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Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge!

Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge!

  • 12/21/2022 2:16:00 PM
  • View Count 10113
What are your plans for New Year's 2023? Iowa state parks and forests invite you to join the First Day Hike Challenge.
DNR to host virtual public meeting regarding timber sale

DNR to host virtual public meeting regarding timber sale

  • 11/22/2022 11:38:00 AM
  • View Count 5350
The Iowa DNR will host a virtual public meeting on Dec. 8, 2022 at 6 p.m. regarding a salvage timber sale in Walnut Woods State Park, West Des Moines. The trees in the salvage area need to be removed for construction of the Athene Bridge, which will provide bike and walking trail access across the Raccoon River by connecting Walnut Woods State Park and West Des Moines’ Raccoon River Park. Bridge construction is slated to begin in spring or summer of 2023.
State park campgrounds getting ready for winter

State park campgrounds getting ready for winter

  • 10/25/2022 11:46:00 AM
  • View Count 3209
Another busy camping year in Iowa state parks is coming to an end and staff are winterizing their facilities, including shutting off water in the campgrounds and closing shower houses.
The Walter House

The Walter House

  • 10/25/2022 11:35:00 AM
  • View Count 3256
Quasqueton-native Lowell and Agnes Walter wanted to build a house for their retirement overlooking the Wapsipinicon River, near his hometown. The Des Moines couple owned Iowa Road Building Company in Des Moines and a farm management business in Buchanan County that amassed around 5,000 acres.
Lend a hand in a state park at Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24

Lend a hand in a state park at Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24

  • 9/13/2022 12:20:00 PM
  • View Count 3232
Iowans are invited to lend a hand at the Department of Natural Resources’ sixth annual Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24. Several parks across the state will be hosting volunteer events to help spruce up trails, buildings and other park amenities.
Maquoketa Caves State Park to reopen Thursday

Maquoketa Caves State Park to reopen Thursday

  • 7/27/2022 2:41:00 PM
  • View Count 4130
MAQUOKETA, IA -- Maquoketa Caves State Park will reopen for day use at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28. The campground will remain closed until further notice. All campers with reservations through Sunday, July 31 have been notified and refunded.
Paddle Iowa Waters. Catch Fish. Win Prizes.

Paddle Iowa Waters. Catch Fish. Win Prizes.

  • 5/24/2022 3:30:00 PM
  • View Count 2619
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is excited to launch a new digital passport modeled after the successful State Park Passport created in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of Iowa State Parks.
Red Haw State Park partially opens after tornado damage

Red Haw State Park partially opens after tornado damage

  • 5/17/2022 3:28:00 PM
  • View Count 1515
CHARITON – Red Haw State Park will open to visitors starting May 20 after a March tornado caused extensive damage to the park. The campground and surrounding trails, which are the most heavily damaged areas, remain closed.
Volunteers needed March 27 to cleanup Red Haw State Park

Volunteers needed March 27 to cleanup Red Haw State Park

  • 3/17/2022 3:10:00 PM
  • View Count 1672
CHARITON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is holding a volunteer cleanup day at Red Haw State Park on March 27, from 1-4 p.m., to remove downed branches and small debris from the picnic and beach areas, the dam and east trail deposited in the park by the tornado that moved through Lucas County on March 5. 
Red Haw State Park remains closed due to tornado damage

Red Haw State Park remains closed due to tornado damage

  • 3/15/2022 2:30:00 PM
  • View Count 1730
CHARITON – Red Haw State Park remains closed to visitors following the March 5 tornado through the park. The campground, which is the most heavily damaged area of the park, is anticipated to be closed until Labor Day.
7 hidden surprises at Wildcat Den State Park

7 hidden surprises at Wildcat Den State Park

  • 10/13/2021 10:43:00 AM
  • View Count 7892
Packed with historical, geological and natural wonders, Wildcat Den State Park near Muscatine has surprises around every bend. Here are the can’t-miss features and some finds you may not know about from park staff.
Save the Date: Statewide Volunteer Day is Sept. 25

Save the Date: Statewide Volunteer Day is Sept. 25

  • 9/14/2021 2:54:00 PM
  • View Count 3135
Iowa state parks and forests have set Saturday, Sept. 25 as annual Volunteer Day, when Iowans are invited to lend a hand at nearly 20 parks and forests hosting events.
New state park trail app available

New state park trail app available

  • 7/13/2021 1:27:00 PM
  • View Count 2708
The Iowa DNR has developed an online mapping application to help visitors navigate trails in state parks.
2021 Iowa State Park Passport Offers Open Road, Endless Adventures

2021 Iowa State Park Passport Offers Open Road, Endless Adventures

  • 5/27/2021 9:25:00 AM
  • View Count 5643
Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Tourism Office and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources today announced updates to the popular Iowa State Park Passport to give consumers a fun and engaging way to track their visits to state parks. The launch follows 2020’s successful centennial anniversary, with nearly 30,000 check-ins at parks across the state.
Palisades-Kepler State Park to open April 23

Palisades-Kepler State Park to open April 23

  • 4/21/2021 1:09:00 PM
  • View Count 6020
MOUNT VERNON – Palisades-Kepler State Park, in Linn County, is set to open its gates on April 23, after several months of work to remove damaged trees, downed limbs and clearing other debris caused by last August’s Derecho storm.
Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park open April 15: Tips to plan your visit

Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park open April 15: Tips to plan your visit

  • 4/6/2021 12:36:00 PM
  • View Count 6904
Visitors to Maquoketa Caves State Park can fully explore the park’s caves starting April 15, 2021 after being closed for more than a year due to COVID and winter bat hibernation. Located in eastern Iowa’s Jackson County, Maquoketa Caves State Park is one of Iowa’s most popular outdoor destinations, with the largest cave system in the state, gorgeous scenery and unique geological formations drawing thousands of visitors each year.
Derecho damaged trees focus of proposed salvage timber sale at Walnut Woods State Park

Derecho damaged trees focus of proposed salvage timber sale at Walnut Woods State Park

  • 2/10/2021 6:47:00 AM
  • View Count 2525
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a virtual public meeting to outline a proposed salvage timber sale in Walnut Woods State Park on Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. The salvage timber sale involves trees damaged from the derecho winds in August 2020. Derecho winds damaged multiple trees within the park, which now pose a risk to park users. Each tree was evaluated according to the Iowa DNR tree risk assessment procedure.
Campground hosts needed for upcoming recreation season

Campground hosts needed for upcoming recreation season

  • 1/26/2021 12:07:00 PM
  • View Count 6459
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking people who enjoy the outdoors, camping and meeting new people, to consider becoming volunteer campground hosts for the upcoming recreation season.
Iowa DNR plants more than 100,000 trees on public lands in 2020

Iowa DNR plants more than 100,000 trees on public lands in 2020

  • 12/29/2020 11:39:00 AM
  • View Count 2767
The Iowa DNR reached a milestone goal to plant at least 100,000 trees on state-managed lands in 2020. The tree plantings commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Association of State Foresters, as well as the 100th anniversary of Iowa state parks.
It's almost New Year's! Join the First Day Hike Challenge

It's almost New Year's! Join the First Day Hike Challenge

  • 12/29/2020 11:37:00 AM
  • View Count 3248
It’s time to start 2021 the right way – in an Iowa state park! Join the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19.
Join the First Day Hike Challenge in Iowa State Parks

Join the First Day Hike Challenge in Iowa State Parks

  • 12/17/2020 1:45:00 PM
  • View Count 4839
DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR and Travel Iowa invite Iowans to participate in the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge to ring in the New Year through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19.
Newly launched State Park Passport wraps up successful year

Newly launched State Park Passport wraps up successful year

  • 12/1/2020 12:09:00 PM
  • View Count 3450
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Tourism Office are wrapping up a successful introduction of the new State Park Passport by announcing grand prize winners to the 2020 promotion.
6 ways to safely "Take It Outside" this holiday season

6 ways to safely "Take It Outside" this holiday season

  • 11/24/2020 3:00:00 PM
  • View Count 4948
With the holiday season starting, the Iowa DNR is encouraging families to find safe ways to spend time outdoors this winter. Please be sure to keep your group small, social distance, and wear a mask when visiting places where social distancing is not possible.
Some facilities at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area reopen following derecho

Some facilities at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area reopen following derecho

  • 9/24/2020 9:05:00 AM
  • View Count 1916
LINN COUNTY, Iowa -- Campgrounds, cabins and shelters are now open at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area following the derecho in early August. The trails and the beach remain closed as well as the lodge as DNR staff continue to work diligently to clean up damage left behind by August’s derecho.
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