Managed by the Clayton County Conservation Board, Osborne Conservation Center sits within a county regional park outside Elkader in northeast Iowa. The site runs April through October and includes toilets, picnic tables, trash service, and ADA accessibility. Cell service is available. An on-site animal exhibit draws families with children, and reviewers note the grounds are well maintained. Campers wanting a different setup nearby can consider Elkader City Park, roughly five miles to the northeast.
Description
Osborne Park is open year-round for visitors to explore.
- The Osborne Nature Center features a Native Wildlife Exhibit which is home to a Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Wolf, Coyote, Fox, Raccoon, and various species of avian raptors. You can also explore the Pioneer Village and train depot.
- There are multiple walking/hiking trails located around Osborne, both near the nature center and the pond.
- There are shelter houses available to reserve for special events, they may also be used for picnicking as long as there are no reservations on the given day.
- **New in 2025 the Osborne Campground (water & electric site) is available for reservations. Book your site online or in person. Campground is open May 1-Oct 31 **
- The Nature and Welcome Center has a brochure room with informational guides and brochures on places all over Iowa. There is also an Iowa Room Giftshop which sells made in Iowa goods, as well as many other various items. The Nature Center is located in the basement of the building and it is home to multiple reptile and amphibian species. The building also features a third story which may be reserved, it is a great place to host events and get togethers that may not be well suited for the outdoors, it also features elevator access.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsOsborne Park Campground is located in Iowa near Elkader
Coordinates
42.79300093 N
91.44400036 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 7 min from Dubuque, IA
- 1 hr 7 min from Waterloo, IA
- 1 hr 20 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 1 hr 40 min from La Crosse, WI



