Linn County Opening New Firefly Campground in June

The new Firefly Campground in Linn County will be opening next month.

Firefly, along with Coneflower and Ridgewood Cabins at Pinicon Ridge Park near Central City, will open for use June 12th. Online reservations are now being accepted. 

These projects, located along the new Firefly Road within the park at the North Access west of Highway 13, have been under construction the past two years. The $4 million campground and cabin project is funded in part by the Linn County Water and Land Legacy Bond. In 2016, Linn County voters approved a $40 million bond issue to support water quality initiatives, park improvements, and trail development. 

The new Firefly Campground is the only online reservation-only campground at Pinicon Ridge Park. There are a total of 32 new campsites on concrete pads, featuring full hook-ups (with water, electricity, and sewer) at $40 a night for a two-night minimum. A new restroom/showerhouse building with four separate rooms has been added to the campground. A new playground is currently under construction and tentatively scheduled for use upon the campground opening. Two new group camps near these campsites will open at a later date. Flying Squirrel and Plains Campgrounds continue to be first come-first served at the park.

Two new wood-framed all-season cabins, Coneflower and Ridgewood, are located just west of Firefly Campground on the bluff near the Wapsipinicon River. Features include four bedrooms (including bunk beds), bathrooms with showers, kitchen, a recreation room, a walkout basement, patio, grill, and fire pit. These cabins will accommodate 10-12 people at $250 a night (two-night minimum or three-night minimum on holiday weekends) or $1,500 for a week-long stay.

Reservations and more about facility rentals can be found by visiting the Facility Rentals page at LinnCountyIowa.gov/Conservation (which links to the MyCountyParks.com website used for reservations).