This series of public land profiles seeks to highlight the cool places where you can spend time in the outdoors in Story County. To learn more, visit Story County Conservation at McFarland Park or go to the Story County Conservation website.
In 1960, Dakins Lake was the first park acquired by Story County Conservation. Currently, the park consists of 103 acres, including two lakes totaling 20 acres. There are 37 campsites with electricity and water, as well as two primitive campsites. At night, Dakins Lake is a great place for stargazing.
Directions: Drive north out of Ames on I-35 and take exit 123. Turn east on County Highway E-18 and pass through the towns of Roland and McCallsburg to reach the town of Zearing. The Dakins Lake entrance is a left-hand turn to the north of Highway E-18.
A shower house and picnic sites are also available. There is one picnic shelter with a kitchenette that is available for reservation.
The Story County Conservation Board and the Story County Board of Supervisors have approved the construction of an all-season cabin at Dakins Lake. The two-bedroom cabin will accommodate four to six people and will be fully modern. There will be a full bathroom and kitchen, a covered deck and an ADA-accessible ramp. When complete, the cabin should be an outstanding destination from which to stage an ice-fishing expedition.
Ecology and flora
Dakins lake has both remnant and restored prairie. Colorful sunsets are common looking west over the prairie. The northwest portion of the park includes three small prairie wetlands. Walking through the prairie allows the opportunity to see native plant species such as tall blue wild indigo.
Tall blue wild indigo is in the same plant family as soybeans, but it is native to Iowa. In the fall, there are large black seed pods on the plant. (Photo: Jim Colbert)There are also some small, wooded areas in the north central portion of the park near the smaller lake. Taken together the park reflects Iowa’s major biomes prior to European settlement: prairie, forest, and wetlands or ponds.
Animals
Canada geese are frequent visitors in the park, as are other bird species. Tree swallows are abundant as they swoop over the lake chasing insects. They are not, of course, the only flying animals searching for dinner. Dragonflies also patrol the prairie, wetlands, and lake eating smaller insects. White-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits and raccoons are other likely visitors.
Nature walk
Dakins Lake has two miles of walking trails. There is a gravel trail circumnavigating the larger (south) lake, and a mowed trail around the smaller (north lake). If you want to do more walking, the Prairie Rail Trail has an access just west of Zearing along Highway 65. This trail runs along an old railroad track about ten miles east to Roland, making a twenty-mile round trip possible for those so inclined.
Other activities
You don’t have to limit yourself to walking around the lake – you can also get out on the lake. Kayaks are available to rent, or you can bring your own paddle craft. Motorized boats are allowed, but only electric trolling motors may be used while on the water. Dakins Lake is a good fishing destination. The lake has been stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, perch and walleye. Dakins Lake is a wildlife refuge. No hunting or trapping is allowed.
—Jim Colbert is an avid outdoorsman, member of the Story County Conservation board of directors and retired biology professor at Iowa State University. You can also follow him on Substack.
