Animals, Outdoor Play and Iowa Farm History at Gilbertson Nature Center
Gilbertson Nature Center near Elgin is the kind of place where a short stop can easily turn into a few hours.
Inside, you’ll find Iowa wildlife displays, a mammoth exhibit and a live honeybee colony. Outside, families can visit the seasonal petting zoo, explore the nature playscape, walk to the pond or head out on the trails.
The larger Gilbertson Conservation Education Area also includes fossil displays, farm and household antiques, picnic areas and nearly 10 miles of trails.
Gilbertson Nature Center Visitor Information
Address: 22580 A Avenue, Elgin, Iowa
Phone: 563-426-5740
Admission: No general admission charge is currently listed
Season: The Nature Center and petting zoo are generally open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
Restrooms: Indoor restrooms are available during Nature Center hours
Allow: One to three hours, depending on how much of the property you explore
The Nature Center and petting zoo are generally open Wednesday through Sunday during the summer. Hours can vary, so call before making a special trip.
Use the Right Address
Gilbertson Nature Center and Gilbertson Park are part of the same conservation area, but they have separate entrances.
Use 22580 A Avenue for the Nature Center, petting zoo, playscape and pond.
The address 1810 Agate Road leads to Gilbertson Park, where you’ll find the campground, Turkey River access and another entrance to the trail system.
A paved trail connects the two areas.
Start Inside the Nature Center
The indoor exhibits focus on the wildlife and natural history of northeast Iowa.
Displays include mounted birds and animals, items visitors can touch and several live animals. One of the largest exhibits features a mammoth, which is likely to get the attention of younger visitors right away.
It also helps show just how different Iowa looked thousands of years ago compared with the farms, woodlands and river valleys we know today.
Watch the Live Honeybees
One of the more unusual exhibits is a working honeybee colony.
Visitors can watch the bees moving through the hive behind a protective enclosure. Depending on the time of year, you may see bees returning from outside, tending the colony or moving through the comb.
It’s worth slowing down and watching for a few minutes. Kids may even try to spot the queen.
Visit the Summer Petting Zoo
The seasonal petting zoo is one of the main family attractions during the summer.
Animals can change from year to year. Previous seasons have included goats, donkeys and other farm animals, so it’s best not to arrive expecting one particular species.
The animals are free to walk away when they’ve had enough attention, so visitors should follow posted rules and give them some space when needed.
If the petting zoo is the main reason for your visit, call ahead to make sure it’s open.
Explore the Nature Playscape
The Nature Explore outdoor classroom is designed for climbing, digging, building and unstructured play rather than traditional playground equipment.
Features have included areas for making music, crawling through a log and digging for a dinosaur.
Kids can move from one activity to another at their own pace, so this is a good place to let them burn off some energy before heading to the pond or trails.
Dress them in clothes that can handle dirt and outdoor play.
Walk to Gilbertson Pond
The four-acre pond near the Nature Center adds another option for visitors who want to spend more time outdoors.
Fishing, paddling and wildlife watching are all possible. A kayak launch provides access for small nonmotorized boats, but don’t count on rentals being available during a regular visit.
Even without getting on the water, the pond is worth the walk. Watch for frogs, turtles, birds and insects around the shoreline.
Look for the Rock House
The Rock House contains displays of Iowa fossils and adds a little geology to the visit.
Access may depend on seasonal hours and staffing, so ask at the Nature Center when you arrive.
Step Into Iowa’s Farming Past
Gilbertson is also a partner site in the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area.
The Mavis and Conner Dummermuth Historical Building contains hundreds of farm and household antiques, including tools, kitchen items and equipment once used in everyday rural life.
Some visitors will recognize many of the objects. Younger visitors may have no idea what they were used for, which can make the collection especially fun to explore together.
The building may follow the same seasonal schedule as the Nature Center, so call ahead if it’s an important part of your visit.
Bring a Picnic
Picnic tables and a shelter near the Nature Center make it easy to turn the visit into a longer outing.
You can explore the exhibits, eat outside and then continue to the playscape, pond or trails without leaving the property.
Bring water, sun protection and clothing that fits the weather.
Explore the Trails
Gilbertson Nature Center is part of a larger conservation area along the Turkey River.
Nearly 10 miles of primitive trails are open to hikers, horseback riders and nonmotorized cyclists. A paved trail also connects the Nature Center with Gilbertson Park and its campground.
Families with younger children can keep the walk short, while visitors with more time can head farther into the woods.
The primitive trails may include mud, roots and uneven ground, especially after rain. Public hunting is also allowed in parts of the conservation area, so check current park information during hunting seasons.
Follow the Paved Trail to Gilbertson Park
The paved trail between the Nature Center and Gilbertson Park provides an easier option for walking or biking.
Gilbertson Park includes Turkey River access, picnic areas, a modern campground and an equestrian camping area.
Campers can use the trail to reach the Nature Center without driving, while day visitors can use it for a longer walk without heading onto the primitive trails.
Camping at Gilbertson Park
Visitors who want to stay overnight can camp at Gilbertson Park.
The campground includes 27 electrical sites, a bathhouse and a dump station. The larger conservation area also has primitive hike-in sites and a separate equestrian campground.
Remember that the campground entrance is at 1810 Agate Road, not the Nature Center address.
Check current rates, availability and reservation rules before arriving.
Is Gilbertson Nature Center Good for Kids?
Gilbertson works especially well for families because there are several different things to do without having to commit to one activity for very long.
Kids can look for the queen bee, see the mammoth, visit the petting zoo, dig in the playscape or take a short walk around the property.
If one thing doesn’t hold their attention, there’s usually something else nearby.
Several of the most popular attractions are seasonal, so the summer months offer the fullest experience.
How Much Time Should You Allow?
A quick walk through the Nature Center may take about 30 minutes.
Allow one to two hours if you also want to visit the petting zoo, explore the playscape and walk around the pond.
Add fishing, paddling, a picnic or a longer hike and you could easily spend three hours or more here.
What Should You Bring?
Closed-toe walking shoes are a good idea, especially if you plan to hike.
You may also want:
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Water
- Snacks or a picnic lunch
- Clothes that can get dirty
- Fishing or paddling gear
- A change of clothes for younger children
Many of Gilbertson’s best features are outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Accessibility and Walking Conditions
Conditions vary across the property.
The area around the Nature Center includes developed visitor spaces, while other areas may involve grass, gravel, dirt or uneven ground.
The paved trail between the Nature Center and Gilbertson Park provides the smoothest walking surface. Primitive trails will be more difficult for strollers or anyone with mobility concerns.
Call ahead if you have questions about parking, building entrances or access to the pond and petting zoo.
Is Gilbertson Nature Center Worth Visiting?
Gilbertson is a good stop for families who want a mix of animals, outdoor play and easy nature experiences in one place.
Kids can watch honeybees, visit farm animals, dig in the playscape, look at fossils and finish with a picnic near the pond.
You don’t need to explore all 10 miles of trails to enjoy the property. Even a shorter visit gives families plenty to do.
Pack a lunch, wear shoes that can get dirty and leave a little extra time in the schedule.
