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7 Best Iowa State Parks for Adventurers

  • 7/29/2015 10:18:00 AM
  • View Count 18657
Are you hearty, healthy and raring for some fun? Check out these state forests, recreation areas and parks for some challenging and rewarding adventure ideas right here in Iowa.
6 Tips for Hooking Summer Catfish

6 Tips for Hooking Summer Catfish

  • 7/29/2015 9:31:00 AM
  • View Count 24921
Fishing for catfish is a fun summer activity for the whole family. Bring along a cooler with ice to keep your catch cold and preserve that great taste. Try these simple tips for catching Ol’ Whiskers.
4 Before-You–Go Tips for Kayak Camping (and 7 Destinations)

4 Before-You–Go Tips for Kayak Camping (and 7 Destinations)

  • 7/29/2015 8:30:00 AM
  • View Count 36915
Kayaking is a great way to explore the state and get some exercise, but if you intend to stay the night at a paddle-in only campsite, you have to pack thoughtfully. Check out the advice below, approved by DNR paddling expert and instructor Todd Robertson, to help you start camping comfortably with your kayak. And remember, always check water levels before you go.
Explore Guthrie County: A Sleeping Giant

Explore Guthrie County: A Sleeping Giant

  • 7/23/2015 10:27:00 AM
  • View Count 9668
Take a look east, it’s nothing but flat expanse of Iowa gold. Look west, he says, and you’ve got a whole different matter. On the other side of the road, the terrain is hilly and plump with trees—the kind of place people generally drive for hours to pitch their tents on.
9 Quick Camping Cabin Getaways

9 Quick Camping Cabin Getaways

  • 7/22/2015 11:03:00 AM
  • View Count 31688
If tent camping isn’t quite your cup of tea or there’s no truck to pull a camper, there’s no need to give up on the idea of camping altogether. If you want a solid roof over your head or a hassle-free weekend camping getaway, rent a basic family cabin, a camping cabin or a yurt at an Iowa state park!
6 Animals You Might Not Know are Protected in Iowa

6 Animals You Might Not Know are Protected in Iowa

  • 7/17/2015 9:59:00 AM
  • View Count 139895
An animal doesn’t need to be endangered to receive legal protection. In Iowa, there are plenty of animals that might frighten or startle you, but these animals have important roles in our state’s ecology. So the next time you see one of these animals don’t panic, and consider what they contribute to the environment around you.
What To Do If You Have Poison Ivy

What To Do If You Have Poison Ivy

  • 7/17/2015 8:11:00 AM
  • View Count 34476
There can’t be a worse feeling. The itch. The burn, almost sizzling at times. The ugly blotches and blisters on your arms, your legs...anywhere you contacted it. Poison ivy.
Four Water Trails to Explore This Summer

Four Water Trails to Explore This Summer

  • 7/17/2015 7:01:00 AM
  • View Count 12294
If you’re looking to blaze a new trail this summer, consider hitting the water for something different. Iowa boasts a number of water trails, which offer a unique perspective on Iowa in summer.
Create a Cleaner, Safer House with DIY Cleaners

Create a Cleaner, Safer House with DIY Cleaners

  • 7/17/2015 5:59:00 AM
  • View Count 13177
Sure, that spray cleaner can cut through grease and grime quickly. But did you know it might be a household hazardous material? Household hazardous materials (HHMs) are found in nearly every home, under sinks, and in closets, basements and garages. They may make chores easier, but they could also pose a threat to your family’s health, safety and the environment if used or disposed improperly.
7 More of Iowa's Best Hikes

7 More of Iowa's Best Hikes

  • 7/16/2015 11:22:00 AM
  • View Count 40516
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.
Coralville Makes Green Strides for Water Quality

Coralville Makes Green Strides for Water Quality

  • 7/15/2015 9:03:00 AM
  • View Count 6751
Generally, Coralville Lake, just upstream from its namesake town, does its job as a flood control reservoir. But the lake was no match for the floods of 1993 and 2008, creating millions of dollars in damages for the eastern Iowa town.
6 Reasons You’re Not Catching Fish

6 Reasons You’re Not Catching Fish

  • 7/14/2015 8:58:00 AM
  • View Count 86126
Are you struggling to catch fish? Don’t get discouraged – you are not alone. Here are some common reasons why you aren’t catching fish and tips for being more successful.
11 Energy Saving Ideas for Summer Heat

11 Energy Saving Ideas for Summer Heat

  • 7/14/2015 6:50:00 AM
  • View Count 8296
Although this summer has been mild overall so far, the usual July weather has officially arrived with its rising temperatures. Check out these money- and energy-saving tips so you can be prepared to beat the heat.
Explore This Iowan Urban Sanctuary

Explore This Iowan Urban Sanctuary

  • 7/10/2015 10:51:00 AM
  • View Count 7927
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.
6 Nature Foolers: Can You Tell the Difference?

6 Nature Foolers: Can You Tell the Difference?

  • 7/10/2015 8:54:00 AM
  • View Count 20408
Mimicry is about more than flattery for these Iowa organisms. Looking similar to a dangerous model helps the mimics of these pairs avoid confrontation, predation and disturbance, particularly from animals that learn to pick a meal based on what its prey looks like. Can you tell the difference?
Tips and Tricks for Avoiding and Removing Ticks

Tips and Tricks for Avoiding and Removing Ticks

  • 7/9/2015 11:19:00 AM
  • View Count 60419
Not everybody likes bugs and spiders, but even fewer people like a parasite. But don’t let these little critters keep you from enjoying the outdoors this summer. With some preventative actions, you can help keep ticks at bay.
Quick Weekend Cabin Getaways Available

Quick Weekend Cabin Getaways Available

  • 7/8/2015 9:30:00 AM
  • View Count 9142
Currently, Lacey-Keosauqua State Park has five family studio cabins available this weekend for a two-day minimum stay, $50 per day each.
Fishing the Thermocline for Better Summer Success

Fishing the Thermocline for Better Summer Success

  • 7/8/2015 6:57:00 AM
  • View Count 23739
Back in early May, the air was warm and the water was churning in Iowa lakes. Crappies were in tight to shore, ready to drop their life-giving bundle of eggs, and bluegills were just a cast away waiting for their turn. It was spring, the spawn was on and panfish were taking just about anything hook, line and sinker. Anyone could catch fish.
Must-Have Summer Fishing Tips

Must-Have Summer Fishing Tips

  • 7/1/2015 6:18:00 AM
  • View Count 10108
Making plans for summer outings with family and friends this summer? Add fishing to your list. Whether it’s part of your camping trip or just a day trip, schedule time to go fishing. Try these simple tips to get you started.
21 Outdoor Experiences Every Iowa Kid Needs to Try

21 Outdoor Experiences Every Iowa Kid Needs to Try

  • 7/1/2015 5:24:00 AM
  • View Count 30775
From something as simple as chasing fireflies or hiking a trail to bigger adventures like camping and skiing, there are lots of ways to get kids outdoors in Iowa. Use this as a checklist through the rest of the year to guide your outdoor explorations! Be sure, too, to help your kids make a connection between the activity and protecting Iowa’s natural resources. For example, explain how clean water helps the fish when you’re angling. Talk about habitat when chasing butterflies or frogs. Creating these connections ...
6 Tips for Foraging Wild Raspberries and Strawberries

6 Tips for Foraging Wild Raspberries and Strawberries

  • 7/1/2015 4:03:00 AM
  • View Count 35032
Ripe berries taste like a pop of sunshine, even out of a grocery store box. But in Iowa, anybody can go find the real wild thing, and the taste is incredible. The only hard parts are identifying the berries and finding them before wildlife and other foragers do. Use these tips to collect your share of wild berries!
7 Tips to Prevent Drowning

7 Tips to Prevent Drowning

  • 6/26/2015 5:43:00 AM
  • View Count 30930
Each year, drownings affect a wide swath of outdoor users, from people swimming in lakes and rivers, standing on docks and wading in rivers to warm-weather anglers, ice anglers and boaters. As hotter summers push more Iowans toward water, drownings can increase. Luckily, many of these deaths are preventable.
7 Things To Do in Iowa's Outdoors This Week

7 Things To Do in Iowa's Outdoors This Week

  • 6/26/2015 4:21:00 AM
  • View Count 7186
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:
Leave It As You Found It: 6 Camping Tips

Leave It As You Found It: 6 Camping Tips

  • 6/26/2015 3:47:00 AM
  • View Count 14111
A weekend camping in the woods is a great way to reconnect with the outdoors. Thank your host - Mother Nature - by leaving your campsite as you found it or even better than it was when you set up camp with these tips.
Wildlife Rehabbers: What it Takes

Wildlife Rehabbers: What it Takes

  • 6/19/2015 11:07:00 AM
  • View Count 24646
A summer storm. A crack of lightning. A thick tree limb crashes to the ground. From a cavity, once 20 feet above ground, high pitched “chirring” and scratching can be heard. A couple whiskered noses poke out, just ahead of the oh-so-familiar black masks. A litter of raccoons is displaced. Now what?
Paddle Up To These Secluded Campsites

Paddle Up To These Secluded Campsites

  • 6/19/2015 11:02:00 AM
  • View Count 57770
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.
Learn How to Fish By Depth

Learn How to Fish By Depth

  • 6/19/2015 9:09:00 AM
  • View Count 133894
Ever wonder why you're not catching a certain fish? You might be trying at the wrong time of day at the wrong depth. Check out our infographic below to make the right call.
Father's Day Fishing Coupons

Father's Day Fishing Coupons

  • 6/17/2015 4:11:00 AM
  • View Count 9171
Print off these fishing coupons for a quick, easy and fun gift for Dad this Father's Day! (Be sure, though, that Dad has his fishing license before he goes.)
Go Afloat with the Corps of Discovery: Lewis and Clark State Park

Go Afloat with the Corps of Discovery: Lewis and Clark State Park

  • 6/10/2015 9:51:00 AM
  • View Count 11695
“Cast away! Cast away!” With that resounding command, bellowed stem to stern o’er land and water, the stunning 55-foot reproduction of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Missouri-wending keelboat, Discovery, gingerly takes leave of the shores at which the explorers’ expedition arrived on Aug. 10, 1804.
7 Iowa Fish With Open State Records: How to Catch a Record Fish

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

  • 6/9/2015 10:51:00 AM
  • View Count 12630
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.
Rediscover the Joy of Creek Walking

Rediscover the Joy of Creek Walking

  • 6/3/2015 4:55:00 AM
  • View Count 21361
The pair of soft, blue eyes peered deep into the gin-clear depths of the tiny pool, straining to make out anything that wasn’t rock or rubble. Not even a decade old, those eyes were young and fresh and untested—yet the vibrant, cheeky 10-year-old worked them like a hawk eyeing its next meal. And with a quick thrust of her net into the knee-deep water, she brought up her “treasures” from the deep.
A Walk on the Wild Side: Preparation Canyon and Iowa's Loess Hills

A Walk on the Wild Side: Preparation Canyon and Iowa's Loess Hills

  • 6/3/2015 4:34:00 AM
  • View Count 16274
Visiting western Iowa’s razor-ridged Loess Hills on a hot, breezy summer afternoon that eventually succumbs to the ruling grandeur of a moonlit night is surely as intense an experience today as it was for renowned naturalist and University of Iowa professor Bohumil Shimek as he describes it in a section of the 1909 Iowa Geological Survey Annual Report.
7 Ideas to Celebrate Great Outdoors Month in Iowa

7 Ideas to Celebrate Great Outdoors Month in Iowa

  • 6/3/2015 4:01:00 AM
  • View Count 8161
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.
Free Fishing Weekend: What to Know Before You Head Out

Free Fishing Weekend: What to Know Before You Head Out

  • 6/2/2015 11:11:00 AM
  • View Count 8142
Free Fishing Weekend (June 5, 6 and 7, 2015) is the perfect time to take kids fishing or introduce someone to fishing. DNR staff will be at popular fishing spots across the state to assist with setting up fishing poles and distribute free fishing packets to kids that include tips for fishing, bobbers and right-sized hooks for best catching success.
Avoid These Top Tree Killing Practices

Avoid These Top Tree Killing Practices

  • 6/2/2015 10:47:00 AM
  • View Count 13672
Trees add beauty, increase property value, clean the air, provide shade and create habitat. Get the most from your leafy wonders with these simple steps to ensure your trees avert an early demise.
Three Off-The-Beaten-Path Places to Camp in Iowa

Three Off-The-Beaten-Path Places to Camp in Iowa

  • 6/2/2015 10:14:00 AM
  • View Count 71949
Iowa’s state parks and forests offer many beautiful and relaxing campgrounds, but if you’re looking to feel like you’re escaping civilization for a while, here are some top places to rough it in Iowa.
 9 Tips for Training Hunting Dogs

 9 Tips for Training Hunting Dogs

  • 5/27/2015 10:49:00 AM
  • View Count 122257
If you’ve brought home a new puppy this year or want to teach some new skills to your hunting companion, check out these tips on training dogs for hunting.
How to Build a Campfire [Tutorial]

How to Build a Campfire [Tutorial]

  • 5/27/2015 10:39:00 AM
  • View Count 14335
It’s just not a campout without a crackling fire (and the s’mores and hot dogs to roast over it). If building a solid campfire has always eluded you, here are some simple tips to make sure your next campfire keeps blazing bright.
Build Rain Gardens to Hold Water, Beautify Yards, Help Wildlife [Tutorial]

Build Rain Gardens to Hold Water, Beautify Yards, Help Wildlife [Tutorial]

  • 5/22/2015 10:54:00 AM
  • View Count 14339
While rain storms are natural, storm water runoff is not. Flowing from rooftops and surging out downspouts, across the yard, into the street and down the storm sewer untreated, rainfall is routed to the nearest stream or lake. Runoff is often polluted. In its rough and tumble downhill journey, rain picks up heavy metals, oils, fertilizers, soils, sediment, and pesticides.
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