Three Mile Lodge prices to be lowered

Conservation wants to show off their new-and-improved Three Mile Lodge, and are lowering prices after a meeting of their board last Tuesday.

After slower business than expected since the lodge was repaired after a 2024 tornado, conservation approved lowering prices in a rare move. Instead of $1,400 for a weekend package during the summer (consisting of Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May through October), the weekend package will be $1,200.

From November through April, the lodge will have additional pricing options. Instead of a weekend package during this season, the lodge can be reserved on a daily basis. Fridays and Sundays will run $300, with Saturdays at $500. A weekend would cost $1,100 during the off-season.

The lodge is available on short notice with on-demand prices available three months before the weekend. Prices for this package will be cut in half to $600. Conservation Director Mike Hilger described these options as “user-friendly.”

One other change with rental prices were also enacted. The pet fee for cabins was increased for $20 per day to $40 for the whole stay. Hilger said he’s noticed most guests preferred this new structure, especially those more likely to bring pets over longer stays.

Hilger said he was confident in the current prices for camping areas in both small and large cabins to the campgrounds. As conservation prepares for the summer, keeping prices the same will hopefully entice guests near and far to the nature of Union County.

“Everything is where it needs to be,” Hilger said.

In other conservation news...

Hilger informed the conservation board of early steps in a beach extension project for Three Mile Lake, reinstating a long-time tradition which has been removed in recent years: beach volleyball.

Although in early stages, the plan calls for an extension of Three Mile’s beach to include a safe area for playing volleyball. Hilger said now is a perfect time to do it with the level of the lake being lower than what’s normal.

Conservation approved giving their contract worker, who assists in cleaning cabins between residents, a raise. Hilger previously discussed the value of this contract work with Union County supervisors, saying the work helps assist with other areas of conservation budget, including the depreciation fund which is used for repairing and purchasing equipment.

It’s the season; Union County Conservation is in the process of applying for a South Central Iowa Community Foundation grant to build shelters in wildlife areas in eastern Union County. If received, wildlife areas between Afton and Thayer could receive a handy area of shade.

Bids will be read on Feb. 27 for conservation’s Three Mile hay lease. Every five years, conservation sends a new lease for baling hay on areas of Three Mile for additional fertilization benefits. Areas owned by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources have similar deals.