South Entrance, Mines of Spain Recreation Area — Attraction in Dubuque

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Dubuque, Iowa boasts a rich history and natural beauty. This location was once used for lead mining and is now a National Historic Landmark with village sites, rock shelters, and trading post locations scattered throughout the landscape. The Julien Dubuque Monument, dedicated to the first European settler in the area, provides a great view of the Mississippi River and serves as a landmark for the park. Visitors can explore the area through a variety of trails and learn about the state's history at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center. In addition, programs are offered throughout the year and special arrangements can be made with the park staff. Park offers 15.1 miles of trails for hiking or biking. These trails showcase the park's beauty by providing views of towering limestone bluffs and scenic vistas. The American State Park Woodland Walk at the interpretive center explores the history of different trees and the Horseshoe Bluff trail and the John and Alice Butler trail are ADA accessible. This is a great location for hunting enthusiasts as it is a wildlife management area that allows trapping and archery hunting in all seasons. Limited firearm hunting for deer and spring turkey is allowed south of Catfish Creek. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic at various locations throughout the park, including the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center, the Julien Dubuque Monument, and the Horseshoe Bluff Area. Enjoy...

A fantastic (huge) park with a variety of trails and environs. We took the road less traveled on the Eagle Scout trail (I can't remember the exact name at the moment). It's the first parking area in the south entrance and you take a different trail to get there. The local guide page recommended this trail because so many fewer people walk it. I agree! It starts in a prairie and winds its way into a forest, along the river, and off a less beaten path to the railway tracks along the river (beware these are active freight tracks!). Bring plenty of water and apply insect spray. If it's rained recently, you'll run into a few muddy spots in the woods. You'll likely see birds, millipedes, toads, spiders, and maybe even salamanders. It's not an overly exertive walk, but there are grades to it. Definitely worth it for...

Mines of strange? Great place as usual but.....Took my 12 year old son fishing there today and everything was great except the boudoir photo shoot taking place next to us. We were there fishing and this lady and photographer show up and she strips down into a sheer "cat suit" and begins posing provocatively as the photographer tells her to crawl like a cat. Im all about self expression and to each their own but not in front of my 12 year old. Needless to say, we walked away. She later apologized which tells me she knew it was inappropriate...so they could've at least given me a heads up. Never a dull moment in...