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DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: Iowa StateReturn

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

• 12/18/2018 1:19:00 PM
• View Count 6354

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.  

One thousand volunteers expected at Iowa State Parks’ Volunteer Day, Sept. 22

• 9/11/2018 1:09:00 PM
• View Count 8750

Iowans can help make their park a better place on Sept. 22 as more than 40 state parks will participate in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) second annual statewide Volunteer Day.

8 hidden surprises at Maquoketa Caves

• 8/21/2018 2:08:00 PM
• View Count 19858

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?

Two organizations to receive Governor’s Volunteer Awards for work in Iowa State Parks

• 6/19/2018 1:27:00 PM
• View Count 6780

Biolife Plasma Services of Ankeny and the Friends of Cedar Rock, from Quasqueton, are recipients of 2018 Governor’s Volunteer Awards.

Nine Iowa state parks to host University of Iowa Wildlife Camps

• 4/10/2018 1:53:00 PM
• View Count 4451

This summer, the University of Iowa is partnering with Iowa state parks to host Wildlife Camps for kids in nine state parks.  

State archery tournament begins March 10 in Des Moines

• 2/27/2018 11:31:00 AM
• View Count 4689

An estimated 1,900 Iowa students in grades four through 12 will be at the Iowa State Fairgrounds March 10-11 competing in the Iowa State Archery Tournament.

Join a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day

• 12/27/2017 11:20:00 AM
• View Count 7983

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.  

DNR releases 2017 Iowa Statewide Waste Characterization Study; food waste and plastics top the list

• 12/14/2017 11:47:00 AM
• View Count 12233

DES MOINES — A recently released study shows what Iowans are throwing away, and what could be spared from the landfill. 

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

• 12/12/2017 1:06:00 PM
• View Count 6879

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.  

Iowa's most Instagrammed state parks

• 8/22/2017 10:07:00 AM
• View Count 21566

For many, when they step outside to enjoy Iowa’s state parks, snapping some pictures is a natural part of the journey. Explore parks all over the state by hiking, biking, relaxing lake side and experiencing extraordinary views – you can start with these 10, which are the parks posted about the most by Iowans on Instagram

Visit the Iowa DNR at the 2017 Iowa State Fair

• 8/9/2017 9:51:00 AM
• View Count 3758

As the 2017 Iowa State Fair kicks off, be sure to stop by the DNR building located at the west end of the fairgrounds near Gate 11.

Save the dates for upcoming Client Contact & EPC meetings

• 5/31/2017 9:59:00 AM
• View Count 3469

The DNR invites you to upcoming Client Contact and Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) meetings.

Time is running out to register for popular wildlife camps at six state parks

• 5/30/2017 2:17:00 PM
• View Count 3960

Six Iowa state parks are proud to host the popular University of Iowa Wildlife Camps for local families, but enrollment is limited and registration will end soon for the June camps.

Iowa State University to host exhibit on early Iowa state parks system

• 5/18/2017 8:31:00 AM
• View Count 3738

The Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives is hosting an exhibition entitled “This movement for a more beautiful Iowa”: The Early Years of Iowa’s State Park System. The exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of Iowa's State Parks Act, signed into law on April 12, 1917.

Iowa Central shooters take individual, squad, team titles at Iowa State Collegiate Trap Championship

• 5/3/2017 3:41:00 PM
• View Count 3678

ACKLEY, Iowa - The Stockdale Gun Club, near Ackley, hosted 77 athletes from seven teams for the Iowa State Collegiate Trap Championship on May 1.

Time to register for popular U of Iowa wildlife camps at six state parks

• 5/2/2017 12:11:00 PM
• View Count 5815

Looking for a fun, enriching adventure for the kids this summer? Six Iowa state parks will host the popular University of Iowa Wildlife Camps for local families. The conservation education day-camp program will be offered at Maquoketa Caves, Mines of Spain, George Wyth, Springbrook, Viking Lake and Ledges state parks.

2017 DNR sale set for April 22

• 3/28/2017 12:02:00 PM
• View Count 125168

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR will hold the 2017 spring auction on April 22, at Pioneer Livestock Pavilion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, in Des Moines.  Doors will open at 7 a.m., and the auction will begin at 8:30 a.m.

4th of July weekend campsite reservations open soon

• 3/21/2017 11:55:00 AM
• View Count 3325

Campers anxious to reserve spots for the Fourth of July weekend should mark March 31 on their calendars, when reservations for a Friday arrival open.

Five reasons to rent an Iowa State Parks cabin in the off-season

• 3/10/2017 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 23332

Have you ever considered staying in a cabin in Iowa state parks? We offer more than 90 cabins in 19 parks across the state. Here are five reasons why you might want to book now and stay in a cabin before Memorial Day:

Memorial Weekend campsites soon available for reservation

• 2/21/2017 3:11:00 PM
• View Count 7159

The three-month window to reserve a state park campsite for a Friday arrival on Memorial Day weekend opens this Sunday, Feb. 26. More than a few campers will plan their arrival for the weekend before Memorial Day and stay through the holiday, which means their window is open now.

Include Iowa state parks in your vacation plans this year

• 1/31/2017 1:56:00 PM
• View Count 7219

Today is National Plan For Vacation Day and Iowa’s state parks are encouraging all Iowans to include them in their vacation plans.

Take a winter retreat at Lake of Three Fires

• 12/8/2016 4:22:00 PM
• View Count 18281

For a weekend getaway with friends, where nothing will interrupt relaxation or quiet connecting, this southern Iowa park, 25 miles east of Clarinda, is ideal.

Iowa State Parks offer great winter cabin getaways

• 12/7/2016 10:23:00 AM
• View Count 5322

The quiet solitude that makes a perfect winter getaway is waiting for you in beautiful, comfortable year-round cabins at several Iowa state parks. It’s a great time to take advantage of trails for hiking, skiing, snowmobiling and wildlife watching. And many of the parks have great ice fishing lakes.

Make an Iowa State Park cabin your hunting basecamp

• 12/1/2016 2:25:00 PM
• View Count 8609

Hunters, are you looking for a basecamp for your upcoming deer hunt or weekend pheasant hunt?

Meet Wapsipinicon, one of Iowa's most unique state parks

• 11/4/2016 3:31:00 PM
• View Count 49432

Thus endures one of the many stories, myths, legends and even proven historical facts about Horse Thief Cave, a well-known feature of what is now Wapsipinicon State Park, and, though its tale-inspiring caves are definitely a main draw, Wapsipinicon is so much more. 

Looking for a place to host your holiday gathering?

• 10/18/2016 12:27:00 PM
• View Count 3934

Are you responsible for planning your holiday get-together or company party? Need a place to host it? You might want to check out several state park lodges open year-round.

7 must-see waterfalls in Iowa State Parks

• 9/29/2016 3:39:00 PM
• View Count 68398

From nature's splendor to man-made spillways, these water features are definitely wonderful. Below, get the full list of Iowa's waterfalls, how to get to each one, and ideas on other things to do in the area while on your waterfall tour.

State parks peak season winding down

• 9/27/2016 2:23:00 PM
• View Count 4447

Another busy year in Iowa’s state parks will be coming to an end and soon staff will be preparing for the first freezing temperatures of the fall.

Join the Iowa DNR at the 2016 Iowa State Fair

• 8/3/2016 2:00:00 PM
• View Count 8643

A trip to the Iowa State Fair is not complete without a stop at the Iowa DNR building – you’ll want to stop to see the Iowa fish in the historic aquarium, have your questions answered, and take in a presentation in our beautiful courtyard.

It's Not Too Late to Reserve a State Park Cabin

• 6/7/2016 1:59:00 PM
• View Count 4581

Not interested in sleeping in a tent? Don’t have an RV? How about trying an overnight stay in a state park cabin this summer?

Iowa Students Recognized for Iowa State-Fish Drawings

• 5/17/2016 12:22:00 PM
• View Count 4551

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources partnered with the Wildlife Forever® State-Fish Art® Contest to host an Iowa State-Fish Art Contest.

2016 DNR Sale Set for May 21

• 4/12/2016 7:33:00 AM
• View Count 10878

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR will hold the 2016 spring auction on May 21, at Pioneer Livestock Pavilion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, in Des Moines. Doors will open at 6:30 a.m., and the auction will begin at 8 a.m.

Record Number of Participants Coming to State Archery Tournament

• 2/16/2016 8:07:00 AM
• View Count 4651

An estimated 1,300 students from 50 schools across Iowa will be in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on March 4-5, to participate in the 10th Annual Iowa Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament. This is the largest youth archery tournament in Iowa.

Iowa's First Day Hikes a Success

• 1/5/2016 9:28:00 AM
• View Count 5162

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.

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

• 12/29/2015 6:45:00 AM
• View Count 5151

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.

DNR Seeks Public Comment on Reducing Alcohol-Related Incidents at State Park Beaches

• 12/15/2015 10:08:00 AM
• View Count 5180

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking informal public comment on ways to reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents that occur on beaches at state parks and recreation areas.

State Parks Impacted by Recent Unseasonable Rains

• 12/15/2015 7:26:00 AM
• View Count 4676

Visitors planning a trip to the following parks may want to double check conditions as recent unseasonable rains have had some impact.

7 Stunning Iowa State Park Views for Fall

• 10/8/2015 12:00:00 PM
• View Count 28450

While looks aren’t everything, they certainly don’t hurt when you’re talking about parks. If you haven’t seen the views below for yourself, put these state parks on your list of destinations to hit this autumn. Changing leaves make fall one of Iowa’s most picturesque seasons, so take plenty of photos when you stop to admire the view.

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