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DNR to discuss construction projects at public meeting

DNR to discuss construction projects at public meeting

  • 1/12/2018 3:03:00 PM
  • View Count 4221
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 23, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Lab Mahan Hall in Wahpeton, IA to discuss construction plans in the Gull Point State Park Complex.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa

Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa

  • 1/9/2018 11:43:00 AM
  • View Count 8714
The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, at Walnut Woods State Park from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., on Jan. 27.
Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

  • 12/27/2017 11:20:00 AM
  • View Count 8087
DES MOINES – What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in one of 27 participating Iowa state parks! Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  
Geode State Park restoration project underway

Geode State Park restoration project underway

  • 12/27/2017 11:11:00 AM
  • View Count 4553
DANVILLE – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will begin renovations at Geode State Park this winter to improve water quality at Lake Geode and enhance accessibility and recreational opportunities in the park.
Save the Date: Spend January 1st on a First Day Hike in a State Park

Save the Date: Spend January 1st on a First Day Hike in a State Park

  • 12/12/2017 1:06:00 PM
  • View Count 6914
DES MOINES - Free, guided hikes will take place in 26 Iowa state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America's First Day Hikes initiative. Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  
Public meeting to discuss bird conservation area near Ottumwa

Public meeting to discuss bird conservation area near Ottumwa

  • 11/21/2017 11:43:00 AM
  • View Count 3976
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will discuss the proposed designation of the region including Soap Creek, Fox Hills and Eldon Wildlife areas, Stephens State Forest, Lake Wapello State Park and Pioneer Ridge Nature Area as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA) during a public meeting on Dec. 7. 
Hiding Out in Union Grove

Hiding Out in Union Grove

  • 11/7/2017 2:27:00 PM
  • View Count 10914
Grab a backpack and discover this best-kept secret among Iowa’s state parks. Spend the day—or a season.
10 hidden surprises at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

10 hidden surprises at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

  • 10/16/2017 3:32:00 PM
  • View Count 23988
Tucked away in the southeast corner of the state, Lacey-Keosauqua is a bit of a hidden surprise in itself. But do you know about these other hidden gems, as suggested by park manager Justin Pedretti?
Water level to drop at Geode State Park ahead of renovation

Water level to drop at Geode State Park ahead of renovation

  • 10/12/2017 8:30:00 AM
  • View Count 3809
DANVILLE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) started lowering lake levels at Geode State Park in Henry County on October 10 as a part of a lake restoration project to improve fishing opportunities.
Blank Park Zoo Monarch Festival

Blank Park Zoo Monarch Festival

  • 9/12/2017 2:53:00 PM
  • View Count 3612
A celebration of the monarch’s journey from Canada, through Iowa, to Mexico, will be held Sept. 17, from Noon to 4 p.m., at Blank Park Zoo, in Des Moines.
Congratulations Maquoketa Caves State Park

Congratulations Maquoketa Caves State Park

  • 9/5/2017 1:02:00 PM
  • View Count 7242
USA Today recently revealed their 2017 Readers’ Choice for Best Iowa Attractions, and the winner is . . . Maquoketa Caves State Park!
State parks looking for volunteers Sept. 30

State parks looking for volunteers Sept. 30

  • 9/5/2017 12:57:00 PM
  • View Count 9485
Iowa’s state parks are looking for volunteers on Sept. 30 for Iowa’s first State Park Volunteer Day.  Volunteer activities will take place in 32 state parks.
Campers ready for Labor Day weekend

Campers ready for Labor Day weekend

  • 8/29/2017 1:15:00 PM
  • View Count 3970
The unofficial end of the summer holiday remains one of the more popular weekends during the peak camping season.  Most of the campsites with electricity in Iowa state parks have been snapped up for weeks ahead of the Labor Day weekend.
Iowa's most Instagrammed state parks

Iowa's most Instagrammed state parks

  • 8/22/2017 10:07:00 AM
  • View Count 21696
For many, when they step outside to enjoy Iowa’s state parks, snapping some pictures is a natural part of the journey. Explore parks all over the state by hiking, biking, relaxing lake side and experiencing extraordinary views – you can start with these 10, which are the parks posted about the most by Iowans on Instagram
Iowa will be touched by the total eclipse

Iowa will be touched by the total eclipse

  • 8/17/2017 8:13:00 AM
  • View Count 7948
FREMONT COUNTY, Iowa -- On Monday, millions of Americans and visitors from around the world will flock to a 70-mile wide path, stretching from Portland, Ore., to Charleston, S.C. They will be there to witness, for what most will be, a once-in-a-lifetime event – a total eclipse of the sun.
Landowners, hunters, bird watchers realize Big Marsh’s benefits

Landowners, hunters, bird watchers realize Big Marsh’s benefits

  • 8/15/2017 11:56:00 AM
  • View Count 9623
Parkersburg, Iowa - The Big Marsh Wildlife Area is a working example of the benefits of taking wet farmland where crops struggle 70 percent of the time and creating a large public area with expansive wetlands and prairies attractive to waterfowl and waterfowl hunters, snakes, shorebirds, pheasants, deer, turkeys and even endangered wood turtles.
Vote now for Iowa's best attraction

Vote now for Iowa's best attraction

  • 8/8/2017 1:29:00 PM
  • View Count 3821
Both Maquoketa Caves and Pikes Peak state parks have been picked as “best Iowa attractions” by USA TODAY for their 10Best Readers’ Choice contest currently underway.
Public meeting to discuss Kent Park Lake improvement plan

Public meeting to discuss Kent Park Lake improvement plan

  • 7/18/2017 3:04:00 PM
  • View Count 4134
OXFORD- The Johnson County Conservation Board (JCCB) will host a public meeting at 6:30 p.m., July 25, at the Conservation Education Center at F.W. Kent Park, to discuss plans for improving water quality and recreational opportunities at Kent Park Lake, in Johnson County.
Backyard forest invasive species field day

Backyard forest invasive species field day

  • 7/18/2017 2:57:00 PM
  • View Count 4037
Registration is now open for an educational forest field day taking place at Hickory Hill Park in Iowa City, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Backyard Forest Invasive Species Field Day will cover issues related to invasive species including identification and management, as well as the establishment of healthy native habitat.  
New cabin opens at Stone State Park

New cabin opens at Stone State Park

  • 6/13/2017 12:44:00 PM
  • View Count 6911
A new camping cabin is available for rent at Stone State Park in Sioux City.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Tuesday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. 
Citizens report Casey Lake fish kill

Citizens report Casey Lake fish kill

  • 6/8/2017 1:51:00 PM
  • View Count 6234
TAMA COUNTY — A fish kill of more than 1,000 small black crappies at Casey Lake in Hickory Hills Park appears to be from natural spawning stress. 
Fishing regulations to be relaxed at Geode State Park

Fishing regulations to be relaxed at Geode State Park

  • 6/6/2017 11:36:00 AM
  • View Count 7826
DANVILLE - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will relax fishing regulations at Geode State Park in Henry County starting June 6, to allow anglers to more freely harvest game fish before the lake is renovated this summer.
Annual Lewis and Clark Festival this weekend

Annual Lewis and Clark Festival this weekend

  • 6/6/2017 11:32:00 AM
  • View Count 6535
Let the Lewis and Clark Festival take you back to a time of buckskinners and exploration at its 33rd annual celebration, June 9-11. The event is held at Lewis and Clark State Park outside of Onawa in western Iowa.
Public meeting to discuss Lake Geode improvement plan

Public meeting to discuss Lake Geode improvement plan

  • 5/25/2017 3:31:00 PM
  • View Count 3789
DANVILLE – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting at6:30 p.m., June 1, at the Linkin Center in New London, to discuss plans for improving water quality and recreational opportunities at Geode State Park in Henry County.
Memorial Day weekend is nearly here

Memorial Day weekend is nearly here

  • 5/18/2017 8:36:00 AM
  • View Count 3995
Iowa campers, picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts are gearing up for the Memorial Day weekend and the official start of summer. If weather continues as it has been, Iowa’s state parks will be busting at the seams. 
Iowa State University to host exhibit on early Iowa state parks system

Iowa State University to host exhibit on early Iowa state parks system

  • 5/18/2017 8:31:00 AM
  • View Count 3769
The Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives is hosting an exhibition entitled “This movement for a more beautiful Iowa”: The Early Years of Iowa’s State Park System. The exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of Iowa's State Parks Act, signed into law on April 12, 1917.
State parks Camping Kickoff is this weekend

State parks Camping Kickoff is this weekend

  • 5/2/2017 12:17:00 PM
  • View Count 4655
It looks like the cold rainy weather is breaking just in time for the weekend when state park campgrounds will celebrate Camping Kickoff, Saturday, May 6.
Time to register for popular U of Iowa wildlife camps at six state parks

Time to register for popular U of Iowa wildlife camps at six state parks

  • 5/2/2017 12:11:00 PM
  • View Count 5847
Looking for a fun, enriching adventure for the kids this summer? Six Iowa state parks will host the popular University of Iowa Wildlife Camps for local families. The conservation education day-camp program will be offered at Maquoketa Caves, Mines of Spain, George Wyth, Springbrook, Viking Lake and Ledges state parks.
Let the camping season begin

Let the camping season begin

  • 4/11/2017 12:28:00 PM
  • View Count 5732
Warming temperatures and other signs of spring have state park staff busy preparing for the start of the 2017 camping season.
Ready for a race in the park?

Ready for a race in the park?

  • 4/4/2017 12:35:00 PM
  • View Count 3610
Combine some of Iowa’s most beautiful landscapes with your love of fitness challenges this year. Check out a new page on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website for a list of fitness events held in Iowa’s state parks.
Family trout fishing event April 8 at Summerset Park

Family trout fishing event April 8 at Summerset Park

  • 3/28/2017 12:01:00 PM
  • View Count 3441
INDIANOLA – A family trout fishing event will be held at Banner Lake South at Summerset Park, north of Indianola, April 8 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will release 1,400 rainbow trout around noon.
Five reasons to rent an Iowa State Parks cabin in the off-season

Five reasons to rent an Iowa State Parks cabin in the off-season

  • 3/10/2017 1:13:00 PM
  • View Count 23450
Have you ever considered staying in a cabin in Iowa state parks? We offer more than 90 cabins in 19 parks across the state. Here are five reasons why you might want to book now and stay in a cabin before Memorial Day:
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