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Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center, Dubuque, IA

Photo: Bill Whittaker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center

A state recreation area on Dubuque's southern edge with limestone bluffs, trails, lead-mining history, and a nature interpretive center.

8991 Bellevue Heights, Dubuque, IA 52003 · Dubuque, IA

About Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center

This Iowa state recreation area near Dubuque is a National Historic Landmark District. Its archaeological sites include village sites, rock shelters, and trading post sites, and the area was a lead mining location until after the Civil War. The Julien Dubuque Monument stands high above the Mississippi River. The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center covers the park's history and natural features, and the nearby Betty Hauptli Bird and Butterfly Garden, native prairies, and woodland flower gardens add to the visit. Hiking and biking trails offer views of limestone bluffs, and winter brings cross-country skiing on groomed trails. Hunting is permitted in parts of the area under state rules.

  • #state park
  • #national historic landmark
  • #lead mining history
  • #interpretive center
  • #hiking

What's around here?

The closest stops to Mines of Spain State Recreation Area and E. B. Lyons Nature Center, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Quirky Fun

    Fenelon Place Elevator

    Under $25

    Ride a tiny funicular cable car 189 feet up the bluff for views of downtown Dubuque, the Mississippi and three states.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

    $25–$50

    Watch sturgeon, river otters and rays in more than a dozen aquariums, then see a historic Mississippi River steamboat dredge.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums

    Dubuque Museum of Art

    Under $25

    An art museum in downtown Dubuque known for its Grant Wood holdings and a collection of more than 2,500 works.

    2.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Family Favorite

    Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

    No admission fee

    Wander free through Japanese, English, rose, hosta and prairie gardens on 56 acres in Dubuque, and catch a Sunday concert in summer.

    5.6 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Maquoketa Caves State Park

    No admission fee

    Hike six miles of trails linking about 13 caves, a 50-foot natural bridge and a 17-ton balanced rock.

    25 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Wapsipinicon State Park

    Check prices

    Iowa state park on Anamosa's edge, known for handmade stone structures, caves, trails, and river fishing.

    41 mi awayMore like this

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