George Wyth State Park

George Wyth Memorial State Park Covers a total area of about 1,200 acres of land and is located in Black Hawk County, Iowa near Waterloo City. The park is also located along the Cedar River and is within the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area. The park can be accessed using off the IA 218.

George Wyth Memorial State Park was established in 1940 and was initially named the Josh Higgins Parkway after a popular radio character that went by the same name at the time. The park was later on rededicated and renamed after George Wyth, a well-known businessman and conservationist from Cedar Falls City in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

The park has several significant features that make it a popular attraction for people that come from near and far. Some of the significant features of the park include the following. First, the park is a National Urban Wildlife Sanctuary with over 200 different bird species making their home within the park. Additionally, white-tailed deer can be seen all year round within the park. Secondly, the park has several water features including the Cedar River and several lakes. 

The lakes all have their own unique features. For example, Fisher Lake is a 40-acre natural lake. Brinker Lake is a 120-acre lake that is open for power boating; while George Wyth Lake is a 75-acre, no-wake lake that offers wheelchair-accessible fishing.

Other amenities that make this park attractive to all sorts of visitors include grass hiking trails, multi-use paved trails, day-use lodge, several campsites with modern showers and restrooms, swimming beach, open picnic shelters, playground, fishing jetties, fishing pier, boat rentals, and boat ramps. Activities that can be enjoyed at the park include swimming, lake and river fishing, bicycling/mountain biking, cross-country skiing, sailing, boating, windsurfing, in-line skating, hiking, snowmobiling, mushroom hunting, and camping.

You can also bring your tail-wagger into the park for some fun, exercise and relaxation at no extra cost. If you bring your pooch into the park, remember to bring with you a leash that is no longer than six feet long or a secure enclosure to keep your dog in. Additionally, you should be aware that you are only allowed a maximum of two dogs per dog-designated cabin or yurt.