-9780.

Be sure to understand and follow all Rules and Regulations in Jasper County Parks.....Learn More>>>>
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Also, don’t miss several other great parks in Jasper County, such as the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, which is located southwest of Prairie City off of Highway 163. More information about this refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, can be found at www.tallgrass.org.

Rock Creek State Park is located 2 miles north of Kellogg. The 602-acre Rock Creek lake, managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is one of central Iowa’s major state parks. More information about this park can be found at http://www.iowadnr.com/parks/state_park_list/rock_creek.html

For more information on recreation in the Newton area, check out the website www.visitnewton.com

Many services are provided by the Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District. Their website has some excellent information and pictures at www.jasperswcd.org