DNR encourages safety for those planning to enjoy Iowa’s natural resources this holiday weekend 5/21/2020 11:02:00 AM View Count 4220 DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Memorial Day holiday weekend is fast approaching and is expected to be a busy one, despite Covid-19.
Modern restrooms, cabins will open Memorial Day weekend in Iowa state parks 5/20/2020 11:47:00 AM View Count 14788 DES MOINES, IA -- Iowa state parks will open modern restrooms, shower buildings and cabins starting Friday, May 22 in time for Memorial Day weekend. This means campgrounds will be open for all campers, including RVs, pop-ups and tent camping. Youth group campsites will remain closed.
Boil Advisory in place for far southwest Polk County 5/4/2020 4:05:00 PM View Count 2027 WEST DES MOINES—The Southwest Polk Water Service has issued a boil advisory for an area near Walnut Woods State Park in southwest Polk County after a power loss caused a drop in water pressure Saturday night.
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 16989 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.
Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park to remain closed through at least April 30 4/14/2020 2:16:00 PM View Count 2711 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.
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.
Iowa state parks reduce some amenities as part of COVID-19 response 3/28/2020 1:42:00 PM View Count 10315 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.
DNR to close Olofson, Banner shooting ranges 3/18/2020 2:45:00 PM View Count 2519 Des Moines, Iowa - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has closed the Olofson shooting range, near Big Creek State Park, and the Banner shooting range at Summerset State Park, through March 31.
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.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa Feb. 15 2/9/2020 2:05:00 PM View Count 2318 West Des Moines, Iowa - The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, on Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Walnut Woods State Park, in West Des Moines.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa 1/2/2020 6:58:00 AM View Count 4486 West Des Moines, Iowa - The public is invited to a Trumpeter Swan Soiree, celebrating North America’s largest waterfowl species, on Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Walnut Woods State Park, in West Des Moines.
DNR conservation officer assists with ice rescue 12/30/2019 9:24:00 AM View Count 4040 WARREN COUNTY, Iowa – On December 27, around 3:15pm, Warren County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call came of two people that had gone through the ice at Summerset State Park and were yelling for help.
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 View Count 2301 LINN COUNTY -- DNR staff discovered the Palisades Kepler State Park lodge was vandalized sometime in the overnight hours of Sunday, December 23, 2019.
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 2770 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.
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 5051 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.
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.
Ramsey Subaru donates bike racks to five Iowa state parks 10/22/2019 3:54:00 PM View Count 1826 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 2869 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.
DNR investigating fish kill in Backbone State Park trout streams 9/30/2019 11:48:00 AM View Count 2311 DUNDEE – DNR staff investigated a fish kill in Backbone State Park Sept. 28 after trout anglers reported seeing dead fish in Richmond Springs and Fenchel Creek.
Governor Reynolds, Iowa DNR commemorates Volunteer Day 9/27/2019 4:12:00 PM View Count 3242 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.
Nonresident annual permit for Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks available online September 18 9/17/2019 1:34:00 PM View Count 2248 Nonresidents now have another option to purchase the annual vehicle permit for Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks.
DNR removes no-wake speed restriction at Blue Lake 9/10/2019 2:27:00 PM View Count 2440 MONONA COUNTY, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has lifted the no-wake speed restriction, which equates to roughly 5 mph, for boating on Blue Lake at Lewis and Clark State Park.
Red Haw State Park to Host Dedication Ceremony for Donation of New ADA-Accessible Dock 9/10/2019 2:26:00 PM View Count 2202 CHARITON, Iowa – Red Haw State Park will host a dedication ceremony Friday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. for a new ADA-accessible dock donated by the Clarence Ormond Landrum Trust.
Save the date: statewide Volunteer Day is Sept. 28 9/3/2019 12:16:00 PM View Count 2143 Iowa state parks have set Saturday, Sept. 28 as annual Volunteer Day, when Iowans are invited to lend a hand at more than 40 parks hosting clean-up events.
Non-resident user fee pilot project underway at Lake Manawa, Waubonsie state parks 8/27/2019 11:53:00 AM View Count 2545 Council Bluffs, Iowa - With Labor Day Weekend just a few days away, nonresidents visiting Lake Manawa State Park or Waubonsie State Park are reminded of a new nonresident vehicle fee requirement that began on Aug. 15.
Iowa DNR investigating ginseng case at Geode State Park 8/20/2019 12:24:00 PM View Count 2638 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating two individuals from Illinois as part of a ginseng case that began on August 11 at Geode State Park.
Iowa DNR to host open house about Springbrook State Park 8/13/2019 4:11:00 PM View Count 1697 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau is hosting an open house to collect comments on future planning and improvements at Springbrook State Park.
Nonresident user fees at Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks to go live next week 8/7/2019 11:27:00 AM View Count 5093 A new, nonresident user fee will take effect August 15 at Lake Manawa and Waubonsie state parks.
Southwest Iowa hidden treasure boasts nature 7/10/2019 11:26:00 AM View Count 3845 Hamburg, Iowa –Eli Slusher Wildlife Area, south of Waubonsie State Park in Fremont County, offers a wild and rugged get-away-from-it-all kind of experience.
Celebrate Fourth of July weekend at Iowa State Parks 6/27/2019 8:58:00 AM View Count 4990 Plenty of exciting activities are happening at state parks over Fourth of July weekend. Check out the list below to find a holiday activity near you and make your camping reservation today!
Heavy rains, flooding causing park closures across Iowa 5/26/2019 6:15:00 PM View Count 3511 DES MOINES, Iowa – Rising river levels caused by heavy rainfall lately is forcing some state parks to be closed this Memorial Day weekend.
5 hidden surprises at Stone State Park 5/23/2019 11:45:00 AM View Count 9075 Nestled in the northern portion of Iowa’s Loess Hills overlooking the South Dakota and Iowa border, Stone State Park is rich in local history, diverse plant life and rugged terrain.
Iowa state parks Camping Kickoff is this weekend 4/30/2019 11:42:00 AM View Count 2197 Iowa state parks invite campers to visit this weekend and help celebrate Camping Kick-Off, May 3 – 5.
Ramsey Subaru donating $1,000 to Ledges State Park at April 24 ceremony 4/23/2019 3:16:00 PM View Count 2754 Madrid, Iowa – Ledges State Park is receiving a $1,000 donation from Ramsey Subaru, of Urbandale, that will be presented during a ceremony on Wed., April 24 at 11 a.m.
Geode State Park restoration project starts next phase 4/23/2019 3:10:00 PM View Count 2581 Danville, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will start another phase of work at Geode State Park to improve water quality at Lake Geode and enhance accessibility and recreational opportunities in the park.
Iowa Launches ‘20 Artists, 20 Parks’ to Commemorate State Park Centennial 4/19/2019 1:26:00 PM View Count 12478 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 4/16/2019 2:52:00 PM View Count 2840 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.
Flooding causing closures at state parks 3/14/2019 2:34:00 PM View Count 4786 The current flooding impacting parts of Iowa is also causing some closures at state parks and recreational areas throughout the state.