US
Iowa
Dubuque

167 votes

Mines Of Spain Recreation Area

Mines Of Spain Rd, Dubuque, Iowa 52003 USA

Closed Now

Opens Fri 4a

Independent

“Outdoor playground”

State wildlife area offers 1;387 acres of forest and tallgrass prairie along the Mississippi River. Designated watchable wildlife area and urban wildlife sanctuary with excellent birdwatching. 20 miles of trails; with river overlooks; prairie and oak savannas. Cross-country skiing; canoeing and kayaking. E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center has exhibits on the park's history and natural resources and is accessible to persons with disabilities. The Julien Dubuque's Mines of Spain is a National Historic Landmark with hundreds of archeological sites and a rich history of American Indian settlement; lead mining; fur trading; lumbering; and farm life. Park open daily 4 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

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Reviewed by
Lesli Peterson

Blogger
1,138 Reviews
43 Helpful

August 09, 2022

Rated 5.0

The Mines of Spain Recreation Area is one of Dubuque’s top attractions. This 1,439-acre state park is a great place to go if you love nature and wildlife.

In the past, residents used some parts of the park for animal grazing, cropping, mining, and logging. Today, the park is home to various wildlife, including bobcats, red-shouldered hawks, bald eagles, and flying squirrels.

You can explore the old trading posts and villages, check out the rock shelters that have been around for ages, and marvel at the 250-year-old oak trees on the prairie.

There’s also an Interpretive Center and a monument dedicated to Julien Dubuque, the first European settler in the area. And if you’re searching for some outdoor adventure, you can hike or ski along the 12 miles of trails through the limestone bluffs and forested lands.

We think a visit here is one of the best things to do in Dubuque, Iowa!

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