Narrows River Park

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Narrows River Park

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Narrows River Park is open seasonally for riverside fun and offers Missouri River boat access from April through November, depending on weather conditions.

Hours are generally sunrise to sunset or 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Just off I-29 in Council Bluffs Narrows River Park offers a oasis in the metro area. A boat ramp and dock provide access to the Missouri for boating enthusiasts and fishing. A covered shelter overlooking the river invites visitors to stay and enjoy the beauty of the river and the Omaha skyline downstream. In addition to the boat ramp, the 36 acre park includes horseshoe pits, archery range, equal access picnic table with checkerboard, playground and modern restrooms. The park is open sunrise to sunset and is closed November through March. User fee is required for entrance to the park.

10/24/2026

The answer to this week's is.....pirate bugs—genus Orius, also called insidious flower bugs. Insidious, indeed!

It's time we put a name to these little black bugs who swarm upon us every fall: Minute pirate bugs. 🏴‍☠️ As their common name suggests, these landlocked pirates are out exploring the world, plundering for treasure.

While their presence certainly feels like an attack, they are not trying to suck your blood; you aren't even on the menu. Minute pirate bugs are beneficial predators that eat a wide variety of small insects like aphids, mites, and insect eggs, which might earn them an entire chest of gold 🪎 in the eyes of farmers.

So why are they biting, and why does such a small insect hurt so bad? Well, some say they are just testing the waters ⚓ to see if you are a good food source, and if they somehow avoid the smack of your hand, they will fly off to find something they can eat.

Even though this insect is only 2 to 3 millimeters big, it has a surprisingly painful bite because it uses its short, blunt beak to probe your skin. 👽 If you were an aphid, it would use its beak to suck all your insides OUT! Talk about a spooky Halloween Story!

10/23/2026

Bison Fest at Botna Bend Park is coming up on November 7th, also known as ! Join us for:

🧶 Bison wool spinning
🪨 Flint knapping
🚜 Hay rack rides
🦬 Bison artifacts
🍟 Food by Feed Trough
🎨 Crafts
📽️ Video presentations on the Joy Creek Major archaeological site
🪵 Native American Crafts by Shawn Renshaw
🎵 Music by Ron Cisar
🎯 Atlatl throwing

Special thanks to our friends at the Council Bluffs Public Library, The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, and Union Pacific Museum who will also have information tables at this event.

10/21/2026

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10/16/2026

Join us on Halloween Eve for a night hike with no moonlight in sight, thanks to this month's late-rising waning gibbous moon. No need for artificial spooky noises; we will let Mother Nature do all of the work. If we are lucky, we might hear coyotes howling, creatures rustling through leaf litter, or maybe an owl's ghostly hoot.

This is a red-light-only hike, which not only helps to preserve your night vision, but is also less disruptive to wildlife. If you do not have a red light, some will be provided while supplies last. You can DIY a red light by rubber-banding red cellophane or even using a red marker to color your standard flashlight or headlamp.

Pre-registration is required. Save your spot today!
https://www.pottconservation.com/calendar/howloween_night_hike/2026-10-30/

10/15/2026

The answer to last week’s is.....Woolly Bear Caterpillar, Pyrrharctia isabella

We have heard it many times: the old wives' tale about the Woolly Bear Caterpillar.

The width of their brown and black bands can predict the severity of the coming winter. A wider brown band suggests a milder winter, while more black means a harsher winter is expected.

Though their colors do mean something, it unfortunately does not predict the future. Their colors are actually a record of their growing season.

A wider reddish-brown band indicates a longer or more successful growing season, meaning the caterpillar had more time and resources to grow before becoming a moth.

They will find places to hunker down in the fall and live through the winter months before making their cocoon in the spring and emerging as an Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia Isabella). A white to orange to yellow moth that frequents lights at night in midsummer.

What nature lore do you look to as a predictor of the winter ahead?

Moth PC: Patrick Coin
Caterpillar PC: IronChris

10/09/2026

The answer to last week’s is.....not algae or bacteria, but duckweed! Duckweeds are the smallest flowering plants on Earth and are an essential food source for many types of birds, fish, insects, and some mammals.

They are commonly found in bodies of water, especially where there may be high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen—which this fast-growing plant loves! According to the USDA, duckweeds are sometimes even used as a bioremediation method for waterways that are affected by pollutants like excess nitrates. However, their “weedy” nature means they can also quickly overtake a pond or lake, which can lower oxygen levels and impact fish populations. Ah, the joys of Mother Nature’s delicate balancing act!

Problems with duckweed overgrowth are associated with high nutrient levels, which may be caused by fertilizer applications occurring near the body of water, septic leakage, or agricultural runoff. Determining and mitigating the source of excess nutrients is the best way to support a balanced and healthy waterway.

How does duckweed spread? Duckweed mostly spreads asexually through propagation/cloning, which can double a population in just a couple of days. This means aquatic visitors, whether it be a duck, a dog, or even a human, can easily spread the plant from one body of water to another. Several species produce a structure called a turion, which falls to the bottom of a body of water to overwinter, then rises to the top come spring and starts growing. It can also spread through pollination by flies, spiders, and bees, but this is less common.

Other fun facts:

🦟 Duckweed can serve as a mosquito shield, deterring these little suckers from laying their eggs, while simultaneously providing a cozy rest area for bees to take a water break or damselflies to lay their eggs.
🚀 It’s being studied by NASA as a possible solution for treating wastewater as well as a potential fresh food source for space missions.
💩 The city of Devils Lake, North Dakota, treats 3.5 million gallons of wastewater per day with duckweed, which removes up to 91% of phosphorus and 80% of lead.

Photos were taken Arrowhead Parkark which is hosting its annual Chili Fest this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. Don your costumes and join us for hayrack rides, pumpkin painting, and of course, CHILI. 😋

10/08/2026

Our Volunteer Spotlight this week is none other than Botna Bend Park's Green Thumb, Mary Krueger!

From researching which flowers work best around Botna Bend to identifying invasive plants that should be removed to keep native species like milkweed and coneflowers strong and healthy. Mary does it all! Read more about our amazing Volunteer: https://www.pottconservation.com/blog/volunteer_spotlight_mary_krueger_the_green_thumb_of_botna_bend/

10/07/2026

Who else is pumped 🎃 for October?! Spooky season means it’s time to squeeze in a visit to Narrows before we close for the winter.

As a friendly reminder: Narrows River Park closes from November through March each year in conjunction with the end of navigation season.

Make sure you get all your fishing, archery, family gatherings, and airplane viewing in before it’s too late!

Narrows offers two reservable shelters with seating room for 32 or 100 guests. If you’re looking to pull off a “Little Boo” baby shower or an extended family reunion that you can invite your ancestors to 👻—we’ve got your back! 💀

Learn more and book today: https://www.pottconservation.com/parks/narrows_river/

10/05/2026

This is not a trick 🍬 it would be a treat if you would join us at Chili Fest this Saturday, October 10th, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Arrowhead Park

Swing by for games, pumpkin painting, and of course Chili! Costumes are encouraged.

If you plan on bringing chili, please call the office at 712-485-2295 so we can plan accordingly. Thank you.

Not much of a chef? Then stock up on some sweet treats for the trick-or-treaters as they make their way around the campground.
RV spots are filling up fast; 10 electric-only sites are still available. It's going to be a boo-tiful night!

For more info: https://www.pottconservation.com/calendar/arrowhead_park_chili_fest/2026-10-10/

Address

2500 N 25th Street
Council Bluffs, IA
51501

Website

https://www.pottconservation.com/parks/narrows_river/

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