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

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

  • 3/28/2020 1:42:00 PM
  • View Count 10605
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.
Caves closed seasonally for bat hibernation at Maquoketa Caves State Park

Caves closed seasonally for bat hibernation at Maquoketa Caves State Park

  • 3/24/2020 12:05:00 PM
  • View Count 5330
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

A message about Iowa State Parks' response to COVID-19

  • 3/18/2020 3:25:00 PM
  • View Count 15255
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

DNR to close Olofson, Banner shooting ranges

  • 3/18/2020 2:45:00 PM
  • View Count 2673
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.
INHF to host State Park Centennial volunteer events at 3 state parks

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

  • 3/3/2020 12:07:00 PM
  • View Count 2516
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.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa Feb. 15

Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa Feb. 15

  • 2/9/2020 2:05:00 PM
  • View Count 2496
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.
Record-breaking attendance at First Day Hikes in Iowa state parks

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

  • 1/3/2020 4:39:00 PM
  • View Count 3128
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.
Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa

Trumpeter swan soiree returns to central Iowa

  • 1/2/2020 6:58:00 AM
  • View Count 4689
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

DNR conservation officer assists with ice rescue

  • 12/30/2019 9:24:00 AM
  • View Count 4244
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

DNR to host public meeting on timber harvest at McIntosh Woods

  • 12/26/2019 10:23:00 AM
  • View Count 2332
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.
Lodge at Palisades Kepler State Park vandalized

Lodge at Palisades Kepler State Park vandalized

  • 12/26/2019 10:15:00 AM
  • View Count 2510
LINN COUNTY -- DNR staff discovered the Palisades Kepler State Park lodge was vandalized sometime in the overnight hours of Sunday, December 23, 2019.
Ramsey Subaru donates bike racks to five Iowa state parks

Ramsey Subaru donates bike racks to five Iowa state parks

  • 10/22/2019 3:54:00 PM
  • View Count 2024
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.
Governor Reynolds, Iowa DNR commemorates Volunteer Day

Governor Reynolds, Iowa DNR commemorates Volunteer Day

  • 9/27/2019 4:12:00 PM
  • View Count 3619
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.
Iowa DNR, Imagine Iowa Great Lakes launch seawall repair project

Iowa DNR, Imagine Iowa Great Lakes launch seawall repair project

  • 9/24/2019 12:55:00 PM
  • View Count 2956
Okoboji, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Imagine Iowa Great Lakes began work this week to repair the seawall at Arnolds Park. The project will stabilize the foundation of the sidewalk and ultimately serve as a platform for the beautification work led by Imagine Iowa Great Lakes.
DNR removes no-wake speed restriction at Blue Lake

DNR removes no-wake speed restriction at Blue Lake

  • 9/10/2019 2:27:00 PM
  • View Count 2754
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.
Central Park Lake celebration to highlight lake restoration project

Central Park Lake celebration to highlight lake restoration project

  • 9/3/2019 12:24:00 PM
  • View Count 2345
CENTER JUNCTION, Iowa – A celebration of the lake restoration efforts at Central Park in Jones County will be held Sept. 5th, from 5-7:30 pm at the beach at Central Park Lake, located at 12515 Central Park Road, in Center Junction.
Southwest Iowa hidden treasure boasts nature

Southwest Iowa hidden treasure boasts nature

  • 7/10/2019 11:26:00 AM
  • View Count 4203
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.
Water level to drop at West Lake Park ahead of restoration

Water level to drop at West Lake Park ahead of restoration

  • 7/10/2019 11:22:00 AM
  • View Count 3377
DAVENPORT – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will start lowering the water level at Lake of the Hills, Railroad Lake, Lambach Lake and Bluegrass Lake at West Lake Park on July 15 as part of a lake restoration project to improve water quality and recreational opportunities.
Celebrate Fourth of July weekend at Iowa State Parks

Celebrate Fourth of July weekend at Iowa State Parks

  • 6/27/2019 8:58:00 AM
  • View Count 5454
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!
5 hidden surprises at Stone State Park

5 hidden surprises at Stone State Park

  • 5/23/2019 11:45:00 AM
  • View Count 10222
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.
Geode State Park restoration project starts next phase

Geode State Park restoration project starts next phase

  • 4/23/2019 3:10:00 PM
  • View Count 2772
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

Iowa Launches ‘20 Artists, 20 Parks’ to Commemorate State Park Centennial

  • 4/19/2019 1:26:00 PM
  • View Count 13383
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

Get ready for camping kickoff weekend, May 3-5

  • 4/16/2019 2:52:00 PM
  • View Count 3113
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.
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