Lindsay Wilderness

The Van Buren County Conservation Board would like to thank Shirley Strieber and Dorothy Dawson for their generous contributions.  Because of their support, the Conservation is able to work on adding 2 new ponds and a new trail loop this summer.

The projects will be started as soon as the weather permits and a ribbon ceremony will be announced.  Trails may be temporarily closed during the construction time frame. Thank you for your patience.

Some 200 acres of woods and hiking trails run along the northeast side of Bonaparte, and more visiting vacationers are utilizing the area for long walks and mushroom hunting.Christy Creek, which runs through the Lindsay Wilderness Area before emptying in the Des Moines River on the east edge of Bonaparte, is an excellent site and groups of school children take annual class outings to enjoy the nature trails. The Wilderness Area also serves as public hunting grounds during the various hunting seasons. Operated by the Van Buren County Conservation Board, the Lindsay Wildernes Area features second growth and some virgin timber that includes scattered regions of butternut, walnut, sugar maple and hornbeam. A wide variety of native shrubs such as blackberry, raspberry, hawthorne, hazel bush, redbud, and dogwood are scattered throughout.