Ambrose A. Call State Park

Ambrose A. Call State Park is a 138-acre wooded area with hills and ravines along the East Fork of the Des Moines River in northern Iowa. The grounds offer 16 camping sites, 13 with electrical hookups, and two miles of hiking trails that wind through dense forest and along creek banks.

Ambrose Call and his brother Asa marked their land claim on a walnut tree at this location on July 9, 1854, becoming the first European settlers in Kossuth County. This early settlement became foundational to the area's later growth.

A relocated log cabin built from elm wood shows how early settlers constructed their homes and the building techniques they relied on. The structure stands as a tangible reminder of daily life in the frontier era.

The park operates most actively from May through September when the event lodge is open and available for reservations. For hiking and camping, visit during warmer months when trails are dry and the grounds are easiest to navigate.

A 1928 lodge building operates as an event space and is managed by the ranger from a nearby state park. This shared management arrangement connects the site to a broader park system.

Location: Kossuth County

Inception: 1925

Elevation above the sea: 373 m

Website: https://iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/Ambrose-A-Call-State-Park

GPS coordinates: 43.05194,-94.25444

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:03