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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: State ParkReturn

Fourth of July Weekend Looks Great for State Park Visitors

• 6/28/2016 1:49:00 PM
• View Count 12038

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

Temporary Trail Closure at Big Creek State Park

• 6/21/2016 11:35:00 AM
• View Count 4021

Des Moines – The Neal Smith Trail will be closed temporarily near mile marker 24 for repairs beginning Wednesday, June 22. The section of the trail is located near the Gannet Shelter and east boat ramp in Big Creek State Park. Repairs are expected to be completed June 24, weather permitting.

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?

Contracts Abound on Environmental Commission's Meeting in Moravia

• 6/2/2016 11:12:00 AM
• View Count 4571

MORAVIA – Contracts for air, land and water quality dominate the June 21 agenda for the Environmental Protection Commission’s meeting at Honey Creek State Park Resort, 12633 Resort Drive in Moravia. 

Don't Wait for Memorial Day Weekend

• 4/12/2016 7:29:00 AM
• View Count 6757

Don’t wait until the first big holiday of the season to get out and enjoy an Iowa State Park. There are some really cool things to see and do happening right now, before the end of April! Here are five to inspire a trip outdoors, sooner rather than later.

Road Closures at Big Creek State Park

• 4/11/2016 9:40:00 AM
• View Count 4425

Des Moines – The main road into Big Creek State Park will be closed beginning Tuesday, April 12.

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.

Meeting Set to Discuss Proposed Bird Conservation Area in Loess Hills

• 3/1/2016 9:31:00 AM
• View Count 4566

PISGAH, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will discuss the proposed designation of the region including Loess Hills State Forest, Preparation Canyon State Park, and Loess Hills Wildlife Management Area as a state Bird Conservation Area (BCA) at a public meeting on March 16. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Loess Hills State Forest Visitor Center in Pisgah, two blocks west of State Hwy. 183, at 206 Polk Street.

Public Meeting on Blood Run Cultural Landscape Master Plan, March 10

• 3/1/2016 9:16:00 AM
• View Count 4615

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting and open house on Thursday, March 10, to provide information and discuss the cultural landscape master plan for Blood Run State Park.

Iowa State Parks Featured in America's Top Family Fishing and Boating Spots

• 2/23/2016 6:33:00 AM
• View Count 4904

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is searching for the top 100 family fishing and boating spots across the nation, and four Iowa state parks are among those being considered. Iowans participating in the vote can ensure their favorite places to boat and fish are recognized nationally.

Iowa's First Day Hikes a Success

• 1/5/2016 9:28:00 AM
• View Count 5161

Des Moines – Iowa’s Fifth Annual First Day Hikes were a great success according to DNR staff reports. More than 600 people began 2016 with a hike in an Iowa state park, logging more than 1,100 total miles on New Year’s Day.

Iowa State Parks Celebrates the New Year with First Day Hikes on Jan 1

• 12/29/2015 6:45:00 AM
• View Count 5146

Des Moines – Iowa State Parks will sponsor free, guided hikes in 19 state parks on New Year’s Day as part of the fifth annual First Day Hikes initiative.

DNR Seeks Public Comment on Reducing Alcohol-Related Incidents at State Park Beaches

• 12/15/2015 10:08:00 AM
• View Count 5178

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal public comment on ways to reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents that occur on beaches at state parks and recreation areas.

State Parks Impacted by Recent Unseasonable Rains

• 12/15/2015 7:26:00 AM
• View Count 4673

Visitors planning a trip to the following parks may want to double check conditions as recent unseasonable rains have had some impact.

Darling is Back! Premiers This Saturday and Sunday

• 12/8/2015 7:10:00 AM
• View Count 4631

Lake Darling State Park will be the site of the premier showing of “Darling is Back!: The Restoration of Lake Darling,” Dec. 12 and 13, at 3 p.m. and lasts about two hours.

Olofson Shooting Range to Close Dec 20 for Construction

• 12/1/2015 7:04:00 AM
• View Count 8339

POLK CITY - The Charles “Butch” Olofson shooting range at Big Creek State Park in Polk County will close on December 20 to allow contractors to remove the old structures and install a new registration and classroom facility, add new baffles, and conduct lead reclamation and berm maintenance.

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.

7 Stunning Iowa State Park Views for Fall

• 10/8/2015 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 28428

While looks aren’t everything, they certainly don’t hurt when you’re talking about parks. If you haven’t seen the views below for yourself, put these state parks on your list of destinations to hit this autumn. Changing leaves make fall one of Iowa’s most picturesque seasons, so take plenty of photos when you stop to admire the view.

Explore This Iowan Urban Sanctuary

• 7/10/2015 10:51:00 AM
• View Count 7930

By Jennifer Wilson From the July/August 2014 issue of Iowa Outdoors magazine Ask park manager Lori Eberhard what George Wyth Memorial State Park has to offer travelers, and you’d better settle in for a long answer.

Quick Weekend Cabin Getaways Available

• 7/8/2015 9:30:00 AM
• View Count 9145

Currently, Lacey-Keosauqua State Park has five family studio cabins available this weekend for a two-day minimum stay, $50 per day each.

7 Things to Do in Iowa’s State Parks This Summer

• 7/2/2015 6:45:00 AM
• View Count 15790

Whether you're interested in just relaxing or getting adventurous, Iowa State Parks have something for everyone this summer.

Paddle Up To These Secluded Campsites

• 6/19/2015 11:02:00 AM
• View Count 57772

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.

7 Things to Do at Honey Creek Resort State Park This Summer

• 6/11/2015 10:50:00 AM
• View Count 8032

Enjoy the outdoors with your family through these outdoor adventures at Honey Creek Resort State Park.

7 Iowa Fish With Open State Records: How to Catch a Record Fish

• 6/9/2015 10:51:00 AM
• View Count 12633

Put your name as the first entry in the history books by catching one of these seven fish species we added to the eligible State Record Fish species list in 2013. With no records for these fish currently,you can be the first to set the record! Try these tips to help you catch a record fish.

7 Ideas to Celebrate Great Outdoors Month in Iowa

• 6/3/2015 4:01:00 AM
• View Count 8164

Grab the kids or your friends, and get the bike, kayak or fishing pole - June is Great Outdoors Month! Throw the tent in the car and explore some Iowa state parks this month – and if you need a few ideas, here are some great activities and events going on in Iowa state parks this month. For more ideas, visit the DNR events calendar.

Why We Camp

• 5/22/2015 9:11:00 AM
• View Count 9834

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

7 Things To Do in Iowa's Outdoors This Week

• 5/15/2015 10:01:00 AM
• View Count 7380

While the cool weather forecasted for this week doesn’t seem to herald in the unofficial start of summer, it’s still a great time to get outside. If you’re looking for some new or different ideas to explore Iowa’s outdoors, we have a suggestion for each day of the holiday week:

6 Great Iowa State Parks for Spring Fishing

• 5/12/2015 11:41:00 AM
• View Count 19487

Spring is a great time to head out fishing, so grab a buddy, call up Dad or Mom, or load the kids into the car and get out there. Plan a day trip or spend the entire weekend at one of Iowa’s great state parks. Enjoy the beautiful weather and “hook” some memories that will last a lifetime.

8 Surprising Memorial Day Camping Getaways

• 5/1/2015 10:22:00 AM
• View Count 20250

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:

Four Great Spring Cabin Getaways in Iowa State Parks

• 4/10/2015 10:26:00 AM
• View Count 11089

From now until mid-May, state park cabins can be rented for two-day minimums (instead of the week-long requirement during the summer season). Shake off the winter blues by renting a cabin for a couple of days. Take a spring hike or bike ride. Grab some binoculars and do a little wildlife watching. Birding is great during this peak migration time. And, of course, there is always fishing – spring offers some of the best!

Explore Pine Lake State Park This Winter

• 2/11/2015 10:04:00 AM
• View Count 17935

Pine Lake State Park provides the winter adventurer 650 acres of woods garnished with a labyrinth of powdery trails to hike, ski and snowshoe; and spacious, remodeled cabins sporting super-sized stone fireplaces that breathe hickory-tinged heat into every nook and cranny.

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