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5 more of Iowa's best winter hikes

5 more of Iowa's best winter hikes

  • 1/23/2023 1:05:00 PM
  • View Count 13250
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

6 of Iowa's best winter hikes

  • 1/19/2023 11:45:00 AM
  • View Count 16748
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. 
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.
DNR to eliminate the remaining fish population at Pioneer Park Pond

DNR to eliminate the remaining fish population at Pioneer Park Pond

  • 10/25/2022 11:50:00 AM
  • View Count 3549
CLARINDA - Page County Conservation Board (PCCB) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are partnering to renovate the remaining fishery in Pioneer Park Pond. The DNR will treat Pioneer Park Pond this fall (pending workable weather conditions) with rotenone, a botanical pesticide, to eliminate the remaining fish population. 
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 3255
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.
Popular central Iowa paddling destination closed

Popular central Iowa paddling destination closed

  • 5/10/2022 1:52:00 PM
  • View Count 2482
This week’s warm weather is perfect for paddlers to get out on rivers. Water recreationists should be aware of bridge construction projects across Iowa.
Shoreline stabilization project underway at Silver Lake

Shoreline stabilization project underway at Silver Lake

  • 3/24/2022 1:42:00 PM
  • View Count 1951
LAKE PARK, Iowa - Work is underway on a shoreline stabilization project on the northwest section of Silver Lake, in Dickinson County, that is part of a water quality improvement project for the 1,032-acre natural lake. Due to the nature of the project, the contractor has temporarily closed the northwest access road.
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 1729
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.
Public meeting to discuss yellow bass removal efforts at Lake Cornelia

Public meeting to discuss yellow bass removal efforts at Lake Cornelia

  • 3/8/2022 1:47:00 PM
  • View Count 1905
CLARION – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a come-and-go open house style public meeting from 6-8 p.m., March 22, in the enclosed shelter house at Lake Cornelia Park, 1768 O’Brien Avenue, to discuss non-native yellow bass management options for Lake Cornelia in Wright County.
Campground hosts needed for upcoming recreation season

Campground hosts needed for upcoming recreation season

  • 12/7/2021 1:49:00 PM
  • View Count 5324
Campground hosts general duties include greeting visitors, assisting campers checking in and with reservations, cleaning bathrooms, light maintenance and administrative duties, acting as a liaison between campers and DNR staff and answering questions and disseminating information to campers.
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 3134
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.
DNR still seeking public’s assistance in tubing incident

DNR still seeking public’s assistance in tubing incident

  • 8/22/2021 4:14:00 PM
  • View Count 1790
LINN COUNTY, Iowa – The DNR Law Enforcement Bureau continues to seek the public’s assistance with any tips or information related to a tubing incident on Cedar River at Mohawk Park on August 15, 2021.
DNR seeks public assistance in boat crash

DNR seeks public assistance in boat crash

  • 8/16/2021 11:06:00 AM
  • View Count 1921
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The DNR Law Enforcement Bureau is asking for the public’s assistance with a boat crash that happened on Sunday, August 15 around 2:00pm at Mohawk Park in Cedar Rapids.
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.
DNR investigating fish kill in Ames

DNR investigating fish kill in Ames

  • 7/9/2021 10:20:00 AM
  • View Count 1423
AMES, Iowa – DNR staff investigated a fish kill along Ioway Creek in Ames, Thursday, July 8 after a passerby noticed dead fish mid-morning and called the DNR.
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.
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