Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park to remain closed through at least April 30 4/14/2020 2:16:00 PM View Count 2932 MAQUOKETA - The caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park will remain closed through April 30, in accordance with Governor Reynolds’ social distancing efforts. The trail system for the park’s most popular caves involves narrow boardwalks and handrails, making it difficult for visitors to maintain physical distances of at least six feet. Visitors can access the rest of the park while the caves are closed.
New changes for Iowa state parks due to COVID-19; campgrounds close 4/7/2020 2:05:00 PM View Count 18751 With the latest closures by Governor Reynolds to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa, we are announcing new changes to park operations, including the closing of campgrounds for recreational use through April 30, 2020.
Iowa state parks reduce some amenities as part of COVID-19 response 3/28/2020 1:42:00 PM View Count 10668 Iowa state parks are continuing to look at ways to help protect the health of visitors and staff during the COVID-19 health emergency. Iowa state parks are still open. However, please be aware of the following operational changes, effectively immediately, before visiting a state park.
Planning underway for renovations at Lake Ahquabi State Park, and Lake Ahquabi and Hooper Lake beginning fall of 2021 3/24/2020 12:13:00 PM View Count 9736 Indianola - Lake Ahquabi State Park and lake are in the early planning stages of a major overhaul to improve park roads, upgrade the campground, fix the lake’s water outlet structure and eliminate the gizzard shad population.
Caves closed seasonally for bat hibernation at Maquoketa Caves State Park 3/24/2020 12:05:00 PM View Count 5478 MAQUOKETA - The caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park will reopen to the public after bat hibernation season on April 15. The popular caves are closed annually from Oct. 15 to April 15 to protect hibernating bats. Visitors have access to the rest of the park while the caves are closed.
A message about Iowa State Parks' response to COVID-19 3/18/2020 3:25:00 PM View Count 15332 We greatly appreciate your support and trust. In accordance with CDC guidelines and state recommendations pertaining to COVID-19, we want to share with you important information about Iowa state parks.
DNR to close Olofson, Banner shooting ranges 3/18/2020 2:45:00 PM View Count 2720 Des Moines, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has closed the Olofson shooting range, near Big Creek State Park, and the Banner shooting range at Summerset State Park, through March 31.
INHF to host State Park Centennial volunteer events at 3 state parks 3/3/2020 12:07:00 PM View Count 2567 Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF), the Iowa Parks Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will kick off INHF's 2020 volunteer season and celebrate the Iowa State Parks Centennial with three volunteer events at Iowa state parks on Saturday, March 21.
Iowa artists help celebrate state parks centennial 2/11/2020 1:54:00 PM View Count 4733 DES MOINES – Iowa’s state parks have inspired visitors ever since the first site, Backbone State Park, opened in Delaware County in 1920.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa Feb. 15 2/9/2020 2:05:00 PM View Count 2588 West Des Moines, Iowa - The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, on Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Walnut Woods State Park, in West Des Moines.
Family trout fishing event this Saturday in Ames 2/4/2020 12:34:00 PM View Count 3354 Ames, Iowa – A family-friendly trout fishing event will be held at Ada Hayden Heritage Park this Saturday, Feb. 8 at noon.
Record-breaking attendance at First Day Hikes in Iowa state parks 1/3/2020 4:39:00 PM View Count 3177 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.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa 1/2/2020 6:58:00 AM View Count 4739 West Des Moines, Iowa - The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, on Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Walnut Woods State Park, in West Des Moines.
DNR conservation officer assists with ice rescue 12/30/2019 9:24:00 AM View Count 4304 WARREN COUNTY, Iowa – On December 27, around 3:15pm, Warren County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call came of two people that had gone through the ice at Summerset State Park and were yelling for help.
DNR to host public meeting on timber harvest at McIntosh Woods 12/26/2019 10:23:00 AM View Count 2373 VENTURA, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 6:30pm at the Ventura Community Center, 4 N. Weimer Street, to discuss salvage timber harvest at McIntosh Woods State Park.
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 3524 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.
Lodge at Palisades Kepler State Park vandalized 12/26/2019 10:15:00 AM View Count 2580 LINN COUNTY -- DNR staff discovered the Palisades Kepler State Park lodge was vandalized sometime in the overnight hours of Sunday, December 23, 2019.
DNR checks on dead fish in Des Moines River 12/13/2019 6:06:00 PM View Count 2872 DES MOINES - DNR staff responded to multiple reports of dead and struggling fish seen along the Des Moines River today.
Iowa DNR receives $650,000 grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust 12/12/2019 1:09:00 PM View Count 3133 DUNDEE, Iowa -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been awarded $650,000 from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to be used at Backbone State Park for infrastructure updating in coordination with the rededication of the park during the centennial celebration year coined, Parks 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 5297 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.
DNR to host open house on future planning at Dolliver Memorial State Park 11/13/2019 11:37:00 AM View Count 2205 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau will be hosting an open house to collect comments on future planning for the group camp at Dolliver Memorial State Park.
Ramsey Subaru donates bike racks to five Iowa state parks 10/22/2019 3:54:00 PM View Count 2073 DES MOINES – Ramsey Subaru of Des Moines has donated $2,500 to purchase bike racks at five Iowa state parks. The dealership will present the check at a small ceremony at Big Creek State Park on Friday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.
DNR to host open house on site of former Camp Aldersgate 10/22/2019 3:52:00 PM View Count 3140 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau will be hosting an open house to collect comments on future planning for the building site at the former Camp Aldersgate.
DNR investigating fish kill in Backbone State Park trout streams 9/30/2019 11:48:00 AM View Count 2526 DUNDEE – DNR staff investigated a fish kill in Backbone State Park Sept. 28 after trout anglers reported seeing dead fish in Richmond Springs and Fenchel Creek.
Governor Reynolds, Iowa DNR commemorates Volunteer Day 9/27/2019 4:12:00 PM View Count 3680 DES MOINES - Earlier this week, Governor Reynolds shared her commitment to volunteerism at her weekly press conference to develop a state employee volunteer policy encouraging workers to give back to communities and causes that benefit our state. This weekend several DNR employees, along with any interested Iowans, have the opportunity to do just that by participating in the DNR’s third annual statewide Volunteer Day on September 28.
Iowa DNR, Imagine Iowa Great Lakes launch seawall repair project 9/24/2019 12:55:00 PM View Count 2999 Okoboji, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Imagine Iowa Great Lakes began work this week to repair the seawall at Arnolds Park. The project will stabilize the foundation of the sidewalk and ultimately serve as a platform for the beautification work led by Imagine Iowa Great Lakes.
State Parks prep for 100th Anniversary at Sept. 28 Volunteer Day 9/24/2019 12:50:00 PM View Count 3121 Iowans can lend a hand at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ third annual statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 28.
Nonresident annual permit for Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks available online September 18 9/17/2019 1:34:00 PM View Count 2532 Nonresidents now have another option to purchase the annual vehicle permit for Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks.
Kent Park Lake celebration to highlight lake restoration project 9/10/2019 2:30:00 PM View Count 3370 OXFORD, Iowa – A celebration of the lake restoration efforts at F.W. Kent Park in Johnson County will be held Sept. 21st, from 1-4:30 pm at the boat ramp at Kent Park Lake, located at 2408 US-6 in Oxford.
DNR removes no-wake speed restriction at Blue Lake 9/10/2019 2:27:00 PM View Count 2819 MONONA COUNTY, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has lifted the no-wake speed restriction, which equates to roughly 5 mph, for boating on Blue Lake at Lewis and Clark State Park.
Red Haw State Park to Host Dedication Ceremony for Donation of New ADA-Accessible Dock 9/10/2019 2:26:00 PM View Count 2411 CHARITON, Iowa – Red Haw State Park will host a dedication ceremony Friday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. for a new ADA-accessible dock donated by the Clarence Ormond Landrum Trust.
Central Park Lake celebration to highlight lake restoration project 9/3/2019 12:24:00 PM View Count 2391 CENTER JUNCTION, Iowa – A celebration of the lake restoration efforts at Central Park in Jones County will be held Sept. 5th, from 5-7:30 pm at the beach at Central Park Lake, located at 12515 Central Park Road, in Center Junction.
Save the date: statewide Volunteer Day is Sept. 28 9/3/2019 12:16:00 PM View Count 2432 Iowa state parks have set Saturday, Sept. 28 as annual Volunteer Day, when Iowans are invited to lend a hand at more than 40 parks hosting clean-up events.
Non-resident user fee pilot project underway at Lake Manawa, Waubonsie state parks 8/27/2019 11:53:00 AM View Count 2762 Council Bluffs, Iowa - With Labor Day Weekend just a few days away, nonresidents visiting Lake Manawa State Park or Waubonsie State Park are reminded of a new nonresident vehicle fee requirement that began on Aug. 15.
Iowa DNR investigating ginseng case at Geode State Park 8/20/2019 12:24:00 PM View Count 2967 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating two individuals from Illinois as part of a ginseng case that began on August 11 at Geode State Park.
Iowa DNR to host open house about Springbrook State Park 8/13/2019 4:11:00 PM View Count 1915 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau is hosting an open house to collect comments on future planning and improvements at Springbrook State Park.
Nonresident user fees at Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks to go live next week 8/7/2019 11:27:00 AM View Count 5332 A new, nonresident user fee will take effect August 15 at Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks.
Southwest Iowa hidden treasure boasts nature 7/10/2019 11:26:00 AM View Count 4270 Hamburg, Iowa –Eli Slusher Wildlife Area, south of Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, offers a wild and rugged get-away-from-it-all kind of experience.
Water level to drop at West Lake Park ahead of restoration 7/10/2019 11:22:00 AM View Count 3426 DAVENPORT – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will start lowering the water level at Lake of the Hills, Railroad Lake, Lambach Lake and Bluegrass Lake at West Lake Park on July 15 as part of a lake restoration project to improve water quality and recreational opportunities.
Celebrate Fourth of July weekend at Iowa State Parks 6/27/2019 8:58:00 AM View Count 5552 Plenty of exciting activities are happening at state parks over Fourth of July weekend. Check out the list below to find a holiday activity near you and make your camping reservation today!
Heavy rains, flooding causing park closures across Iowa 5/26/2019 6:15:00 PM View Count 3895 DES MOINES, Iowa – Rising river levels caused by heavy rainfall lately is forcing some state parks to be closed this Memorial Day weekend.
5 hidden surprises at Stone State Park 5/23/2019 11:45:00 AM View Count 10567 Nestled in the northern portion of Iowa’s Loess Hills overlooking the South Dakota and Iowa border, Stone State Park is rich in local history, diverse plant life and rugged terrain.
Iowa state parks Camping Kickoff is this weekend 4/30/2019 11:42:00 AM View Count 2452 Iowa state parks invite campers to visit this weekend and help celebrate Camping Kick-Off, May 3 – 5.
Ramsey Subaru donating $1,000 to Ledges State Park at April 24 ceremony 4/23/2019 3:16:00 PM View Count 2969 Madrid, Iowa – Ledges State Park is receiving a $1,000 donation from Ramsey Subaru, of Urbandale, that will be presented during a ceremony on Wed., April 24 at 11 a.m.
Geode State Park restoration project starts next phase 4/23/2019 3:10:00 PM View Count 2832 Danville, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start another phase of work at Geode State Park to improve water quality at Lake Geode and enhance accessibility and recreational opportunities in the park.