Mines of Spain

National Public Lands Day: Park Clean-up Event
2017-09-30 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Celebrate National Public Lands Day at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area on Saturday, September 30, from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm in two different areas of the park.

What: Volunteer in one or both events in your park while enjoying some of Dubuque’s most beautiful scenery. One group will participate in trash pick up along park trails and another group will work on prairie and trail corridor restoration.

Event 1 | TRASH PICK UP (GROUP 1):
We will split into smaller groups (or on your own) and hike different trails to pick up trash left behind from the summer’s busy recreation season. Trails will include: Horse Shoe Bluff, Calcite, Sauk & Fox, Prairie & Cedar Ridge; Catfish; Cattesse & Eagle Scout trails. Keep in mind some trails have ‘Moderate’ to ‘Difficult’ ratings due to steep slopes, steps, and topography changes.

When: Saturday, September 30, from 9:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Meet at the Horse Shoe Bluff parking lot (11346 Mines of Spain Road)
What to bring: hiking shoes; weather-appropriate clothing; water; sunscreen/bug spray; gloves; hat; etc.
We will provide trash bags, gloves, and park trail maps.

Event 2 | PRAIRIE RESTORATION & CORRIDOR CLEARING (GROUP 2):
We will restore prairie, as well as work on trail corridor maintenance and box steps cleaning. This will be a more labor intensive option and will require the use of hand loppers and/or shovels to widen trails, clean box steps, and remove invasive plants from prairie.

When: Saturday, September 30, from 8:00am-11:30pm
Where: Meet at E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center (8991 Bellevue Heights Road, Dubuque, IA 52003)
What to bring: Hiking shoes, water, weather-appropriate clothing; sunscreen/bug spray; gloves; loppers & shovels if you have your own.
We will provide a limited supply of loppers, shovels, gloves, and trash bags.

*These events are weather dependent.
Questions? Call the park office at 563-556-0620.

12pm Drawing Days (Pt. 4)
2017-09-30 09:00 - 15:00
Come on down to the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center to exercise your drawing skills! We have a large natural history collection including skulls, taxidermy, fossils, and even some live animals that are ripe for artistic interpretation! Bring your own supplies and even bring your own music or snacks. No fancy drawing skills needed!
Cost: Free
When: Every Saturday in September from 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Where: Downstairs classroom of E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center
E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center (lower level classroom)
8991 Bellevue Heights Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003
Questions? 563-556-0620

E.B. Lyons CLOSED
2017-10-04, 2017-10-11, 2017-10-18, 2017-10-25
The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center is closed on Wednesdays for aquarium maintenance.

12pm Fall Crafts: Walnut Races Edition!
2017-10-07 12:00 - 14:00
All ages and families are welcome to the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center’s downstairs classroom as we create and decorate our own walnut race cars. After we decorate we will take them outside to race!
Questions? Call the park office at 563-556-0620.

12pm Fall Nature Crafts Day
2017-10-14 12:00 - 15:00
All ages are welcome to the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center anytime between 12:00pm-3:00pm in the downstairs classroom.
We will be making fall-themed crafts using things like walnuts and acorns.
Questions? Call the park office at 563-556-0620.

Winter Season Hours (OCT 16-APRIL 30)
2017-10-16
WINTER HOURS: Effective October 16th through April 30th.
The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center will be open during the winter season: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
The center will be CLOSED: Wednesdays, Saturdays – Sundays.

EB Lyons Center Closed Wednesdays
2017-11-22 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-06 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-13 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-20 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-27 08:00 - 17:00

Happy Thanksgiving EB Lyons Center Closed
2017-11-23

EB Lyons Center Closed
2017-11-24

EB Lyons Center Closed Weekends
2017-11-25, 2017-11-26, 2017-12-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-03 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-09 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-16 08:00 - 17:00, 2017-12-17 08:00 - 17:00 and 1 more date

Merry Christmas EB Lyons Center Closed
2017-12-25 08:00 - 17:00

First Day Hike-CANCELLED
2018-01-01 13:00 - 14:00
First Day Hikes Canceled Due to Frigid Temperatures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2017

Iowa’s First Day Hikes Canceled Due to Frigid Temperatures
DES MOINES – With temperatures predicted to dip well below zero, the Iowa DNR has decided to cancel First Day Hikes at 27 state parks scheduled for New Year’s Day.
“While it’s a great disappointment to us to cancel this event, the safety of park visitors comes first,” said Todd Coffelt, State Parks Bureau Chief. “We know that frost bite can set in fairly quickly at those cold temperatures, so we are using caution in making this decision.”
First Day Hikes are part of a national initiative to encourage people to spend time outdoors. Last year in Iowa, more than 1,200 people participated in hikes across the state.
“We definitely will plan on hosting hikes again next year, and anyone can visit state parks during the winter and enjoy the beautiful scenery that’s unique to this time of year,” said Coffelt.

Media Contact: Todd Coffelt, Chief, State Parks Bureau, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-725-8485

EB Lyons Center Closed
2018-01-10
EB Lyons Center is Closed on Wednesdays. As always, please enjoy our trails daily-open 365 days a year

Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation in Dubuque County Forum
2018-01-13 10:00 - 12:00
A public input session to hear from you regarding your hopes and plans for the future of parks, outdoor recreation, conservation and natural resources in Dubuque County. Sponsored by State Rep. Chuck Isenhart, ranking member of the Environmental Protection Committee in the Iowa House of Representatives and a member of the General Assembly’s Appropriations Subcommittee for Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. Other Dubuque area elected officials are being invited. Conservation and recreation groups from the area will be on hand to share information with you about their activities. For more information: goodcampaign@aol.com.
Short hike to follow

Icefest @River Museum
2018-01-13 11:00 - 15:00
Icefest
National River Museum and Aquarium
January 13-15 11-3 Outdoor Activities River Museum location
Join the Friends of the Mines of Spain for a celebration of winter.
This year’s Ice Fest includes annual favorites such as IPTV Kids Club’s Dan Wardell, with his friend Clifford the Big Red Dog, snow and ice sculptures, ice harvesting, and crafts. New programs include a KWWL Winter Weather Lab, curling demonstrations, sled rides with Plumery Tails, Sundown ski demonstrations, Dubuque Regional Humane Society winter pet safety, and historical presentations from the Dubuque County Historical Society collection.
Ice Fest is included with general admission to the Museum & Aquarium, and is free for members.
