Icefest
2019-01-19 08:00 - 2019-01-21 17:00 (America/Chicago)
More information coming soon

Bald Eagle Watch
2019-01-19 09:00 - 16:00

Special Deer Hunting Season
2019-01-26 07:00 - 2019-02-10 17:30
Special Deer Hunt due to Chronic Wasting Disease found in Dubuque County January 26-February 10, 2019
See maps and info on our hunting page

Sunday Winter Program - The Thin Places: A Celtic Landscape from Ireland to the Driftless by Kevin Koch
2019-01-27 13:00 - 14:00
Sunday Winter Program – Through photography and the written word, Dubuque author Kevin Koch presents The Thin Places: A Celtic Landscape from Ireland to the Driftless. (The Driftless Area is our own local rugged landscape that was bypassed by the glaciers that leveled much of the Midwest.) -1pm program. EB Lyons Building is open 1-4 Sunday

EB Lyons Center Closed due to ice
2019-02-08 13:00 - 16:00
EB Lyons Center will be closed today, Friday, February 8th due to ice build up from yesterday.

Sunday Winter Program- Unique Fish of the MIssissippi and the Fish Fry Experience
2019-02-10 13:00 - 14:00
Sunday Winter Program TBA -1pm program. EB Lyons Building is open 1-4 Sunday

EB Lyons Center Closed
2019-02-11 08:00 - 17:00
EB Lyons Center is Closed today

Storytelling through Wildlife Photography by Andreas Exner
2019-03-03 13:00 - 14:00
Postponed from 2/24 – You are invited to attend a presentation on Storytelling in Wildlife Photography by Dubuque Camera Club member Andreas Exner. Andreas is a skilled wildlife, nature, and landscape photographer. He is originally from Germany and now makes his home in the tri-states. You can see his photography on his website at http://www.exnerimages.net/
Andreas will share a slideshow of his images and discuss these questions:
♦ How to get started with wildlife photography, even with a small camera and lens?
♦ What are good locations to photograph wildlife in and around the Mississippi Valley?
♦ How can we become better story tellers with our photos?
♦ What about safety and ethics?
The hour-long presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. The program is free and open to all photography or nature enthusiasts in the tri-state area.

Sunday Winter Program- More to the Outdoors: Primitive to High-tech activities in nature
2019-03-10 13:00 - 14:00
More to the Outdoors: Primitive to High-tech activities in nature – / EB Lyons Building is open 1-4 Sunday – High Tech -Learn to operate real robotic telescopes to take images of objects in space using Microbservatory Robotic telescope Network. Bring cellphone and/or a tablet.

Bird Banding with David Shealer
2019-03-24 13:00 - 14:00
Bird Banding with David Shealer-1pm program. EB Lyons Building is open 1-4 Sunday. One of our most popular running programs. Great for all ages. David will capture live birds, weigh, measure and band and release. Gain appreciation of these ancient creatures.

Spring Break Extended Hours
2019-03-25 09:00 - 16:00, 2019-03-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2019-03-27 13:00 - 16:00, 2019-03-29 13:00 - 16:00 | EB Lyons Center, 8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA, 52003, United States
EB Lyons Center Open this week for Spring Break. Free admission

Spring Break Extended Hours
2019-03-28 13:00 - 16:00

Earth Day Celebration TBA
2019-04-20
Tentative Earth Day Celebration- TBA

Arbor Day
2019-04-26
#Arborday Enjoy the trees

Invasive Species Breakdown
2019-05-04 10:00 - 12:00
New date May 4, 2019
The public is invited to join the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area on May 4 from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m. for what is being coined as an “Invasive Species Beatdown.”
Senior Education Manager Jared McGovern will lead volunteers in making our public lands healthier through learning about and eliminating the alien and invasive Oriental bittersweet. Oriental bittersweet is a beautiful but deadly relative of native bittersweet. Fast growing and clingy, the plant can strangle nearby native plants and trees within a few short years.
Space for the event is limited, and volunteers interested in joining the Museum & Aquarium’s efforts should pre-register at rivermuseum.com/beatdown. Participation in the “Invasive Species Beatdown” is open to those eight and older; however, those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Necessary equipment will be provided to participants and waivers will be required prior to or upon arrival.
If you have any questions, please contact Senior Education Manager Jared McGovern at jmcgovern@rivermuseum.com or 563-557-9545 x215.

Catfish Creek Cleanup
2019-05-11 09:00 - 12:00
Jim Roling and Dick Worm are spearheading a Catfish Creek Cleanup. Canoes will be provided, so you can keep your own at home and clean. Meet at the Canoe launch. Bring your own life jacket if possible.

Mother's Day
2019-05-12
Happy Mother’s Day! Take her out for a hike and buy her something nice in our giftshop open 10-3

Iowa State Trail Explorer Volunteer Training Meeting
2019-05-19 15:00 - 17:00
*Note updated time. We will be providing information and training on our new adopt-a-trail program. All ages. More information on program click here

University of Iowa Wildlife Camp
2019-06-10 08:30 - 2019-06-14 15:30
See website for more information: https://recserv.uiowa.edu/mines-spain-state-recreation-area

Father's Day
2019-06-16 08:00 - 17:00
Bring Dad out for a hike and grill out on one of our grills or picnic on a picnic table.

EB Lyons Closed July 4th
2019-07-04

Canoe Program
2019-07-06 12:00 - 16:00 | Canoe Launch, 8308 Mines of Spain Road, Dubuque, IA, 52003, United States
Paddle Catfish Creek with the Mines of Spain!
Bring your own canoe/kayak, or we will have a limited amount available to use. Life jackets will be provided as well, but feel free to bring your own. Our seasonal naturalist will guide you on first time canoe and kayak basics. Bring bug repellent, water, and a bag to collect garbage with. Several people will be put together in one canoe, so this is a perfect opportunity for families. Travel will be up Catfish Creek and back. First come/first served as this is a limited program.
Meeting Location: Catfish Creek canoe launch parking lot at Mines of Spain.
Time: 12:00-4:00pm, plan to arrive early to fill out waivers.
**Weather permitting. Please call the park office at 563-556-0620 with questions.

Mines of Spain Trail Race
2019-08-10 07:00 - 14:00
EB Lyons Center opens at 10am, there is parking available in the original parking lot adjacent to the picnic area. Looks full, but visitors can still get in. Race is on trails starting at 7am

EB Lyons Center Open Labor Day
2019-08-25 10:00 - 2019-09-02 15:00

Happy Thanksgiving
2019-09-23 08:00 - 17:00
Trails are open all day. EB Lyons Center is Closed

Friends Appreciation Dinner
2019-09-23 17:30 - 20:00 | EB Lyons Center, 8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA, 52003, United States
RSVP if you are a Friend of the Mines of Spain

Iowa State Parks Volunteer Day at Mines of Spain
2019-09-28 09:00 - 12:00 | EB Lyons Center, 8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA, 52003, United States
We need your help!
On September 28th, 2019 all across the state of Iowa, Parks are hosting a Volunteer Day in preparation for 2020 or the 100th year of Iowa State Parks. Mines of Spain State Recreation Area is heavily utilized by hikers and our trails are showing the wear of the many years of exploring. Park staff this year have improved many miles of trails by correcting erosion spots, adding new gravel, re-decking steps, and with the assistance of Americorps, put in a new bridge across Horseshoe Bluff wetland The Mines of Spain Park Staff and the Friends of the Mines of Spain would like your assistance in repairing the Pine Chapel and Lead Mine Trails for our future park explorers. This event will take place on Saturday September 28th from 9:00AM-12:00PM with snacks and drinks provided by the Friends Group. Items to consider bringing would be shovels and gloves as we have a limited number for everyone to use. It is suggested to wear good soled shoes and long pants and sleeves as we will be tearing out old railroad ties and handling new ones.If you are interested in helping or have any additional questions please leave a message at 563-556-0620 or send me an email elli.slouha@dnr.iowa.gov so we know how many hands we have helping 😀
Any help with this project would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks for everything each of you have done to make the Mines of Spain a great place!
