Recreation and Activities

Big Event?  Big, beautiful campus.

Dine among the murals of Christian Peterson, retreat and re-group at the Iowa 4-H Center, or commune with the butterflies while at Reiman Gardens. Iowa State’s campus and surrounding community have unique venues to make your special events even more spectacular. Visit with us to make your event stand out as a one-of-a-kind experience.

Iowa State University Campus Facilities

Ames/ISU Ice Arena

1507 Gateway Hills Park Dr

515.292.6835

  • Indoor ice arena hosts high school and college-level hockey, also offers recreational skating
  • Annually hosts Midwest High School Hockey Championships and ISU Cyclone Hockey games.
  • Public skating
  • Hosts hockey games, including collegiate level

Home to Cyclone Hockey, the Ames/ISU Ice Arena is a perfect escape for fans and skaters of all ages.  Lessons, open skate, and rentals are all available at this location close to campus.

A facility operated jointly by the City of Ames and ISU, the ice arena hosts public skating, skating lessons, hockey games and special events. Located south of the ISU Towers on Mortensen Road.

Beyer Hall

2625 Union Dr

515-294-2466

  • 3 Basketball / Volleyball /Racquetball Courts
  • Large gym equipped with black lights
  • 75-foot Competition Swimming Pool
  • Weight Training Room

This 75,000 square foot recreation building is perfect for your next competition or meet, and has adjacent classrooms and meeting rooms to round out your tournament needs.

Beyer Hall is located on the west side of campus, immediately across the street from State Gym. Beyer offers a variety of fitness equipment, training rooms, and group fitness classes.

Forker Building, Iowa State University

534 Wallace Rd

  • Indoor swimming pool
  • 2 large gyms
  • 2 dance studios
  • 8 Outdoor lighted tennis courts

Whether you are looking for basketball, volleyball, badminton courts, or even performance space – Forker has the flexibility to meet all your needs!

The Forker Building is located on the Iowa State University Campus and features four gyms, locker rooms, and dance studios.

Harvester Courtyard – Iowa State Center

  • Accommodate events from 200 to 6,000
  • Access to power available
  • Adjacent to the Scheman Building

Located in the center of the Iowa State Center, this spacious area is perfect for any outdoor gathering or special event.

Hilton Coliseum

1700 Center Dr

This venue is perfect for exhibit space, meal functions, performances or special events.

  • 20,000 square feet of pillar free exhibit space
  • 14,500 flexible seats
  • Additional meeting rooms available for breakout areas

This unique and flexible space allows everyone at your event to be a part of the “Hilton Magic.”

Hilton Coliseum, a world class facility with 30,000 sq. ft. of pillar free space, is perfect for various convention activities including large or small banquets, meetings and exhibits.

ISU Cross Country Course

  • 8,000-meters (men) 6,000-meters (women)
  • Site of 2000 NCAA Championships, 2008 Big 12 Championships
  • First course in nation designed exclusively for competitive cross country

ISU’s Cross Country Course has been host to 12 NCAA Championships since its dedication in 1995.  This was the first course in the nation designed exclusively for competition cross country racing.

ISU Southwest Athletic Complex

400 S Sheldon Ave

The ISU Southwest Athletic Complex features one field with a seat capacity of 509. There are also batting cages available.

Lied Recreation Athletic Center

518 Beach Rd

515-294-7140

  • 20 basketball courts
  • 4 volleyball courts
  • Racquetball and Badminton Courts
  • 50 x 60 yard indoor artificial turf
  • 1,100 square foot climbing wall
  • Outdoor field for football, soccer or ultimate Frisbee

Lied is a 220,000 gross square foot building with a 120,000 square foot main floor.  Whether you’re planning a competition or special event, Lied has the room and flexibility to meet your needs.

Lied Recreation Athletic Center was built in 1990 and serves as the recreation center on the east side of campus. Lied has an array of activities to suit your workout needs or to just have some fun!

Maple-Willow-Larch Recreation Fields

Beach Ave and Lincoln Way

  • Football fields
  • Ultimate Frisbee Fields
  • Soccer Fields
  • Cricket Pitch

Located within walking distance from the center of campus, this 17-acre space near Maple-Willow Larch Residence Hall ready for any sporting event.

A 17-acre space near Maple-Willow Larch Residence Hall is ready for any special event or sporting event. The fields can be used for football, ultimate frisbee, soccer, cricket pitch, and many others.

Reiman Gardens

1407 S. University Blvd

515.294.2710

  • Largest public gardens in Iowa
  • Conservatory Complex
  • 14-acre complex

Reiman Gardens offers a beautiful setting for weddings, corporate retreats, holiday parties, special events and more! We’ve combined facilities and open spaces to create a flexible, affordable option for your next gathering, large or small.

17-acre public botanical garden including tropical plant conservatory, butterfly wing with hundreds of live butterflies, and gift shop. Events open to the public and annual changing displays.

Southeast Recreation Field Complex

University Blvd and Center Dr

  • Includes football, soccer and softball fields
  • Free parking on gravel
  • Easy accessibility from University Boulevard
  • 53-acre space complete with free parking for all athletes and spectators.

The Southeast Recreation Fields feature 53 acres of fields, six sand volleyball courts, 12 softball fields, 12 soccer fields and 12 Ultimate fields and is located just east of Jack Trice Stadium.

State Gym

2642 Union Dr

515-294-6640

  • 5 Courts to fit a variety of sports
  • 125 Pieces of weight and cardio equipment
  • 2 Indoor running tracks
  • Competition level diving & swimming options
  • Rock and Bouldering climbing walls

Courts, Courts, Courts! With 5 basketball, 3 volleyball, and 9 badminton courts-State Gym is perfect for competition or recreation!

State Gym is located on the west side of campus. It was recently renovated in 2012 and now offers a variety of new amenities such as the rock climbing wall and a leisure pool with a high-dive.

Towers Recreation Field

Mortensen Rd

  • Lacrosse Fields
  • 10 acres of various athletic fields or open space for special events

The Towers Recreation Fields are conveniently located next to the Towers Residence Halls. The 44 acres are perfect for football, soccer and lacrosse!

Off-Campus ISU Option

Clover Woods Camp & Retreat Center

1991 Peach Ave

515.795.3338

  • Challenge Course
  • 360 beds for rental
  • Onsite Dining facilities

Clover Woods Camp & Retreat Center offers a year-round option for great team building opportunities.

Clover Woods Camp & Retreat Center offers year-round outdoor & recreational options along with lodging & meals on 1,100 acres of wooded bluffs and native prairies. Meeting space for up to 200.