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DNR News Releases

Archive by category: Parks and Rec Areas, CampingReturn

Get Ready for “Camp-In Kickoff,” May 1-3

• 4/28/2020 3:23:00 PM
• View Count 5649

DES MOINES ⎯ Iowa state parks invite you to celebrate Camp-In Kickoff by enjoying the outdoors your way this weekend.

Iowa state parks extend closures into May

• 4/24/2020 3:26:00 PM
• View Count 16991

The DNR is extending closures of campgrounds and other park facilities through May 14, 2020 to help protect the health of visitors and staff during the COVID-19 health emergency. State parks and forests remain open for day-use opportunities, but visitors are reminded to strictly abide the social distancing rules and not gather in groups.

DNR Conservation Officer recognized as Officer of the Year for NWTF Iowa Chapter

• 4/14/2020 2:24:00 PM
• View Count 3215

State Conservation Officer Tyson Brown, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources serving Marshall and Grundy counties, was named the Officer of the Year by the Iowa chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park to remain closed through at least April 30

• 4/14/2020 2:16:00 PM
• View Count 2712

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. 

Geode State Park restoration project timeline extended

• 4/14/2020 2:14:00 PM
• View Count 3002

Danville, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) extended the timeline to complete in-lake restoration work at Geode State Park due to poor working conditions throughout the winter. Current restoration activities will improve water quality at Lake Geode and enhance accessibility and recreational opportunities in the park.

New changes for Iowa state parks due to COVID-19; campgrounds close

• 4/7/2020 2:05:00 PM
• View Count 18428

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.

Governor Reynolds orders campgrounds, cabins, yurts and playgrounds close temporarily

• 4/6/2020 12:23:00 PM
• View Count 10267

DES MOINES, Iowa - In a proactive effort to prevent further spread of Covid-19, this morning Governor Reynolds signed a proclamation closing all public campgrounds, cabins and yurts temporarily, as well as all outdoor playgrounds through April 30. 

Natural Resource Commission to meet via teleconference on April 9

• 4/3/2020 1:53:00 PM
• View Count 1960

Des Moines, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold its monthly meeting via teleconference at 8:30 a.m., on April 9.

Iowa state parks reduce some amenities as part of COVID-19 response

• 3/28/2020 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 10317

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 9417

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 4515

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 14937

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. 

Trout Run Trail closed for tree clearing project to prepare for a bank stabilization and fish habitat project

• 3/17/2020 1:08:00 PM
• View Count 2276

DECORAH, Iowa - The popular Trout Run Trail will be closed from the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery to Trout Run Park, March 24 through Friday, March 26, as well as March 30th & 31st. The trail section with the Bald Eagle nest is not included in the tree clearing project.

May 1-3 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop now accepting registrations

• 3/17/2020 12:18:00 PM
• View Count 1826

Registration is open for spring Becoming and Outdoors Woman workshop, May 1-3, originating from Wesley Woods Camp & Retreat Center, south of Indianola.

Proposed deer, turkey and furbearer seasons added to Natural Resource Commission March 17 teleconference

• 3/16/2020 9:58:00 AM
• View Count 2503

Des Moines, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has added notice of intended action on spring and fall turkey hunting seasons, resident deer hunting and furbearer seasons to its March 17 teleconference.

Iowa DNR to conduct prescribed fires on state managed areas

• 3/12/2020 8:41:00 AM
• View Count 2016

SUMNER, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be conducting prescribed burns this spring on wildlife management areas managed by the Iowa DNR’s Cedar-Wapsi Wildlife Unit in Floyd, Chickasaw, Butler, Bremer and Buchanan counties.

Natural Resource Commission meeting moved to March 17, held via teleconference

• 3/11/2020 11:36:00 AM
• View Count 2061

Des Moines, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has rescheduled its monthly meeting to 8:30 a.m., on March 17, and will meet via teleconference originating from the fourth-floor west conference room, in the Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.

Natural Resource Commission to meet March 12 in Des Moines

• 3/9/2020 8:19:00 AM
• View Count 2189

Des Moines, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 9:30 a.m., March 12, in the fourth-floor conference room, in the Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.

INHF to host State Park Centennial volunteer events at 3 state parks

• 3/3/2020 12:07:00 PM
• View Count 2314

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.

Wild Game and Wine at Summerset Winery

• 2/18/2020 11:36:00 AM
• View Count 2391

A handful of tickets remain for the upcoming Wild Game and Wine event at Summerset Winery. Local wines will be paired with a wild game charcuterie board made up of locally sourced Iowa meats, cheeses, breads and other delicious foods.

Iowa artists help celebrate state parks centennial

• 2/11/2020 1:54:00 PM
• View Count 4448

DES MOINES – Iowa’s state parks have inspired visitors ever since the first site, Backbone State Park, opened in Delaware County in 1920.

Campground hosts needed for upcoming recreation season

• 2/4/2020 12:38:00 PM
• View Count 11901

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking people who enjoy the outdoors, camping and meeting new people, to consider becoming volunteer campground hosts for the upcoming recreation season.

Chickadee tax check-off donations continues downward trend in 2018

• 1/21/2020 2:07:00 PM
• View Count 3607

Last year, more than 7,200 Iowa taxpayers helped boost wildlife conservation with donations to the Fish and Wildlife Fund on their state tax form, which is roughly 300 fewer donors than in 2017. Donors represent about 0.5 percent of total tax payers in Iowa.

Swan Soiree rescheduled for Feb. 15

• 1/15/2020 3:00:00 PM
• View Count 2892

West Des Moines, Iowa - The Trumpeter Swan Soiree, originally scheduled for Jan. 18, has been rescheduled to Feb. 15 due to anticipated winter weather.

Former resident honors family connections in Fremont County by donating land in the Loess Hills to the Iowa DNR

• 1/7/2020 12:33:00 PM
• View Count 7911

Thurman, Iowa - William and Sara Blackburn, from Long Grove, Ill., donated 151 acres in northwest Fremont County to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that will be used to create the Blackburn Wildlife Management Area and Blackburn Unit of Waubonsie State Park. The donation is valued at more than $515,000.

Record-breaking attendance at First Day Hikes in Iowa state parks

• 1/3/2020 4:39:00 PM
• View Count 2932

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.

DNR to host public meeting on timber harvest at McIntosh Woods

• 12/26/2019 10:23:00 AM
• View Count 2187

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 3302

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
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LINN COUNTY -- DNR staff discovered the Palisades Kepler State Park lodge was vandalized sometime in the overnight hours of Sunday, December 23, 2019.

DNR names new law enforcement chief

• 12/13/2019 8:12:00 AM
• View Count 4887

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is proud to announce Trace Kendig as the new chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Bureau.

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 2773

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.

2020 hunting, fishing licenses on sale Dec. 15

• 12/10/2019 11:59:00 AM
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Iowans can buy 2020 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15.  Licenses purchased for 2019 expire on Jan. 10.

Natural Resource Commission to meet via teleconference on Dec. 12

• 12/6/2019 2:46:00 PM
• View Count 1981

Des Moines, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet via teleconference at 8:30 a.m., Dec. 12, originating from the third-floor conference room, in the Wallace State Office Building, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.

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 5053

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.

Special $10 offer for Iowa Outdoors magazine

• 11/29/2019 2:47:00 PM
• View Count 2757

Do you know someone who loves the outdoors? Give the gift that lasts all year long. Iowa Outdoors is an award-winning magazine filled with beautiful photography, interesting articles and expert tips about hunting, fishing, nature destinations, hiking, camping, outdoor cooking and much more! 

DNR to host open house on future planning at Dolliver Memorial State Park

• 11/13/2019 11:37:00 AM
• View Count 1985

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.

Natural Resource Commission to meet Nov. 14 in Des Moines

• 11/7/2019 3:45:00 PM
• View Count 2335

Des Moines, Iowa – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 9:30 a.m., Nov. 14, in the Wallace State Office Building conference room 2 north, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.

Fort Atkinson State Preserve receives national preservation grant

• 11/5/2019 3:30:00 PM
• View Count 2974

FORT ATKINSON, Iowa – The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded Fort Atkinson State Preserve in Winneshiek County with a $497,500 grant as part of its Save America’s Treasures program. The grant award was announced by the NPS in September.

Ramsey Subaru donates bike racks to five Iowa state parks

• 10/22/2019 3:54:00 PM
• View Count 1827

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 2871

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.

Iowa DNR to host open house about former Camp Tahigwa

• 10/15/2019 11:47:00 AM
• View Count 3697

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 Tahigwa.

Portions of Yellow River State Forest reopen following September flooding

• 10/8/2019 11:45:00 AM
• View Count 2436

HARPERS FERRY, Iowa – Trails and campground areas at Yellow River State Forest begin reopening following flash flooding in early September.

Natural Resource Commission to meet Oct. 10 in Des Moines

• 10/7/2019 10:47:00 AM
• View Count 2339

Des Moines – The Natural Resource Commission (NRC) of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will meet at 9:30 a.m., Oct. 10, in the Wallace State Office Building Conference Room 2 North, 502 East Ninth Street, in Des Moines.

Governor Reynolds, Iowa DNR commemorates Volunteer Day

• 9/27/2019 4:12:00 PM
• View Count 3243

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.

State Parks prep for 100th Anniversary at Sept. 28 Volunteer Day

• 9/24/2019 12:50:00 PM
• View Count 2773

Iowans can lend a hand at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ third annual statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 28.

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