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Iowa Parks
* Anamosa -- Wapsipinicon State Park on County E-34. More than 250 acres south of Anamosa on the Wapsipinicon River, with facilities for picnics and overnight camping. Surrounding facilities include fishing, clubhouse and golf.
* Bellevue -- Bellevue State Park, 510 acres. It has picnic spots, camping facilities and views of the Mississippi River. Also has an unusual one-acre butterfly garden with 37 species of butterflies, each with its own food plot. Some plants are grown to provide nourishment for caterpillars, while others are grown to provide nectar for adult butterflies. Hiking trails in the Nelson Unit lead to conical Indian mounds attributed to the Woodland Culture. Open pavilions provide room for large groups. Fresh drinking water, rest rooms and plenty of parking throughout the park.
* Cole Park, adjacent to municipal pool, has ball diamonds and playground equipment.
* John Henry Weber Park, seven miles northwest of Bellevue on U.S. 52, provides picnic grounds and hiking trails.
* Mill Creek Park, south edge of Bellevue, has a concrete boat ramp and dock in Mississippi River for easy access.
* Spruce Creek County Park, two miles north of Bellevue on U.S. 52, has facilities for picnicking, camping, hiking, trailer dump station, boat harbor with docks for 60 boats, two concrete boat ramps, 80 campsites on Mississippi River.
* Bettendorf -- Splash Landing, 23rd Street and Middle Road, has a new Caribbean theme complete with palm trees. There is a new pool with a zero-depth area and 25 lap lanes. A gondola slide, drop slide and sand area complete the experience. Open daily during summer. For more information, call 563-344-4124.
* Calmar -- Calmar Lions Park has camping facilities, rest rooms and playground equipment.
* Lake Meyer, two miles southwest of Calmar, a 160-acre recreation area with picnic and camping facilities. Lake is stocked annually.
* Cascade -- Cascade American Legion Park has a baseball field, swimming pool and picnic shelters.
* Cascade Community Park, has tables, two shelters, grills, playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball court, volleyball, horseshoe courts, softball field, Frisbee golf course and rest rooms.
* Fillmore Park, on U.S. 151, northeast of Cascade, has camping grounds.
* Riverside Park has tables, shelter, grills and playground equipment.
* Clinton -- Eagle Point Park, 200 acres where you can picnic, hike or cross-country ski. Enclosed pavilion with tables and fireplaces, playgrounds for children and more. 563-243-1260.
* Riverview Park, located along Riverview Drive between Sixth Avenue North and Sixth Avenue South, has a variety of uses. Playgrounds, tennis courts, public swimming pool and baseball stadium, recreation trail and more. 563-243-1260.
* Colesburg -- Twin Bridges Park, on Iowa 3 between Edgewood and Colesburg. 25 acres. Picnicking, camping, hunting and fishing allowed. Facilities include a well, two shelters, fireplaces, toilets, volleyball net and horseshoe court.
* Cresco -- East Park, Sixth Street East, has rest rooms, shelter houses, horseshoe courts, picnic tables, grills, volleyball court, softball field and playground equipment.
* Kendalville Park, seven miles north of Cresco on Iowa 139 (on the Upper Iowa River), is headwater for river canoe trips and has camping area, picnic tables and canoe rental.
* Vernon Springs Park, 2 1/2 miles southwest of Cresco, 37 acres in Howard County, has walking and skiing trails, camping, picnicking and Prairie Springs Recreational Trail System.
* Beadle Park, located on Iowa 9, next to a visitor center. Park offers a statue of Nobel Prize winner Norman Borlaug and is home to the famous Beadle Park train and historic log cabin. Also has playground equipment and rest rooms.
* Kessel Park, north on Elm Street, off Iowa 9 and Iowa 139, has playground facilities, lighted tennis court, swimming pool, shelter house, picnic tables, ball diamond, toilets, fireplaces and Kessel Lodge, which can be rented.
* Evans Park, off Iowa 139 and Iowa 9, south on Elm Street, has tennis court, playground, picnic tables, toilet facilities, fireplaces, shelter house and large ball diamond.
* Davenport -- Scott County Park, entrance located on 270th Street, is the largest in Scott County. The park has 12 picnic areas and shelters with tables, grills and/or fireplaces accessible. It offers two baseball fields, playground equipment, a radio-controlled airplane site, nature trails, an equestrian area and four unique camping areas. Modern rest rooms and showers are available. Camping fees range from $10 to $16 depending on services. An Olympic-size swimming pool located near the Indian Hills Shelter has lifeguards and offers summer swimming lessons.
* Dubuque -- Allison-Henderson Park, located at North Grandview Avenue, offers a hockey rink, playground equipment and a recreation program center.
* Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is in Marshall Park, 3125 W. 32nd St. The arboretum contains ornamental shrubs and trees in landscape displays, as well as native trees and wildflowers along the walking trails. One of the more popular attractions is the park's Japanese Garden. The botanical gardens are collections of annual and perennial cultivated flowers and vegetables. These include hybrid, miniature and old roses; bulbs, prairie grasses, flowers and all-American selections. The educational center contains a library and reading room, interpretive displays, meeting rooms, information, office, greenhouse and rest rooms.
* Eagle Point Park is a scenic blufftop park that provides an excellent view of the river and a corner of the tri-states. The 164-acre park offers unique shelter buildings, sunken gardens, picnic facilities, playgrounds, benches, fireplaces, wading pool, pavilions exposing river and land scenery and lighted tennis courts. Open May-October. To reserve pavilions, call 563-589-4263.
* Flora Krey Wahlert Park, 2565 Green St., offers picnic facilities, pavilions, barbecue grills, tennis courts, horseshoes, softball, volleyball, pool and playground.
* Gerald "Red" McAleece Park and Recreation Complex, on Adm. Sheehy Drive, on Chaplain Schmitt Island, offers three lighted softball diamonds; John Petrakis Field, a lighted regulation baseball field; playground equipment; picnic tables; volleyball courts and two regulation adult soccer fields.
* Heritage Trail, three miles north of Dubuque, off U.S. 52. Twenty-six miles of a once-bustling railroad track have been converted into a recreational trail. Enjoy woodlands, river outlooks, interpretive sites, railroad artifacts and more. For more information, call 563-556-6745.
* Louis Murphy Park, South Grandview Avenue, offers picnic facilities, barbecue grills, tennis, horseshoes and playground.
* Marshall Park/Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 3125 W. 32nd St., offers picnic facilities, barbecue grills and playground.
* Mines of Spain Recreation Area. A 1,387-acre area south of Dubuque includes a variety of landforms, plant species and communities, animals and water types. Highlights include the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center, Horseshoe Bluff Interpretive area, Julien Dubuque Monument, 20 miles of hiking trails, fishing on Catfish Creek, Mississippi River and wetlands and general outdoor activities. Open year-round, 4 a.m.-10:30 p.m. For information, go to www.minesofspain.org.
* Swiss Valley Park, five miles south of Dubuque, off U.S. 151, has playground and picnic facilities, wading creek and scenic walks. For information, call 563-556-6745.
* Miller Riverview Park, between two marinas on Chaplain Schmitt Memorial Island, has campsites with electrical hookups, picnic facilities, fireplaces, boat launch and bike trail nearby, ample parking, good fishing, shaded areas. Reservations for group picnics can be made by calling 563-589-4238.
* Valentine Park, entrance located on Valentine Drive. An 11-acre park includes a softball field, hard surface play area, play equipment, picnic tables, grill and walking path.
* Cancer Survivor Park, Third and College streets.
* Jackson Park, bordered by Iowa, Main and 15th streets.
* Rocco Buda Jr. Park, 508 Loras Blvd.
* Skate Park, located in Gerald "Red" McAleece Park and Recreation Complex on Adm. Sheehy Drive, on Chaplain Schmitt Island.
* Washington Square, bordered by Sixth, Seventh, Locust and Bluff streets. Gazebo available by reservation.
* Dyersville -- Commercial Club Park offers picnic and playground area, shelter, baseball diamond, aquatic center, tennis courts and pavilion.
* City Recreational Park offers playground equipment, lighted softball field, tennis courts, basketball courts and volleyball court.
* New Wine Park near the city has camping facilities with electrical outlets, hiking trails, picnic area, playgrounds, shelters and fishing. Open May-October.
* Westside Park has two softball fields, tennis court, tot lot and skating rink.
* Edgewood -- Bixby State Park and Reserve, two miles north of Edgewood, has spring water, rare deep-woods plant life, tables, picnic areas and hiking area. Ice Cave is the main attraction.
* City Park has shelter house, picnic tables, water, rest rooms and playground equipment.
* Elkader -- Deer Run Park, Iowa 13, east of Elkader. Rental lodge, camper park, two-acre lake. Near city swimming pool and Turkey River.
* Turkey River Park on south edge of Elkader city limits on Iowa 13 offers camping and picnic facilities and fishing.
* Elkader Recreation Park has picnic tables, shelter houses, new swimming pool and camping area. Area has comfort station and shower facilities, ball diamond and tennis courts.
* Osborne Conservation Education Center, six miles south of Elkader on Iowa 13, 260 acres, is divided by the Volga River. Picnic areas, nature trails, fishing and limited camping available. Nearly 25,000 coniferous trees are planted, many in display plantings. A visitor center is open seven days per week and has many environmental displays. Live animal exhibits include buffalo, elk, deer, pheasants, peacocks, wild turkey, duck and geese. There also is a conservation practices display farm showing terraces, strip crops, farm pond and other soil-use plans.
* Pony Hollow Trail. Limestone trail, three miles along the Turkey River. Hike, bike and bridle trail.
* Farley -- City park, full recreation park offers great picnic and playground area with open shelters, lighted baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball, volleyball and horseshoe courts. Closed-in pavilion facility available for rentals. For pavilion reservations call, 563-744-3575.
* Farmington -- Indian Lake Park, located southwest on Iowa 81. The park is 177 acres, including a 44-acre lake with fishing and a two-mile multi-purpose trail around the lake. Campsites, showers, playground equipment, boat rentals, shelters and more. 319-878-3706.
* Shimek State Forest, the largest contiguous forest of Iowa's three state forests, with 9,000 acres. Four large ponds are stocked with largemouth bass, catfish and other panfish. Electric trolling motors allowed. Public hunting allowed for white tail deer, turkey and other small game. Winter sports include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling trails and ice fishing. Equestrian trails and camping facilities are available at the Lick Creek I unit. Picnic tables, cook sites and primitive campsites are throughout the forest.
* Garnavillo -- On U.S. 52, a roadside picnic area has playground equipment; tables, shelter house and rest rooms.
* Greeley -- City Park has shelter with water and electricity available, rest rooms, softball field and basketball and volleyball courts.
* Fountain Spring Creek Park located three miles northeast of Greeley, 180 acres with trout stream picnicking, camping, fishing and archery range. No electricity.
* Guttenberg -- Riverfront, mile-long shaded park has picnic tables, grills for cooking and gazebo-type shelter and rest rooms. Bussey Lake picnic area with rest room and handicapped boat dock. Fifteen-mile Great River Road Bike Trail.
* Harpers Ferry -- Yellow River State Forest 6,548 acres. Located about two miles west of Harpers Ferry. Includes fireplaces, picnic sites, trout streams, hiking trails, primitive camping spots, a drinking water supply, toilets, areas for seasonal hunting, bridle trails and unloading ramps for horses. Camping in designated areas are for overnight weekend or a maximum two-week period.
* Holy Cross -- Bankston Park, six miles southeast of Holy Cross, provides camping, hiking, fishing and stream wading.
* City Park, at city limits, offers playground, three pavilions, tennis court and ball diamond. For pavilion reservations, call 563-870-2475 or 870-2075.
* Hopkinton -- Dunlap Park, at the dam at south edge of Hopkinton on Maquoketa River provides fishing, shelter, well, fireplace and toilets.
* Hardscrabble Park, south of Hopkinton, has picnic and camping areas.
* Independence -- 12 city parks, and Three Elms Park one mile south along the Wapsipinicon River.
* Fontana Park, on Otter Creek, 10 miles north of Independence on Iowa 150, consists of 120 acres of woodland and a 60-acre lake with fishing and boating. Half of area is refuge for native wildlife and fish spawning. Remainder provides recreational activities, including archery, camping, picnic facilities and rest rooms. Also has seven softball diamonds, nature/hiking trail and fitness trail.
* Jesup -- City Park has playground equipment and picnic area. It also has two basketball courts and two tennis courts located next to water tower.
* Cutshall area, four-and-one-half miles north of Jesup on Wapsipinicon River, 70 acres, offers river access, hunting, camping, rest rooms, picnic facilities and nature trail.
* Parker Muncey Pioneer Park, walking path and flower gardens.
* Keosauqua -- Mormon Trail, traversed by several thousand Latter-day Saints beginning in 1846, closely follows Iowa 2 in the southern tier of the county. For information, contact the Keosauqua Family History Center 319-293-3455.
* Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, one of Iowa's largest parks with 1,653 acres, 113 campsites, 45 with electricity, modern rest rooms, showers, picnic shelters for rent, hiking trails and more. Lacey Lake has a boat ramp and fishing, with boat rentals available. Call 319-293-3502.
* Lansing -- Mount Hosmer Park, 25-acre wooded city park atop a majestic bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Fifty miles of river valley in three states can be viewed from the park.
* Lime Springs -- Lidtke Park, near the historic Lidtke Mill, offers camping, canoeing access, rest rooms, fishing on the Upper Iowa River and a shelter.
* Luana -- City Park on west side.
* Manchester -- Pin Oak Park has 103 acres of scenic picnic and camping area along the Maquoketa River, offers fishing and hunting. The old Rocky Ford river crossing, a shallow stretch of river tumbling over rock river bottom, is within the park. It has fireplaces, well, shelter, electrical hookups for campers, toilets and playground equipment.
* Tirrill Park, West Union Street and Iowa 13, has picnic area, gardens, lighted aquatic center and tennis court.
* Coffins Grove Park, four miles Northeast of Manchester, 122 acres of fishing, picnicking and camping facilities, with two shelters, fireplaces, well, toilets, ball diamond, horseshoe courts and playground equipment.
* Turtle Creek Park, 200-acre park six miles southeast on Lake Delhi, offers facilities including camping areas with electrical hookups, toilets, two wells, shelters and boat ramp.
* Bailey's Ford Park, southeast on County D5X, offers 80 acres of scenic camping and picnicking along the Maquoketa River and trout fishing in the park stream. Facilities include well, shelter, playground equipment, electrical hookups, dump station for campers, toilets, nature trails and nature center. Nature center hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. A boat-launching area to the Maquoketa River is on the northwest corner of Bailey's Ford Bridge.
* Central Park, East Howard and North Brewer, has tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.
* Maquoketa -- Maquoketa Caves State Park, eight miles northwest of Maquoketa on Iowa 428, has the largest natural bridge in the Midwest, 17 tons of balanced rock and 13 caves. Provides camping, showers and hiking trails.
* Joinerville Park, four miles west and one-and-a-half miles north of Maquoketa on Iowa 62, eight acres bordering south fork of the Maquoketa River, with camping, picnicking, toilets, water, fishing and concrete boat ramp. This is a major recovery point for canoers who float the South Fork of the Maquoketa River.
* Eden Valley Park, south of Baldwin, provides camping, fishing, hiking trails, lookout trails and swinging bridge.
* Blackhawk Wildlife Area, three miles west on Iowa 64 and two miles north, offers hiking and scenic overlooks.
* Marquette -- Clayton County Conservation Park, west of Marquette on Bloody Run Trout Stream, offers camping facilities, hunting and fishing.
* Effigy Mounds National Monument, three miles north, features ancient Indian burial grounds. Open year-round with guided and self-guided tours.
* Yellow River State Forest Reserve, north of Marquette, contains 6,000 acres of virgin timber, along with picnic facilities. Paint Creek unit offers wilderness camping.
* Maynard -- Large park within the city limits provides fishing, playgrounds, ball diamond, camping facilities, shelter houses, electric outlets and tennis court. Volga River runs through park.
* McGregor -- Pike's Peak State Park, on a 500-foot bluff overlooking the Mississippi River valley, was the vantage point for Zebulon Pike, an Army surveyor who later discovered Pike's Peak in Colorado. The highest bluff on the Mississippi offers a magnificent view of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. The park has fireplaces, shelter house, picnic facilities, miles of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, camping area and showers. For more information, call 563-873-2341.
* Monona -- City park with historic grandstand, playground and picnic facilities, municipal swimming pool.
* Monticello -- Walnut Acres, on north edge of town along Iowa 38, offers canoeing, fishing and beach area for swimming. It is equipped for primitive and modern camping and offers a variety of weekend activities.
* Four public parks with the largest park (also known as the Jones County Fairgrounds) adjoining a nine-hole golf course, with fireplaces and picnic tables, a large playground, ball diamond and several shelters. The second park is located near the Aquatic Center and has picnic tables and playground equipment and a band shell. Jacobs Park has a ball diamond and playground equipment. Riverside Gardens is located at the intersection of Third Street and U.S. 151. It has 33 flower beds, a picnic area, 2 1/2 acres of wetland, nature trails, gazebo and wishing well. The wetlands and gardens have cement handicapped accessible walkways.
* Pictured Rocks and Wilderness Area provides hiking, climbing, exploring and fishing areas.
* Mount Vernon -- Palisades-Kepler State Park is a nice place for a family cookout. Picnickers can enjoy themselves, while at the same time, enjoying views of the Cedar River and the tree-lined bluffs along it. An open picnic shelter is available and may be reserved for a fee through the park office. The lodge at Palisades-Kepler was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park boasts 44 campsites, 26 with electrical hookups. Modern shower and restroom facilities are available, as well as a trailer dump station. It also has four rustic family cabins available for weekly rentals. The cabins, which can accommodate up to four persons, feature a shower, restroom, stove and refrigerator. Cabin users must provide their own bedding, towels and other camping items. Reservations must be made through the park office.
* Nashua -- Cedar View Park, located off Iowa 218 north of Nashua, near city limits on Cedar Lake. Offers camping, fishing, boating, public beach, showers, docks, skate park and tennis courts.
* Lakeshore Park, located on Cedar Lake off Lakeshore Drive, dock, walking trail with wildflower gardens, picnic area and rest rooms.
* Veterans Park, located on Iowa 346 by the dam. Army tank and flag display.
* Cannon Park, located on Iowa 346, top of hill overlook of Cedar Lake, picnic area and cannon display.
* Oelwein -- Wings Park, Fourth Street and Fifth Street NE, family aquatic center, softball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts, playground equipment, picnic tables, grills and horseshoe pit.
* City Park, south on Frederick, offers swimming on Lake Oelwein, softball diamond, tennis court, basketball court, playground equipment, picnic tables, grills, horseshoe pit, volleyball court, shelters and 20 modern hookups for camping.
* Redgate Park, at West Charles, has facilities for tennis, bocce ball court, horseshoes and fishing. Also has picnic tables, shelter and playground equipment.
* Platte's Park, Seventh Street SE, playground equipment, shelter with electricity, large open space.
* Preston -- Two Good Park, Peppermint Park and Westside Park. Each park has playground equipment and benches for sitting. Two Good Park and Westside Park each have shelters, picnic tables and rest rooms. Westside Park has tennis courts, volleyball nets and horseshoe pits.
* Cooper Creek Trail, located on the northside of town and goes by the industrial park. Available for walking and jogging.
* Stockport -- Morris Park, located northeast of Stockport. Quiet, peaceful and remote. Sixty-acre park has seven buildings containing artifacts from the county's farming past. A one-acre pond is stocked with bluegills, bass and channel fish. Nature trails, picnic and playground area, 15 camping sites, showers and more. Call 319-796-2148.
* Strawberry Point -- Backbone State Park, a 1,600-acre state park with trout fishing, lake, beach, boating, hiking trails, cabins, camping and picnicking facilities.
* Campbell Park, swimming, tennis, playground, picnic area and shelter house.
* Inger Park, band shell and picnic area with shelter house.
* Waukon -- The Paint Creek unit of the Yellow River Forest area. Offers fishing, hunting, camping and scenic overlooks. Area contains wildlife and the only fire lookout tower in Iowa.
* City Park has picnic facilities, playground, softball diamonds, aquatic center, pond, trails, electricity, water, rest rooms and showers, tent camping and shelter houses on 42 acres devoted to recreation.