DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

Press/Media inquiries: PIO@dnr.iowa.gov

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: State ParkReturn

Red Haw State Park partially opens after tornado damage

• 5/17/2022 3:28:00 PM
• View Count 1352

CHARITON – Red Haw State Park will open to visitors starting May 20 after a March tornado caused extensive damage to the park. The campground and surrounding trails, which are the most heavily damaged areas, remain closed.

Renovations at Pikes Peak State Park to begin April 2022

• 4/6/2022 7:13:00 AM
• View Count 2633

McGregor, Iowa - Pikes Peak State Park will undergo a major overhaul to improve the campground and main parking lot later this month.

Public Meeting to discuss Blue Lake (Lewis and Clark State Park) dredging and restoration efforts

• 3/29/2022 1:55:00 PM
• View Count 2025

ONAWA – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting at 6 p.m., March 31, at the Lewis and Clark State Park’s Visitors Center to discuss ongoing lake restoration efforts at the park, including a hydraulic dredging project slated for the 2022 open water season.

Volunteers needed March 27 to cleanup Red Haw State Park

• 3/17/2022 3:10:00 PM
• View Count 1466

CHARITON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is holding a volunteer cleanup day at Red Haw State Park on March 27, from 1-4 p.m., to remove downed branches and small debris from the picnic and beach areas, the dam and east trail deposited in the park by the tornado that moved through Lucas County on March 5. 

Red Haw State Park remains closed due to tornado damage

• 3/15/2022 2:30:00 PM
• View Count 1365

CHARITON – Red Haw State Park remains closed to visitors following the March 5 tornado through the park. The campground, which is the most heavily damaged area of the park, is anticipated to be closed until Labor Day.

Walnut Woods State Park to offer online reservations for all campsites

• 3/15/2022 2:24:00 PM
• View Count 1612

WEST DES MOINES –Walnut Woods State Park will become Iowa’s second state park to make all of its campsites available for reservation through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) online reservation system, on April 1.

7 hidden surprises at Wildcat Den State Park

• 10/13/2021 10:43:00 AM
• View Count 6284

Packed with historical, geological and natural wonders, Wildcat Den State Park near Muscatine has surprises around every bend. Here are the can’t-miss features and some finds you may not know about from park staff.

Iowa DNR releases name of falling victim fatality at Bellevue State Park

• 9/20/2021 1:27:00 PM
• View Count 2158

BELLEVUE, Iowa - Authorities have identified 36-year-old Iris Merfeld, of Zwingle, as the woman involved in the fatal fall at Bellevue State Park this weekend.

Iowa DNR investigating fatal incident at Bellevue State Park

• 9/19/2021 10:11:00 AM
• View Count 1669

BELLEVUE, Iowa - At 4:21 a.m. on Sept. 18, local authorities were notified about an individual who had fallen from a bluff at Bellevue State Park located in Bellevue.

Save the Date: Statewide Volunteer Day is Sept. 25

• 9/14/2021 2:54:00 PM
• View Count 2944

Iowa state parks and forests have set Saturday, Sept. 25 as annual Volunteer Day, when Iowans are invited to lend a hand at nearly 20 parks and forests hosting events.

DNR monitoring insecticide release, cleanup after plane crash

• 7/15/2021 10:20:00 AM
• View Count 1404

CARROLL - Prior to an emergency landing yesterday, a crop duster released several gallons of insecticide near a private residence southwest of Swan Lake State Park.

New state park trail app available

• 7/13/2021 1:27:00 PM
• View Count 2361

The Iowa DNR has developed an online mapping application to help visitors navigate trails in state parks.

2021 Iowa State Park Passport Offers Open Road, Endless Adventures

• 5/27/2021 9:25:00 AM
• View Count 5383

Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Tourism Office and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources today announced updates to the popular Iowa State Park Passport to give consumers a fun and engaging way to track their visits to state parks. The launch follows 2020’s successful centennial anniversary, with nearly 30,000 check-ins at parks across the state.

Lake Macbride State Park to host meeting recapping the derecho salvage timber sale

• 5/18/2021 1:54:00 PM
• View Count 2253

SOLON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a virtual public meeting on May 26, at 7 p.m., to discuss the sale of 58 hardwood logs salvaged from trees at Lake Macbride State Park damaged from the August 2020 derecho.

Pine Lake State Park opens renovated campground this week

• 5/4/2021 2:36:00 PM
• View Count 3547

ELDORA, Iowa – The campground at Pine Lake State Park is open and ready for campers after a nine-month improvement project to update facilities.

Palisades-Kepler State Park to open April 23

• 4/21/2021 1:09:00 PM
• View Count 5741

MOUNT VERNON – Palisades-Kepler State Park, in Linn County, is set to open its gates on April 23, after several months of work to remove damaged trees, downed limbs and clearing other debris caused by last August’s Derecho storm.

Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park open April 15: Tips to plan your visit

• 4/6/2021 12:36:00 PM
• View Count 6222

Visitors to Maquoketa Caves State Park can fully explore the park’s caves starting April 15, 2021 after being closed for more than a year due to COVID and winter bat hibernation. Located in eastern Iowa’s Jackson County, Maquoketa Caves State Park is one of Iowa’s most popular outdoor destinations, with the largest cave system in the state, gorgeous scenery and unique geological formations drawing thousands of visitors each year.

Juvenile pulled from Lake Darling after kayak takes on water

• 3/23/2021 1:26:00 PM
• View Count 3980

A 17-year-old from Marion was pulled from Lake Darling Friday afternoon after the kayak he was paddling sank from a crack in its hull.

Derecho damaged trees focus of proposed salvage timber sale at Walnut Woods State Park

• 2/10/2021 6:47:00 AM
• View Count 2330

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a virtual public meeting to outline a proposed salvage timber sale in Walnut Woods State Park on Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. The salvage timber sale involves trees damaged from the derecho winds in August 2020. Derecho winds damaged multiple trees within the park, which now pose a risk to park users. Each tree was evaluated according to the Iowa DNR tree risk assessment procedure.

Campground hosts needed for upcoming recreation season

• 1/26/2021 12:07:00 PM
• View Count 6211

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.

Ledges State Park annual meeting held virtually on Jan. 14

• 1/12/2021 12:56:00 PM
• View Count 1539

Ledges State Park will host its annual meeting virtually at 6:30 p.m., on Jan. 14.

Iowa DNR plants more than 100,000 trees on public lands in 2020

• 12/29/2020 11:39:00 AM
• View Count 2546

The Iowa DNR reached a milestone goal to plant at least 100,000 trees on state-managed lands in 2020. The tree plantings commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Association of State Foresters, as well as the 100th anniversary of Iowa state parks.

It's almost New Year's! Join the First Day Hike Challenge

• 12/29/2020 11:37:00 AM
• View Count 3038

It’s time to start 2021 the right way – in an Iowa state park! Join the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19.

State Park Passport recognized by America’s State Parks national organization

• 12/22/2020 1:32:00 PM
• View Count 1976

RALEIGH, N.C. – The National Association of State Park’s Directors (NASPD) has recognized the Iowa State Park Passport for extraordinary achievement among people, projects and programs in managing state park systems.

Join the First Day Hike Challenge in Iowa State Parks

• 12/17/2020 1:45:00 PM
• View Count 4544

DES MOINES – The Iowa DNR and Travel Iowa invite Iowans to participate in the 2021 First Day Hike Challenge to ring in the New Year through the digital State Park Passport. The challenge takes the place of traditional guided hikes due to COVID-19.

Newly launched State Park Passport wraps up successful year

• 12/1/2020 12:09:00 PM
• View Count 3275

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Tourism Office are wrapping up a successful introduction of the new State Park Passport by announcing grand prize winners to the 2020 promotion.

6 ways to safely "Take It Outside" this holiday season

• 11/24/2020 3:00:00 PM
• View Count 4167

With the holiday season starting, the Iowa DNR is encouraging families to find safe ways to spend time outdoors this winter. Please be sure to keep your group small, social distance, and wear a mask when visiting places where social distancing is not possible.

DNR to hold virtual public meeting for timber sale at Wapsipinicon State Park

• 10/20/2020 1:04:00 PM
• View Count 1834

ANAMOSA, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a virtual public meeting on Thursday, October 22 at 10:00am to discuss a timber sale at Wapsipinicon State Park.

Public Meeting scheduled for timber sale at Lake Wapello State Park

• 10/13/2020 12:49:00 PM
• View Count 1875

DRAKESVILLE, Iowa -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a public meeting on October 28, 2020 at 5:00pm at the Lake Wapello State Park Lodge, next to the beach area.  

Some facilities at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area reopen following derecho

• 9/24/2020 9:05:00 AM
• View Count 1747

LINN COUNTY, Iowa -- Campgrounds, cabins and shelters are now open at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area following the derecho in early August. The trails and the beach remain closed as well as the lodge as DNR staff continue to work diligently to clean up damage left behind by August’s derecho.

Lake Manawa State Park to Host Groundbreaking Ceremony on Sept. 24

• 9/22/2020 2:07:00 PM
• View Count 2302

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and local community groups will host a groundbreaking ceremony for a new campground at Lake Manawa State Park at 1 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2020.  

Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 26 continues 100th anniversary celebration for Iowa State Parks

• 9/15/2020 3:03:00 PM
• View Count 4713

In celebration of the Iowa state park centennial in 2020, Iowans are invited to lend a hand at several volunteer events on Saturday, Sept. 26. More than 30 parks across Iowa are hosting events.

Attention Photographers: Showcase your pictures and Iowa state parks in national contest

• 9/15/2020 1:33:00 PM
• View Count 3836

DES MOINES -- If you enjoy photographing Iowa state parks, the Iowa DNR invites you to enter your photos in the America’s State Parks 2020 Photo Contest, hosted by the National Association of State Park Directors. Photos will feature state parks from Iowa and other states, and could be included in calendars and other publications. 

Busy Labor Day weekend expected on Iowa waters and at state parks

• 9/2/2020 12:37:00 PM
• View Count 3983

DES MOINES, Iowa – The unofficial end to summer this weekend is expected to draw thousands of Iowans out to their state parks and waterways.

DNR state parks making progress with derecho damage

• 9/1/2020 1:20:00 PM
• View Count 4492

Three weeks after a devastating derecho tore through a large portion of Iowa, and left major damage to residential neighborhoods, farms and cities, state parks across Iowa continue their clean-up efforts.

Four state parks remain closed through August following derecho

• 8/21/2020 1:28:00 PM
• View Count 3354

DES MOINES, Iowa – Four state parks will remain closed until at least August 31, 2020 following the derecho that left major storm damage across much of the state on August 10.

Best Iowa State Parks for hiking, adventuring and more

• 8/20/2020 3:59:00 PM
• View Count 12024

Are you looking for fun ways to spend time active outdoors? Here are some of our top picks for things to do in Iowa's state parks:

State Parks continue to assess damage, some closed indefinitely following Monday’s storm

• 8/13/2020 5:19:00 PM
• View Count 8337

The derecho that hit a large portion of Iowa on Monday, August 10 left several state parks with significant damage forcing some closures due to unsafe conditions.

Backbone State Park celebrates 100 years with dedication ceremony, sign unveiling

• 7/28/2020 12:29:00 PM
• View Count 2771

DUNDEE, IA – With the 100th anniversary of Iowa state parks in full swing, Backbone State Park celebrated its centennial with a re-dedication ceremony on Friday, July 24. Local community members joined Governor Kim Reynolds, DNR Director Kayla Lyon and park staff for the ceremony, which took place in front of the park’s newly renovated Beach Lodge. 

DNR, IDPH and Polk County Health partner to share tips for safe Fourth of July holiday weekend

• 7/1/2020 12:26:00 PM
• View Count 3977

DES MOINES, Iowa – As the Fourth of July holiday weekend quickly approaches the forecast predicts very warm weather which will draw thousands of people to state parks, beaches, lakes and rivers. The DNR along with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Polk County Health Department are partnering to share some safety tips to help keep you safe this holiday weekend.

Are you loving Iowa state parks? 6 ways to show you care when you visit

• 6/30/2020 2:17:00 PM
• View Count 6247

This summer, Iowans are flocking to state parks in record numbers and enjoying their outdoor amenities and natural spaces. With extra visitors, state parks need more help to stay beautiful, ensure people are safe, and take care of natural resources. Here’s 6 easy ways you can help care for Iowa state parks when you visit:

Road construction project to begin at Big Creek State Park

• 6/16/2020 1:45:00 PM
• View Count 2432

A new road construction project at Big Creek State Park will begin this week, according to DNR park staff.

Take a walk in Iowa State Parks: 20 Walks in 2020

• 6/2/2020 11:46:00 AM
• View Count 7356

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Iowa state parks, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources DNR partnered with three organizations, the Iowa Walking Club, the Nebraska Wander Freunde Trailblazers, and Iowa Parklands, to create 5k and 10k walking routes in 20 Iowa state parks.

Iowa State Parks open more facilities across the state

• 6/2/2020 11:43:00 AM
• View Count 4554

DES MOINES, IA – This week, more facilities are open in Iowa state parks according to the Governor’s proclamation.

DNR investigating death at Palisades-Kepler State Park

• 5/24/2020 12:34:00 PM
• View Count 2954

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - On Friday, May 22, around 3:45pm, the DNR was notified of a person who had fallen on a trail at Palisades-Kepler State Park and had lacerations to his head.

Page 2 of 6 FirstPrevious 1[2]345 NextLast