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Iowa Launches ‘20 Artists, 20 Parks’ to Commemorate State Park Centennial

Iowa Launches ‘20 Artists, 20 Parks’ to Commemorate State Park Centennial

  • 4/19/2019 1:26:00 PM
  • View Count 13630
DES MOINES – In anticipation of the 100th anniversary of Iowa state parks in 2020, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs; and Iowa State University are bringing 20 artists to 20 state parks this summer.
Get ready for camping kickoff weekend, May 3-5

Get ready for camping kickoff weekend, May 3-5

  • 4/16/2019 2:52:00 PM
  • View Count 3170
DES MOINES ⎯ As Iowans eagerly anticipate warmer temperatures, state park staff are preparing for the start of the 2019 camping season. The first weekend of May marks the official launch of the summer camping season with Iowa State Parks’ annual Camping Kickoff celebration.
DNR postpones Fort Madison and Muscatine trout stocking

DNR postpones Fort Madison and Muscatine trout stocking

  • 3/19/2019 11:49:00 AM
  • View Count 2830
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is postponing trout stockings scheduled for Friday, March 22 at Wilson Lake in Fort Madison, and at the Discovery Park Pond in Muscatine, due to heavy ice cover preventing fisheries staff from stocking trout.
Flooding causing closures at state parks

Flooding causing closures at state parks

  • 3/14/2019 2:34:00 PM
  • View Count 5092
The current flooding impacting parts of Iowa is also causing some closures at state parks and recreational areas throughout the state.
Fishing regulations to be relaxed at West Lake Park in Scott County

Fishing regulations to be relaxed at West Lake Park in Scott County

  • 3/12/2019 12:56:00 PM
  • View Count 6735
Davenport – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will relax the fishing regulations at Lake of the Hills, Railroad Lake, Lambach Lake and Bluegrass Lake at West Lake Park starting April 1st to allow anglers to more freely harvest fish before the lakes’ water levels are lowered this summer.
Make an Iowa State Park cabin your Spring Break destination

Make an Iowa State Park cabin your Spring Break destination

  • 3/6/2019 9:19:00 AM
  • View Count 7844
With spring break quickly approaching, make sure you set your plans now for a getaway in one of Iowa’s state park cabins! While the season isn’t in full bloom yet, don’t let that stop you from enjoying a stay at one of 10 state parks with available spring cabins. It’s easy to make an Iowa state park cabin your spring break destination:
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa

Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa

  • 1/10/2019 3:07:00 PM
  • View Count 3899
The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, at Walnut Woods State Park from 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., on Jan. 26.
Outdoors skills classes offered at Olofson shooting range

Outdoors skills classes offered at Olofson shooting range

  • 1/8/2019 12:34:00 PM
  • View Count 4202
Polk City, Iowa - The Olofson Shooting Range, at Big Creek State Park, has scheduled more than 70 outdoor skills programs open to the public in 2019, including hunter education, hand gun basics, taxidermy, Dutch oven cooking, how to use a trail camera and more. Programs begin on Jan. 16 with a course on cleaning and storing guns.  
River Valley OHV Park to remain closed for 2019

River Valley OHV Park to remain closed for 2019

  • 12/27/2018 8:15:00 AM
  • View Count 3406
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The River Valley OHV Park will remain closed for 2019 due to necessary cleanup following floods and a major fire this past summer.
Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

  • 12/18/2018 1:19:00 PM
  • View Count 6398
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.  
Public meeting to discuss Silver Lake improvement plan

Public meeting to discuss Silver Lake improvement plan

  • 11/7/2018 9:45:00 AM
  • View Count 3334
LAKE PARK – The City of Lake Park, Wenck Engineering, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting at 6 p.m., Nov. 14, at the Lake Park Community Center (903 S Market Street) to discuss plans for improving water quality and recreational opportunities at Silver Lake in Dickinson County.
Join state park volunteers this weekend

Join state park volunteers this weekend

  • 9/18/2018 4:12:00 PM
  • View Count 3825
Statewide Park Volunteer Day is this Saturday, Sept. 22. Iowans can help out at more than 40 state parks with activities that may include litter pick-up, staining or painting buildings, planting trees, clearing trails and more.
8 hidden surprises at Maquoketa Caves

8 hidden surprises at Maquoketa Caves

  • 8/21/2018 2:08:00 PM
  • View Count 19998
Maquoketa Caves State Park may be known for its caves and gorgeous scenery, but do you know about these “hidden surprises” suggested by park staff?
Maquoketa Caves State Park to re-open Aug. 24

Maquoketa Caves State Park to re-open Aug. 24

  • 8/14/2018 12:44:00 PM
  • View Count 14224
MAQUOKETA – Maquoketa Caves State Park will open for visitors, including campers, on Aug. 24, just in time for fall travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Flooding forces RAGBRAI to re-route around popular state park

Flooding forces RAGBRAI to re-route around popular state park

  • 7/12/2018 2:15:00 PM
  • View Count 4375
MADRID, Iowa -- Recent high rainfall totals throughout central and northwest Iowa have led to flooding of the Des Moines River and high lake levels at Saylorville Reservoir. This flooding is having a significant impact on the lower areas of Ledges State Park, which is slated to host the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) on Tuesday, July 24th.
Backbone State Park open, no flood damage

Backbone State Park open, no flood damage

  • 7/9/2018 8:11:00 AM
  • View Count 4252
DUNDEE, Iowa – Backbone State Park is open for park visitors and received no flood damage from the many recent rounds of severe weather.
Public Meeting to discuss West Lake Park improvement plan

Public Meeting to discuss West Lake Park improvement plan

  • 6/19/2018 1:30:00 PM
  • View Count 2714
BLUEGRASS –The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Scott County Conservation Board (SCCB), in coordination with FYRA Engineering, will host a public meeting at 5 p.m., June 28, at the Blue Grass Public Safety Building (606 Mayne Street)  to discuss plans for improving water quality and recreational opportunities at West Lake Park.
River Valley OHV Park closed for clean up

River Valley OHV Park closed for clean up

  • 6/12/2018 11:52:00 AM
  • View Count 3020
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources continues to focus on clean-up efforts following a fire at the River Valley OHV Park in April, forcing the park to remain closed for a lengthy amount of time.
Flooding causes closure of state park

Flooding causes closure of state park

  • 6/10/2018 3:02:00 PM
  • View Count 3355
WATERLOO, Iowa – Heavy rains from this weekend have caused flooding of the Cedar River; therefore, George Wyth State Park will be closing Sunday at 6:00 pm.
Storms cause park flooding, closures

Storms cause park flooding, closures

  • 5/4/2018 3:18:00 PM
  • View Count 3436
Heavy rains overnight have forced the closure of George Wyth State Park and portions of Dolliver State Park.
Family trout fishing event Saturday at Summerset Park

Family trout fishing event Saturday at Summerset Park

  • 4/3/2018 1:12:00 PM
  • View Count 3806
INDIANOLA – A family trout fishing event will be held at Banner Lake South at Summerset Park, north of Indianola, this Saturday, April 7 at 11 a.m. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release 1,400 rainbow trout.
Volunteers invited to state park spring clean-up events

Volunteers invited to state park spring clean-up events

  • 4/3/2018 1:09:00 PM
  • View Count 9087
Several Iowa state parks are hosting spring clean-up events to get ready for the summer season this April and May. Events will be tailored to each park’s needs and could include activities such as litter and branch pick-up, painting, trail work, and clipping back limbs and plants.
Iowa State Parks partnering with Farrell’s for defensive technique training

Iowa State Parks partnering with Farrell’s for defensive technique training

  • 3/27/2018 11:51:00 AM
  • View Count 7133
WAUKEE - About 70 Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks staff will take part in a hands-on tactical training hosted by Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping in Waukee, on March 28. The event is part of an overall training curriculum to help park staff hone safety, fitness and verbal compliance techniques.
Pilot Knob State Park Hosting “Back to Basics” Outdoor Skills Class

Pilot Knob State Park Hosting “Back to Basics” Outdoor Skills Class

  • 3/20/2018 12:53:00 PM
  • View Count 5785
For those interested in learning outdoor skills that go “back to the basics,” join DNR Park Ranger Michael Strauser and volunteer instructors at a one-day class at Pilot Knob State Park near Forest City, on Sat., April 28 from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
DNR Park Ranger honored by Iowa OHV Association

DNR Park Ranger honored by Iowa OHV Association

  • 1/30/2018 1:55:00 PM
  • View Count 4324
DNR Park Ranger Christopher (C.J.) Hughes was given a Special Recognition Award by the Iowa Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Association for his education efforts. He received the award at the association’s annual meeting in Williamsburg on Jan. 21.
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