DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: hikeReturn

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

• 5/14/2024 12:25:00 PM
• View Count 2158

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

• 12/12/2023 11:53:00 AM
• View Count 3873

DES MOINES – What’s the best way to spend New Year’s Day? Take a First Day Hike in an Iowa state park or forest! 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.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Fourth of July

• 6/20/2023 2:36:00 PM
• View Count 2860

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.Aquatic invasive species move from one water body to another by hitchhiking on boats, in bait buckets and on other equipment used in the water. They can create serious problems for Iowa waters and negatively impact the quality of outdoor recreation experiences.“Aquatic invasive species can reduce native speci...

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

• 5/16/2023 1:50:00 PM
• View Count 2153

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

5 more of Iowa's best winter hikes

• 1/23/2023 1:05:00 PM
• View Count 13249

We couldn’t stop at just six awesome winter hikes - here are five more Iowa State Parks that offer awesome winter experiences from hikes and beyond.

6 of Iowa's best winter hikes

• 1/19/2023 11:45:00 AM
• View Count 16747

As cozy as it is sitting inside and watching the snow fall, getting outdoors can be even more fun. Here are a few Iowa state parks that make bundling up worth it for the memories made. 

It’s almost New Years! Join the First Day Hike Challenge at Iowa state parks

• 12/27/2022 12:51:00 PM
• View Count 9585

DES MOINES – It’s almost time to start 2023 the right way – in an Iowa state park! Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge through the digital State Park Passport. You can also join one of several guided hikes with park or forest staff across the state.

Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge!

• 12/21/2022 2:16:00 PM
• View Count 10112

What are your plans for New Year's 2023? Iowa state parks and forests invite you to join the First Day Hike Challenge.

First Day Hikes at Iowa State Parks: Join the Fun with the Parks Passport and Guided Hikes

• 12/13/2022 12:29:00 PM
• View Count 5446

DES MOINES – So what are you doing over New Year’s?

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Fourth of July

• 6/21/2022 1:02:00 PM
• View Count 3185

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

• 5/17/2022 3:30:00 PM
• View Count 1446

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers. 

First Day Hikes at Iowa State Parks: Join the Fun with the Parks Passport and Guided Hikes

• 12/14/2021 2:57:00 PM
• View Count 1852

DES MOINES – So what are you doing over New Year’s?

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Fourth of July

• 6/23/2021 7:01:00 AM
• View Count 1803

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

• 5/18/2021 1:40:00 PM
• View Count 1894

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

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

• 12/29/2020 11:37:00 AM
• View Count 3247

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

• 12/17/2020 1:45:00 PM
• View Count 4836

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.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Memorial Day weekend

• 5/19/2020 1:32:00 PM
• View Count 3536

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

Record-breaking attendance at First Day Hikes in Iowa state parks

• 1/3/2020 4:39:00 PM
• View Count 3148

DES MOINES – At least 4,358 hikers took part in First Day Hikes yesterday in 49 Iowa state parks, the highest attendance since the annual event began in 2012. The New Year’s Day hikes launched the Iowa state park centennial in 2020.

Ring in the New Year with a First Day Hike celebrating the Iowa State Park Centennial

• 12/26/2019 10:18:00 AM
• View Count 3490

DES MOINES – To start off the New Year, 49 state parks are hosting First Day Hikes on Jan. 1, 2020. The outdoor hikes launch the Iowa state park centennial in 2020.

Save the Date: State park centennial kicks off with First Day Hikes on January 1, 2020

• 12/3/2019 2:21:00 PM
• View Count 5260

Des Moines – Iowa state parks will launch the New Year, which also is the start of the state park centennial year, with outdoor hikes across Iowa. First Day Hikes are being organized at 49 parks, the most to participate since the statewide event began nine years ago.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Fourth of July

• 6/18/2019 2:03:00 PM
• View Count 2271

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking all boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

• 12/18/2018 1:19:00 PM
• View Count 6348

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.  

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Fourth of July

• 6/19/2018 1:33:00 PM
• View Count 3355

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging all boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers

• 5/15/2018 12:01:00 PM
• View Count 4730

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

All First Day Hikes for Jan. 1, 2018 Canceled Due to Frigid Temperatures

• 12/29/2017 2:25:00 PM
• View Count 6299

DES MOINES – With temperatures predicted to dip well below zero, the Iowa DNR has decided to cancel First Day Hikes at 27 state parks scheduled for New Year’s Day. “While it’s a great disappointment to us to cancel this event, the safety of park visitors comes first,” said Todd Coffelt, State Parks Bureau Chief. “We know that frost bite can set in fairly quickly at those cold temperatures, so we are using caution in making this decision.”

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

• 12/27/2017 11:20:00 AM
• View Count 7968

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.  

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

• 12/12/2017 1:06:00 PM
• View Count 6873

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.  

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Fourth of July

• 6/20/2017 12:58:00 PM
• View Count 4020

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers

• 5/16/2017 12:18:00 PM
• View Count 3938

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike in an Iowa State Park

• 12/13/2016 2:18:00 PM
• View Count 10013

Free, guided hikes will take place in 25 Iowa state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative. All 50 states will participate in the sixth annual national event that encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with a guided outdoor exploration.

7 Ways to Skip the Crowds and Take It Outside this Holiday Season

• 11/21/2016 3:57:00 PM
• View Count 16119

Find time to take it outside this holiday season. Pick an activity based on weather conditions and your condition, and just get outside. Iowa’s state parks, recreation areas and forests are ready to supply the dose of nature we all need to decompress during this stressful time of year.

Thank the Trail Crew, Hike a Trail

• 6/28/2016 1:50:00 PM
• View Count 5495

It might be the kind of work you find featured on the reality show Dirty Jobs. The days are long and filled with physical labor -- hauling heavy timbers, large rocks and loads of gravel, clearing brush and digging dirt. At the end of the day, your clothes are sweat-soaked, and your skin is blistered, scratched and mosquito-bit.

Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers

• 6/21/2016 11:26:00 AM
• View Count 5599

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reminding boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams.

Boaters Urged to Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers

• 5/24/2016 1:32:00 PM
• View Count 7154

The Iowa DNR is encouraging all boaters and anglers to “Clean, Drain, and Dry” their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

Iowa's First Day Hikes a Success

• 1/5/2016 9:28:00 AM
• View Count 5160

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.

6 Ways to Start Off the New Year Outdoors

• 12/29/2015 9:37:00 AM
• View Count 8916

What better way to celebrate the new year than by getting outdoors? Here are a few ideas to get your year off to a good start!

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

• 12/29/2015 6:45:00 AM
• View Count 5145

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.

Iowa State Parks Celebrates the New Year with First Day Hikes Across the State on January 1, 2016

• 12/8/2015 7:12:00 AM
• View Count 4999

Des Moines – Iowa State Parks will sponsor free, guided hikes in 17 state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states.

Members Sought for Brushy Creek Board

• 12/8/2015 7:09:00 AM
• View Count 4594

Hikers, bikers and horseback riders interested in protecting, preserving and enhancing the trail system at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area are being encouraged to serve on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Brushy Creek Trail Advisory Board.

Iowa's Best Hikes for Fall

• 9/10/2015 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 96728

Whether you’re looking to get away from civilization for a weekend or just take in some beautiful scenery for an hour or two with the family, Iowa – yes, Iowa – offers some incredible hikes in our state parks and forests, especially in fall. One of the best places to take in Iowa's gorgeous fall colors is in our state parks and forests!

7 More of Iowa's Best Hikes

• 7/16/2015 11:22:00 AM
• View Count 40517

Whether you’re looking to get away from civilization for a weekend or just take in some beautiful scenery for an hour or two with the family, Iowa – yes, Iowa – offers some incredible hikes in our state parks and forests.

Great Escapes: 7 of Iowa’s Best Hikes

• 5/22/2015 7:55:00 AM
• View Count 106689

Whether you’re looking to get away from civilization for a weekend or just take in some beautiful scenery for an hour or two with the family, Iowa – yes, Iowa – offers some incredible hikes in our state parks and forests.