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Archive by tag: CampReturn

Sometimes Procrastination Pays Off

• 8/23/2016 1:43:00 PM
• View Count 12137

Have you been intending to get away with summer, but never quite found the time, or didn’t get a reservation far enough in advance? If you can find time this weekend, eight Iowa state parks have cabins available, including the brand new modern cabins at Lake Darling, and popular CCC cabins at Pine Lake and Backbone.

Campfire Cooking: Dutch Baby Pancakes

• 8/17/2016 3:29:00 PM
• View Count 15301

This sweet, hearty breakfast will please young and old alike. And just by chance, if you have a tiny slice left over at the end of the day, a scoop of ice cream alongside, a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate makes a mighty fine dessert. 

12 Comfy and Cozy Camping Hacks

• 8/17/2016 3:00:00 PM
• View Count 17581

Camping is a great way to reconnect with the outdoors, but the enjoyment you get is partially dependent on your planning. Use the following tips to keep your trip hassle-free—it might make you more inclined to go again!

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Sept 16-18 at Springbrook Ed Center

• 8/2/2016 1:40:00 PM
• View Count 4760

The fall Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop is Sept. 16-18, at the Springbrook Conservation Education Center, adjacent to Springbrook State Park, north of Guthrie Center.

One Family, Five Generations of Backbone Camping

• 6/30/2016 2:03:00 PM
• View Count 11463

One family. Five generations. Five decades camping at Backbone State Park.

Fourth of July Weekend Looks Great for State Park Visitors

• 6/28/2016 1:49:00 PM
• View Count 12039

Iowa state parks are ready to welcome thousands of visitors for the Fourth of July weekend.

It's Not Too Late to Reserve a State Park Cabin

• 6/7/2016 1:59:00 PM
• View Count 4578

Not interested in sleeping in a tent? Don’t have an RV? How about trying an overnight stay in a state park cabin this summer?

Iowa DNR and Iowa Tourism Office Launch Campaign to Promote Family Fishing in the State

• 5/24/2016 1:34:00 PM
• View Count 4981

Des Moines — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa Tourism Office are calling on families to put down the screens and make lasting memories fishing in a new joint marketing campaign launched today.

Camping Season is Underway

• 5/24/2016 1:27:00 PM
• View Count 6565

Many Iowa campers have already taken advantage of this spring’s beautiful camping weather, and many more will join them at the end of the week. Anxious campers are going through their equipment and checking supplies, preparing for the Memorial Day weekend and kickoff to summer. Likewise, state park staff is going through the final stages of prep work for its peak camping season. Iowa’s state parks expect to host more than 900,000 overnight stays and nearly 15 million day visits this year.

Fourth of July Campsite Reservations Open Soon

• 3/22/2016 8:30:00 AM
• View Count 4677

Campers anxious to reserve spots for the Fourth of July weekend should mark April 1 on their calendars, when reservations for a Friday arrival open.

Choose Iowa's Top State Park and Earn a Chance to Win a Free Weekend of Camping

• 3/15/2016 8:04:00 AM
• View Count 4403

DES MOINES — Take time this March to fill out another kind of bracket and support your local state park. Join the DNR’s Park Madness on Facebook, and be in the running to win a free weekend of camping.

Memorial Weekend Campsites Soon Available for Reservations

• 2/16/2016 8:10:00 AM
• View Count 4522

The three month window to reserve a state park campsite for a Friday arrival on Memorial Day weekend opens Saturday, Feb. 27. More than a few campers will plan their arrival for the weekend before Memorial Day and stay through the holiday, which means their window will open Saturday, Feb. 20.

11 Great Winter Cabin Getaways in Iowa State Parks

• 12/30/2015 8:26:00 AM
• View Count 88323

The quiet solitude that makes a perfect winter getaway is waiting for you in beautiful, comfortable year-round cabins at several Iowa state parks. It’s a great time to take advantage of hiking trails (many allow cross-country skiing and snowmobiling), wildlife watching (deer and birds galore), fishing and more.

Nine State Parks Extend Overnight Opportunities

• 11/3/2015 7:54:00 AM
• View Count 5157

Although Iowa’s beautiful fall has lingered longer than usual this year, camping season will come to a close very soon for most people, if it hasn’t already. But don’t let the changing seasons limit your enjoyment of Iowa’s state parks, or the chance to stay overnight, reminds State Park Bureau Chief Todd Coffelt.

8 Camping Hacks to Save Your Weekend

• 9/11/2015 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 26724

No matter how many times you’ve camped, there’s always a new trick or two to try on your next trip. Try these simple hacks yourself to be extra prepared for your next outdoor adventure.

6 Creative Camping Desserts To Give S'mores A Run

• 8/7/2015 10:09:00 AM
• View Count 11622

Here’s a great list of fun and easy recipes for when your wild side has a sweet tooth and regular s’mores just aren’t cutting it anymore.

Cool Gadgets to Make Your Camping Trip Easier

• 8/5/2015 11:03:00 AM
• View Count 18927

While camping in Iowa goes all the way from roughing it to glamping, there’s no denying there are gadgets and gear that are must-haves – and then there are some that are just fun!

4 Before-You–Go Tips for Kayak Camping (and 7 Destinations)

• 7/29/2015 8:30:00 AM
• View Count 36923

Kayaking is a great way to explore the state and get some exercise, but if you intend to stay the night at a paddle-in only campsite, you have to pack thoughtfully. Check out the advice below, approved by DNR paddling expert and instructor Todd Robertson, to help you start camping comfortably with your kayak. And remember, always check water levels before you go.

9 Quick Camping Cabin Getaways

• 7/22/2015 11:03:00 AM
• View Count 31693

If tent camping isn’t quite your cup of tea or there’s no truck to pull a camper, there’s no need to give up on the idea of camping altogether. If you want a solid roof over your head or a hassle-free weekend camping getaway, rent a basic family cabin, a camping cabin or a yurt at an Iowa state park!

21 Outdoor Experiences Every Iowa Kid Needs to Try

• 7/1/2015 5:24:00 AM
• View Count 30779

From something as simple as chasing fireflies or hiking a trail to bigger adventures like camping and skiing, there are lots of ways to get kids outdoors in Iowa. Use this as a checklist through the rest of the year to guide your outdoor explorations! Be sure, too, to help your kids make a connection between the activity and protecting Iowa’s natural resources. For example, explain how clean water helps the fish when you’re angling. Talk about habitat when chasing butterflies or frogs. Creating these connections ...

Leave It As You Found It: 6 Camping Tips

• 6/26/2015 3:47:00 AM
• View Count 14117

A weekend camping in the woods is a great way to reconnect with the outdoors. Thank your host - Mother Nature - by leaving your campsite as you found it or even better than it was when you set up camp with these tips.

Paddle Up To These Secluded Campsites

• 6/19/2015 11:02:00 AM
• View Count 57775

The self-reliant can take advantage of several remote paddle-in primitive campsites, get surrounded by nature and leave other humans behind. The locations make for a Boundary Waters-like experience in Iowa.

Three Off-The-Beaten-Path Places to Camp in Iowa

• 6/2/2015 10:14:00 AM
• View Count 71959

Iowa’s state parks and forests offer many beautiful and relaxing campgrounds, but if you’re looking to feel like you’re escaping civilization for a while, here are some top places to rough it in Iowa.

How to Build a Campfire [Tutorial]

• 5/27/2015 10:39:00 AM
• View Count 14342

It’s just not a campout without a crackling fire (and the s’mores and hot dogs to roast over it). If building a solid campfire has always eluded you, here are some simple tips to make sure your next campfire keeps blazing bright.

Why We Camp

• 5/22/2015 9:11:00 AM
• View Count 9836

Struggling to set up his fold-down camper, my brother-in-law asks, “Tell me again why we do this?”

8 Surprising Memorial Day Camping Getaways

• 5/1/2015 10:22:00 AM
• View Count 20252

Not all hope is lost when it comes to finding a place to camp this Memorial Day weekend, May 22-25. For those who like a little more quiet, don’t mind more primitive camping or are willing to take a chance on a first-come, first-served or “walk-in” campsite, here are some nice possibilities. Try kicking off the summer season with one of these lesser-known state parks:

Get Ready for Spring Camping [Checklist]

• 4/15/2015 6:56:00 AM
• View Count 7315

It's that time of year when it's time to dust off the tents and equipment or pull the camper out of storage. With water being turned on soon in state park campgrounds (parks vary, always call ahead first), it won't be long before camping become a regular activity again. Use our handy checklist to get ready for that first outing of spring!

Six Surprises to Discover at the Spring Becoming an Outdoor Woman Workshop

• 3/25/2015 5:58:00 AM
• View Count 6424

There's just about a month to go before the second annual Spring Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop gets underway at Honey Creek Resort State Park.

12 Iowa Camping Hacks and Tricks

• 8/25/2014 7:30:00 AM
• View Count 27715

If you’re just getting started or are looking for some new ideas, try some of these camping tips and tricks.

7 Things You May Not Know You Can Do in Iowa in the Winter

• 2/27/2014 8:20:00 AM
• View Count 21282

No need to hide under a blanket until the snow melts and the ice thaws - there are lots of great ways to explore Iowa's great outdoors in the winter, too.

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