Spring Break Extended Hours
2019-03-27 13:00 - 16:00, 2019-03-29 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | 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!

Winter Hours Start Now
2019-10-01 08:00 - 17:00
Winter hours for the EB Lyons Center will be Friday-Saturday-Sunday-Monday from 1-4pm until April 2020
closed Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday

Mines of Spain 100 Race
2019-10-19 - 2019-10-20
October 19th-20th, 2018 – www.minesofspain100.com
100mi and 100k trail running races at the Mines of Spain Recreation Iowa in Dubuque, Iowa.

Thanksgiving
2019-11-28
The EB Lyons Center is closed but all trails are open for hiking

Shotgun Deer Hunting Season 1
2019-12-07 - 2019-12-11
Please see maps and details here. Caution to hikers and pets on trails. Please report any deer taken to the office by calling 563-556-0620 with sex, date and area taken https://www.minesofspain.org/hunting/

Shotgun Deer Season 2
2019-12-14 - 2019-12-22

First Day Hike
2020-01-01 13:00 - 15:00 | EB Lyons Center, 8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA, 52003, United States
First Day Hike is a program of free, guided hikes offered by the fifty state park systems of the United States each year on New Year’s Day. Start your year off right with a guided outdoor hike for all ages. Meet at EB Lyons Center and dress for the weather. Refreshments will follow sponsored by the Friends of the Mines of Spain

Sunday Program - Wildlife Photography
2020-01-12 13:00 - 16:00
Wildlife Photography – Dubuque Camera Club presents Wildlife Photography tips and tricks and announcement of Friends of the Mines of Spain/IDNR 2020 photo contest. Free for all ages. EB Lyons Center building and displays will be open also. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mines of Spain

EB Lyons Center Closed
2020-01-17
Closed due to weather

Bald Eagle Watch
2020-01-18 09:00 - 16:00
See the Friends of the Mines of Spain and the IDNR at the Grand River Center and enjoy free programs with live birds of prey

Icefest at River Museum
2020-01-18 10:00 - 17:00 | River Museum & Aquarium
See the Friends of the Mines of Spain at the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium for a weekend full of great events. Admission is charged to the museum.

Icefest at River Museum
2020-01-19 10:00 - 17:00

Sunday Program - History of the Rockdale Flood
2020-01-26 13:00 - 16:00 | EB Lyons Center, 8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA, 52003, United States
The centennial storm ripped its way across Madison and Warren Counties in Iowa on it way east, leaving dozens dead in it’s wake. When the storm reached Rockdale, a small town nestled in the Catfish Creek Valley, it unleashed it’s full fury. When it was all over, nothing but death and destruction was left in it’s wake. The storm had claimed 39 lives in Rockdale; entire families were killed, children were left orphaned. Kyle Cox will present on this monumental storm in Dubuque’s history. Kyle Cox is a local historian. Free for all ages. EB Lyons Center building and displays will be open also. Sponsored by the Friends of the Mines of Spain
