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| Trails: |
| Hiking and cross-country ski trails are available at the Mines of Spain. Four miles of ski trails are maintained, and 14 miles of hiking trails. There are five individual nature walks within the park, including those at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center and another at the Horseshoe Bluff Site. Other trails provide a wide range of opportunities for visitors to view Mines of Spain on old winding logging roads, to view limestone bluffs, scenic vistas, and to enjoy a hike through forests and prairie. Some of the trails are steep and challenging. |
| Picnicking: |
| The Mines of Spain offers fine settings for a family or company picnic. Visitors can enjoy the outdoors, experience the E.B. Lyons Nature Center, hike the many trails and enjoy the natural vistas at the park. Picnicking facilities are available at the center, at the Julien Dubuque Monument, at the Horseshoe Bluff Area, at the canoe launch area, and at the south parking area. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Hunting:
The Mines of Spain is a wildlife management area that allows trapping and archery hunting for all seasons. Limited firearm hunting for deer (regular gun season in early December) and spring turkey hunting (first season in mid April) is allowed south of Catfish Creek. Call the park ranger for details.
The Mines of Spain State Recreation Area was dedicated in 1981. It was acquired with the assistance of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The acquisition helped assure the protection of an important piece of Iowa's historical and natural heritage. In 1993, the area was designated as a National Historical Landmark.
The 1380 acres which make up the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area include a variety of interesting land forms, plant species and communities, animals and water types. Much of the area is rugged, wooded Mississippi River Bluffland. While much of the original timber along the Mississippi River was logged off during the steamboat era (1865-1880), portions of the Mines of Spain Area were left untouched, leaving us with burr oak trees today that are over 250 years old.
The Mines of Spain Area was designated as one of Iowa's "Watchable Wildlife Areas", and with good cause. Rare species, including the bobcat, red-shouldered hawk, flying squirrel and bald eagle have all been seen on the area. In addition the area is home to a large variety of songbirds, white-tailed deer, wild turkey and numerous small mammals. With wetlands, creeks forest, prairies, cropland, meadows and the Mississippi River, the Mines of Spain offers a wide variety of Iowa's natural world for those who take the time to look and listen. |
| History of the Area: |
| The earliest known inhabitants of the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area during historical times were the Mesquakie Indians. Their village was located just south of where the Julien Dubuque Monument now stands, at the mouth of Catfish Creek. From this site, the Indians carried on a fur trade with French voyagers. They also worked the lead mines for many decades dating back to before the Revolutionary War. There is evidence of prehistoric Indian cultures, some dating back as much as 8000 years. Mounds, village sites, rock shelters, trading post sites, and campsites dot the landscape.
Dubuque is credited as being the first European to settle on what is now Iowa soil in 1788. In 1796, Dubuque received a land grant from the Governor of Spain who resided in New Orleans at the time. The grant gave permission for Julien Dubuque to work the land which was owned by Spain, and specified the 189-square mile area to be names as "Mines of Spain". Dubuque eventually married Potosa, daughter of the Mesquakie Indian Chief, Peosta. Dubuque died March 24, 1810.
Lead mining was a major part of this area's history, first by the Indians, and in later years (late 1830s through the 1850s) by European miners and farmers. The Civil War caused renewed lead mining activity which waned after the war but continued until 1914.
The Julien Dubuque Monument, built in 1897, sits high above the Mississippi River and provides the "landmark" for the Mines of Spain Area. Julien Dubuque is buried on this site which provides a scenic vista of the 1380-acre Mines of Spain, the city of Dubuque, the Mississippi River Valley and of Illinois. When Dubuque died, the Mesquakie buried him with tribal honors beneath a log mausoleum at the site where the current monument now stands. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Hotels/Motels | |  | Carroll County Tourism - Carroll County, IL
You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.
Web Site: http://www.gocarrollcounty.com |
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| | Cottages and Cabins | |  | Wisconsin River Retreat - Mazomanie, WI
Vacation cottages, fully furnished, located on the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. Clean 1100 sq. ft. two bedroom cottage with huge granite fireplace. These two renovated cottages were originally built during World War II as military housing for Truax Field Army Base, Madison, WI.
Web Site: http://www.wisconsinriverretreat.com |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: Eastern Iowa Prairie Rescue Locations - ... River Recreation Area Greiner Nature Preserve Mines of Spain State Park Hayden Prairie Preserve Eddyville Dunes Rochester ... Mines of Spain State Park Saturday, April 26, 2003 9 a.m. - 12 ... | | Iowa Hiking Trail Finder - Comprehensive links & descriptions to hiking pages for Iowa ... my finger on it but it's a likable town. Good people. Mines of Spain State Park basic trail descriptions, downloadable map. Pikes Peak ... | | PIctures - The Julian Dubuque Memorial is located on a scenic bluff-top in the Mines of Spain State Park, located on the south edge of Dubuque, Iowa. Eagle Point Park has lovely vistas of the Mississippi ... | | Iowa on Hiker Central - Backpacking, hiking and camping tips and links for Iowa ... Park Mc Intosh Woods State Park Mill Creek State Park Mines of Spain State Park Mini-Wakan State Park Nine Eagles State Park Noble Island ... | | Super 8 Platteville Wi hotel Platteville - 100 Hwy 80 - Super 8 Platteville Wi Platteville ... 27 Mi Ne Julien Dubuque Bridge 26 Mi Ne Kennedy Mall 29 Mi Ne Mines Of Spain State Park 28 Mi Ne Mining Museum .5 Mi Miss Marquette Riverboat 50 Mi Clarke College ... | | Super 8 Dyersville Ia hotel Dyersville - 925 15th Ave Se - Super 8 Dyersville Ia Dyersville ... 24 Mi W Julien Dubuque Museum 23 Mi W Kennedy Mall 21 Mi W Mines Of Spain State Park 23 Mi W Oldslot Tower 24 Mi W Riverboat Gambling 25 Mi Riverboat Scenic Rides ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center:
The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center serves as a visitor information center and park office. Displays and exhibits provide information about the history and features of the park. The Betty Hauptli Bird and Butterfly Garden, native prairies, woodland flower gardens, hiking trails, and historic Junkerman farm site are just some of the many attractions at the Center. The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center is open year-round. Programs are offered at the Center on Sunday mornings during the summer season; and special programs can be scheduled with the park ranger at other times.
Horseshoe Bluff Interpretive Area:
The geological history of the Dubuque vicinity is laid bare in this area. A thick layer of Ordovician dolomite rock has been exposed in the horseshoe-shaped quarry. In addition a 15-acre wetland with two floating trails gives access to a wildlife observation blind. Interpretive signs provide interesting insights into the geology, history and resources of the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area. |
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| Area Activities |
| Tourism | | | Carroll County Tourism - Carroll County, IL
You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.
Web Site: http://www.gocarrollcounty.com |
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