DNR News Releases

Search for a News Release

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

DNR News Releases

Archive by tag: state parkReturn

Cedar Valley Lakes Trail Reopening Ribbon Cutting Event

• 9/19/2023 1:47:00 PM
• View Count 323

WATERLOO - On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership and the Iowa DNR will host a celebration and ribbon cutting for the newly paved section of the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail from Krieg's Crossing to the George Wyth State Park Lodge

Iowa DNR to host open house on Clear Lake State Park improvement plans

• 9/5/2023 1:11:00 PM
• View Count 1131

CLEAR LAKE -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting an open house to discuss renovation and improvement plans for Clear Lake State Park, at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11, at Clear Lake State Park Lodge. The public is invited to attend.

Iowa DNR to host open house on Gull Point State Park improvement plans

• 8/9/2023 7:33:00 AM
• View Count 2315

Milford -- The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting an open house to discuss renovation and improvement plans for Gull Point State Park, at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 22, at Gull Point State Park Lodge. The public is invited to attend.

Lake Keomah State Park restoration being planned

• 7/25/2023 11:48:00 AM
• View Count 2461

OSKALOOSA – Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other project partners are planning a lake restoration project at Lake Keomah State Park to improve water quality and recreational opportunities.

Pikes Peak State Park campground to open July 27

• 7/25/2023 11:44:00 AM
• View Count 2566

MCGREGOR – The Iowa DNR is re-opening the newly renovated Pikes Peak State Park campground on July 27. Campers will enjoy upgraded camping amenities, along with the ability to make same-day reservations at all campsites.

DNR Creating Plans to Improve Amenities at Gull Point State Park

• 7/21/2023 4:40:00 PM
• View Count 2981

MILFORD -- The Iowa DNR is in the early planning stages of a renovation plan at Gull Point State Park to re-pave park roads, upgrade the campground, install a new flush bathroom and improve accessibility.

Lake Ahquabi State Park campground to open July 20

• 7/18/2023 11:35:00 AM
• View Count 3407

INDIANOLA – The Iowa DNR is re-opening the newly renovated Lake Ahquabi State Park campground on July 20. Campers will enjoy upgraded camping amenities, along with the ability to make same-day reservations at all campsites.

Dry conditions delay campground opening at Pikes Peak State Park

• 6/13/2023 1:13:00 PM
• View Count 2579

MCGREGOR– An excessively dry start to the recreation season is delaying the opening of the newly renovated campground at Pikes Peak State Park.

Drought conditions continue to impact water levels at Blue Lake in Lewis and Clark State Park

• 6/6/2023 2:19:00 PM
• View Count 2278

ONAWA – Blue Lake, located within Lewis and Clark State Park, continues to experience abnormally low water levels that may impact recreation opportunities. Launching boats is not recommended with the current low water levels.

Heavy rains delay opening at Lake Ahquabi State Park

• 6/6/2023 2:17:00 PM
• View Count 2328

INDIANOLA – Heavy rains last week caused washouts and erosion at Lake Ahquabi State Park, delaying reopening of the park until mid-July.

Join us this weekend! Kick off summer in Iowa State Parks, June 9-11

• 6/6/2023 2:11:00 PM
• View Count 1924

DES MOINES ⎯ Several state parks and forests will be hosting family-friendly programming and activities as part of Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) new Summer Kick-Off event, June 9-11.

Discover Hidden Gems with the 2023 State Park Passport

• 5/30/2023 11:45:00 AM
• View Count 6842

The Iowa State Park Passport is back in 2023 and better than ever.

Visitors expected to fill parks over Memorial Day weekend

• 5/16/2023 1:42:00 PM
• View Count 1846

Iowa state parks and forests are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the outdoor summer recreation season.

Kick off summer in Iowa State Parks, June 9-11

• 5/9/2023 2:02:00 PM
• View Count 1814

DES MOINES ⎯ Several state parks and forests will be hosting family-friendly programming and activities as part of Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) new Summer Kick-Off event, June 9-11.

Renovations at Geode State Park to close beach area in 2023

• 4/4/2023 11:52:00 AM
• View Count 3141

GEODE, Iowa – The beach and surrounding facilities at Geode State Park will be closed for the 2023 recreational season beginning in late April due to a major road and parking lot construction project.

Celebrate the Civilian Conservation Corps’ 90th Anniversary at these parks

• 3/30/2023 2:45:00 PM
• View Count 3197

From atop an observation tower to an overlook by a lake and even the steps beneath your feet, the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps touched many significant structures in Iowa’s State Parks. Celebrate the CCC’s 90th anniversary, March 31, by visiting these stand-out examples of CCC projects in Iowa.

Volunteer Clean-up event planned for Red Haw State Park on March 12

• 3/7/2023 12:18:00 PM
• View Count 1541

CHARITON – Red Haw State Park is hosting a volunteer clean-up event on March 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the Stone Shelter at the south end of the park.

As one-year anniversary of tornado approaches, cleanup continues at Red Haw State Park

• 2/28/2023 1:29:00 PM
• View Count 2864

CHARITON, Iowa -- Nearly one year ago, an EF 3 tornado cut an 11-mile swath of destruction through Lucas County causing extensive damage to Red Haw State Park, and claimed one life.

5 more of Iowa's best winter hikes

• 1/23/2023 1:05:00 PM
• View Count 11197

We couldn’t stop at just six awesome winter hikes - here are five more Iowa State Parks that offer awesome winter experiences from hikes and beyond.

6 of Iowa's best winter hikes

• 1/19/2023 11:45:00 AM
• View Count 14579

As cozy as it is sitting inside and watching the snow fall, getting outdoors can be even more fun. Here are a few Iowa state parks that make bundling up worth it for the memories made. 

Summer seasonal positions open in state parks, forests and preserves

• 12/27/2022 1:02:00 PM
• View Count 8605

The DNR Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau has openings for recreational aides and seasonal patrol officers for the summer 2023 season across the state park system.

It’s almost New Years! Join the First Day Hike Challenge at Iowa state parks

• 12/27/2022 12:51:00 PM
• View Count 9005

DES MOINES – It’s almost time to start 2023 the right way – in an Iowa state park! Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge through the digital State Park Passport. You can also join one of several guided hikes with park or forest staff across the state.

Join the 2023 First Day Hike Challenge!

• 12/21/2022 2:16:00 PM
• View Count 9270

What are your plans for New Year's 2023? Iowa state parks and forests invite you to join the First Day Hike Challenge.

DNR to host virtual public meeting regarding timber sale

• 11/22/2022 11:38:00 AM
• View Count 4886

The Iowa DNR will host a virtual public meeting on Dec. 8, 2022 at 6 p.m. regarding a salvage timber sale in Walnut Woods State Park, West Des Moines. The trees in the salvage area need to be removed for construction of the Athene Bridge, which will provide bike and walking trail access across the Raccoon River by connecting Walnut Woods State Park and West Des Moines’ Raccoon River Park. Bridge construction is slated to begin in spring or summer of 2023.

State park campgrounds getting ready for winter

• 10/25/2022 11:46:00 AM
• View Count 2812

Another busy camping year in Iowa state parks is coming to an end and staff are winterizing their facilities, including shutting off water in the campgrounds and closing shower houses.

The Walter House

• 10/25/2022 11:35:00 AM
• View Count 2519

Quasqueton-native Lowell and Agnes Walter wanted to build a house for their retirement overlooking the Wapsipinicon River, near his hometown. The Des Moines couple owned Iowa Road Building Company in Des Moines and a farm management business in Buchanan County that amassed around 5,000 acres.

Lend a hand in a state park at Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24

• 9/13/2022 12:20:00 PM
• View Count 2893

Iowans are invited to lend a hand at the Department of Natural Resources’ sixth annual Statewide Volunteer Day on Sept. 24. Several parks across the state will be hosting volunteer events to help spruce up trails, buildings and other park amenities.

Maquoketa Caves State Park to reopen Thursday

• 7/27/2022 2:41:00 PM
• View Count 3542

MAQUOKETA, IA -- Maquoketa Caves State Park will reopen for day use at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 28. The campground will remain closed until further notice. All campers with reservations through Sunday, July 31 have been notified and refunded.

DNR Director issues statement about incident at Maquoketa Caves State Park

• 7/22/2022 3:27:00 PM
• View Count 4621

DES MOINES -- Statement from Kayla Lyon, Iowa DNR Director:

It’s Back: Sign Up for 2022 Iowa State Park Passport

• 7/5/2022 1:43:00 PM
• View Count 5158

The Iowa DNR is bringing back the Iowa State Park Passport in 2022 with new prizes and opportunities to enjoy state parks.

Lake Manawa State Park opens new campground

• 6/28/2022 3:18:00 PM
• View Count 4064

COUNCIL BLUFFS – The new campground at Lake Manawa State Park has opened.

Fourth of July weekend looking good for state park visitors

• 6/28/2022 3:15:00 PM
• View Count 3204

Iowa State Parks are gearing up for the Fourth of July weekend as thousands of campers, cabin renters, picnickers and outdoor enthusiasts get ready to enjoy the long weekend.

Paddle Iowa Waters. Catch Fish. Win Prizes.

• 5/24/2022 3:30:00 PM
• View Count 1977

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is excited to launch a new digital passport modeled after the successful State Park Passport created in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of Iowa State Parks.

Visitors expected to fill state parks over Memorial Day weekend

• 5/24/2022 3:23:00 PM
• View Count 1103

Iowa state parks and forests are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the outdoor summer recreation season.  

Red Haw State Park partially opens after tornado damage

• 5/17/2022 3:28:00 PM
• View Count 1108

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 2148

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 1669

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 1102

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 901

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 1233

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 5071

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 1888

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 1361

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 2596

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 1155

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.

Page 1 of 6 FirstPrevious [1]2345 NextLast