A Quick Getaway to Botna Bend Park

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(Edited)

Hello all today I take you on my Friday daylight getaway. Since I had the day off I decided to take a quick 40 minute drive to a wonderful park that is located basically in the middle of no where. The place I visited was Botna Bend Park located near the tiny town of Hancock, Iowa.

I consider this park a little gem that not many no about. The park gets it name from the Nishnabotna River which has quite a few bends through the park. I didn't bring my fishing gear but thier is river access here. Some of the highlighted fish species in these waters include flathead catfish and carp. Being the Mighty Missouri River near my neck of the woods is flooded this might be my fix for some good ole river fishing 😊

This park offers ample camping opportunities which includes tent, camper and full hookup RV camping. To get in the park there is a $3 entrance fee, if you buy an annual Pottawatomie County park permit you can have unlimited visits here along with other parks in the county. The annual permit cost is $20 for county residents and $25 for non county residents. Yes I get one every year!

Plenty of outdoor adventure here in the 120 plus acre park. Two trails and even an archery range to test your Robin Hood abilities. I decided to take a walk on the Rail Trail. Come walk with me on quick tour of the trail.

All the trails here are basically flat and of a mowed path. I was wearing sneakers which felt good on the path. Once you get in a few hundred feet the sound is enlightened by the sounds of birds. Some you will see and others you won't. I heard owls, wood peckers and numerous other species of birds. I also seen a hawk, blackbirds and a few others. No four legged critters though except a lone squirrel. There was evidence of hair on one of the areas of the trail which I suspect to be that of a deer. Maybe it was from a really shaggy dog but it was pretty course though 🤣

Seeing the different types of plants and flowers is always nice to see. Not planted by man but by nature. Many different colors and kinds. Summer is bright with colors not just in gardens but also in nature in the form of wild flowers.

Well I was on the trail(s) for close to two hours. There were several parts that were split paths. I'll admit I became lost in it, the two trails including the archery range are all inter tangled. I walked and seen most of everything, sometimes more than once 😊 Now if I had a map I would not have got lost within it! Anyways the last sign I seen is one of two big draws to the park, the American Bison. So let me share that with you.

I show you this fence for a few reasons. One is it is rather tall because bison are not all that short and the other animal you will see in a bit is even taller. Second is the area between the wires is pretty wide. One can get a phone and both hands through it. I did this looking for park personnel first and than close by animals next. The closest shot I took of an animal was like 10 feet away except for one time. I was about to take a really close picture of a bison eating out of feeder than he lifted his head up and looked at me. Hands and phone came back to me pretty quickly.

Just an estimate I'd say this bison herd is of about 50 in all. Everytime I see them I can't help to think there were many millions roaming much of the plains. It's sad to think before the turn of the 20th century there wasn't much more than what is here. I don't know the exact numbers today but at least there not close to extinction. They will never be in numbers they once were before people moved westward.

Anyways I spent quite a bit of time watching them. I seen them run, bathe and eat. They are not all big there are some younger ones. The youngest ones were aways in the distance being attended by some adults. This park has housed bison since the 1960s and they stay here all year. They even reproduce in the park. They are not cramped here plenty of area to roam around.

It was entertaining seeing them in the water. The largest one entered the water hole first followed by 3 others. The large one leaned forwards with its head like it was going to take a drink. He started snarling and blowing water everywhere. It was quite funny as the other three stopped what they were doing and all looked back at him. Well what other animal is also here?

The other animal that resides here is elk. Same as the bison about 50 or so in this herd. They also live here year around and also reproduce here. I witnessed them either laying down or grazing. I hoped but I did not get to see any of them running.

The elk had a bit different attitude than the bison. If you got somewhat close to an elk that was laying down it would stand up tall and look at you with that WTF look. I stayed my distance from those that were resting to give them their space.

How big are elk? Think of them almost the same size as an adult horse. The big difference of course is some have antlers. Definitely not an animal in the wild you want to take lightly.

I had a good time at this park. My feelings were like I was out on a vacation far away from home. This park is definitely underated and offers more than what I have shared today. I don't mind that it is like that. Less people more elbow room and not having to worry about personal space.

That's all I have for you this time. Take care, stay safe and enjoy the weekend ahead 😊 Until next time!



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42 comments
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True.. Seeing those nature and animals, it seems you are in a vacation and went to the zoo.😄 Have a joyful weekend ahead.😊

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Oh a wonderful natural place!! Live all that vegetation in the park but specially the bison animals... like Yellowstone! Cool park really!
Happy Weekend amigo! 🤗
!LUV
!HUG

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Thanks Amiga and it's a lot closer to me than Yellowstone 😊 Yes a little of everything at this one. Happy weekend there and hope the weather is cooperating there.

!LUV
!HUG

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!LOLZ
Getting hotter... but some swimming moments !ALIVE

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Here a stretch of abnormal cooler weather. Temps in the 70's F (21°-26° C) no complaints. A nice change as they were up 38° C not that long ago. Enjoy a dip in the water!

!PIZZA

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Hope cool remains there and no super hot 38°😅
!PIZZA

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I actually love the rid that leads to the park even though I may be scared to see any animal there because it looks like the bush
I’m glad you had a nice time!

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Thank you..It's a very nice park. Nah the animals won't strike fear in you as long as you don't mess with them.

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I feel like i'll get lost there even with it's trails, lol. But it's cool they also have archery range. It's like all in one because they have animals too in there which is super awesome. I'll go have a walk in there only if im with my Mama, lol

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Haha right? 😂 Too many paths look the same with the same cut grass look..the archery range was close to where I started so it was a relief seeing it. Hey I got some good exercise 😊

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Hey I got some good exercise

So you got more points now in your stamina, i'm so jealous, I also need that but we dont have a place like that here in our place. We only have a forest that I'm not sure of if it is safe to visit 😆

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It's good that you have a natural space not far from your house where you can visit to be away from the noisy city a little.
Beautiful park, many things to see.
I appreciate that you let us know about this beautiful and natural experience dear friend @coolmidwestguy

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Thanks it really is a great park. I'm actually here again today but fishing this time 😁

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Being with nature gives different feelings of joy and comfort. Your friend that wouldn't betray you😌♥️. But those bison looks scary😬, compared to the elk.

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I'm actually back here today fishing. I seen someone actually petting the Bison as he was right up against the fence. The elk would not do that they would probably snort at you. Anyways I'm not that daring because they still are wild animals after all.

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I won't pet any of them if I were you. Don't know what's on their mind.😬 Maybe because the elk looks like a deer to me in those photos if you didn't mention how big they were.

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(Edited)

Well they are eventually deer but over sized. I seen park ranger in the with the bison. Not sure what they were doing but two bigger ones got into another fenced area and they were trying to direct them back in with their ATVs. Bisonboys...hehe

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I love this view, so green and relaxing..

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I agree a mixture of different plants and trees all with one thing in common green, hehe

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Sounds like a paradise. You know, I could live perfectly well in a caravan. Surrounded by lots of nature... wow, fishing and cooking the fish myself over a campfire.
I think it's a great life out there.

(well, I'd need internet... hahahaha) 😄

Bison, elk! great...

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Well if I was your fisherman today you would go a little hungry. Oh the Nishnabotna River, which I simply refer to as the Nish. I fished the Nish but caught no fish. Caught some ticks and mosquito bites. Sounds like a country song eh? 😂

I did capture a few little toddler bison though 😁

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A beautiful and vast park to wander and get lost in thoughts and literally :) I see why you like it there. It's a paradise! I haven't seen bison or elk in real life and it's awesome to see them from your photos. Kudos to the park management for giving them a good habitat.

LUV

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It's a great close by place I'm glad is available to me to visit. I went back there today to fish. I didn't have luck on my side with the fish but got to see somethings I didn't the day before 😊

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It's so awesome it is very accessible for you. Damn, where did the fish go 😅 But with or without fish, spending time there is still worth it :) Wonder what you saw today 🤔

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Oh I left you hanging, haha. I just seen all of the bison close up I think all the feed bins were recently filled. Caught the bison calfs and funny enough a full grown white bison taking a pee, hehe. Also witnessed two playing with a wooden barrel and some park rangers inside the area chasing two of them with an ATV that got into another fenced area they weren't suppose to be in. Also seen someone petting one through the fence 😲 I wasn't going to take my chances doing that.

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I love the coneflowers and I'll be thrilled to see bison in real life.

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I wish I could have got some better pictures of coneflowers. There were some further off the path and I wasn't going out to them because there was poison ivy.

I didn't say but there is an even closer place to me with Bison. Yup about 10 minutes away there is a ranch where they sell them along with goats. I imagine only homesteads that have other Bison would be buyers. Not me, I hate picking up my own dog's doo could you imagine a bison you would need a snow shovel, lol. I'm sure you cant own as pets anyways.

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hahaha I am just happy to see a Bison. I can't care for pets. The kids are enough already cleaning their butts with poopoo. LOL

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The place is so beautiful Sir @coolmidwestguy I enjoyed watching the flowers. I never see those kind of flowers here in my province

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Yes a very nature type of place. It's nice seeing wild flowers and seeing the different ones across the globe.

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