NEW CAMPGROUND TO OPEN SATURDAY AT VOLGA RIVER

A long awaited recreation facility development is now ready for park visitors. The first new campground in an Iowa state park in seven years will open at the Volga River State Recreation Area Saturday during a ribbon cutting. The ceremony is scheduled from 1:30 to 2:30 at the Meyer shelter on the lake shore/boat ramp parking lot.

The new campground was funded by a $1.5 million special appropriation of the Iowa Legislature, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Wenthe, Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, Rep. Roger Thomas, and Sen. Bill Heckroth. The campground is at the north end of Volga River with a view of the lake off in the distance.

The project began when roads for a future campground were built in 2005. In 2008, the legislature approved $750,000 to develop the campground. In 2009, an additional $750,000 was provided. Work began in July 2009 and the project will be concluded on Saturday.

“This campground was built from scratch on an old crop field,” said Scot Michelson, park ranger at Volga River. “We planted trees in the area years ago that are now 12 to 15 years old and will give this new campground a more mature feel.”

The 42 campsites all have electricity and water, and 34 have sewer connections as well. Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table. The camp pads are level, and 11 are paved, pull through sites. There is a new shower building and non modern restroom in the new campground. In addition to the campground, a new modern restroom with drinking water is available on the lake shore at the boat ramp.

Volga River is a recreation area, which means hunting is allowed.

“We do get our share of deer hunters for the early muzzleloader and bow seasons, but the shower building will be closed for winterization by mid October. We will have the electricity on until snowfall when we will close the campground for winter due to the concern for snow and ice on the steep campground access road,” Michelson said.

Volga River has a primitive campground at the south end, which does not offer electricity, showers or flush toilets.

CONTACT: John Maehl, district supervisor Iowa state parks in northeast Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 563-920-1400 or Scot Michelson, park ranger, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Volga River State Recreation Area, at 563-920-3944.