Thomas Mitchell Park
Thomas Mitchell Park
4590 NE 108th St.
Mitchellville, Iowa 50169
Park Office Phone Number: 515-967-4889
Ranger Cell Phone Number: 515-249-1753
Cozy and quiet, this smaller 197-acre park provides the perfect atmosphere for camping, fishing, and hiking. Accessible walkways connect a playground, restroom, horseshoe pits, shelters, ball field, and unique creek access leading into Camp Creek. Surrounding the play area is a mature oak-hickory woodland filled with beautiful wildflowers, mushrooms, deer, and other native wildlife.
Thomas Mitchell Park's recreational facilities include:
- Electric & Non-Electric Campsites
- Youth Campgrounds
- Picnic Areas
- Modern Rental Cabin
- Hiking Trails
- Open Air Shelters
Reservations for the Modern Rental Cabin and campsites can be made on-line at www.mycountyparks.com. Online reservations are available for camping between April 1 - November 30.
CAMPING & RECREATIONAL MAPS
Reservations for the Modern Rental Cabin and some campsites can be made on-line at www.mycountyparks.com. Online reservations are available for camping between April 1 & November 30.
Important Camping Notice: Construction to expand campsites is set to begin this summer, to complete these upgrades the primitive campground will close beginning 7/8/24.
PARK HOURS
Summer |6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. | April 1 - October 31
Winter | Sunrise - Sunset | November 1 - March 31
Unless Otherwise Posted
HISTORY
Thomas Mitchell Park was named after Polk County’s earliest Anglo-American settler, Thomas Mitchell. In 1844, Mitchell obtained early access to the Iowa Territory from Captain Allen, commander of Fort Des Moines. In exchange, Mitchell built a bridge over Camp Creek which was often impassible to wagons traveling from Keokuk and Iowa City to Fort Des Moines. He also built the Apple Grove Inn, in what is today’s Thomas Mitchell Park. Thomas Mitchell was not only an innkeeper, but also a farmer, legislator, sheriff, and operator of a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Numerous improvements were made to Thomas Mitchell Park pond and surrounding area in 2010-2012. Watch this video to learn more.
TRAILS
DeVotie Trail: .6 Miles | Difficulty: Moderate
DeVotie Loop: .6 Miles | Difficulty: Moderate
Pond Trail .5 Miles | Difficulty: Easy
