Channel your inner flying squirrel near Dubuque at historic Union Park. Sky Tours features seven ziplines that soar above treetops and ridges. The unique history and natural beauty of this century-old park combine to make for a fascinating tour as you hike from one zipline to the next. But you’ll forget all that when you strap in and step off the 45-foot tower into thin air! (Check out coverage of the course via Iowa Public Television’s Iowa Outdoors.) Spelunkers rejoice! The famous caves of Maquoketa Caves State Park are open again. When you visit, you’ll learn about our friends the bats and how to protect them. Enjoy caves, limestone formations and rugged bluffs – visit the interpretive center to learn more about the caves. Come for a day trip or pitch a tent in wooded campground. Iowa’s oldest state park, Backbone State Park near Strawberry Point, is named for the rugged bedrock formation that twists and turns through the area. Rock climbers enjoy steep bluffs; boaters enjoy the lazy Maquoketa River. Bring your banjo and jam at the Backbone Bluegrass Festival in late July. Try your hand at whitewater rafting without traveling to the Rockies. It’s just a short trip to the Charles City WhiteWater at Riverfront Park, where the Cedar River flows through the middle of town and provides exciting recreation for paddlers and tubers of any experience level. Be sure to mark your calendars for the first annual Charles City Challenge: WhiteWater Weekend June 15-17, and see stand-up paddling make a splash!One of Iowa’s longest trails, the Wabash Trace Nature Trail stretches more than 62 miles through southwest Iowa on a converted railroad bed. An annual trail pass will grant you unlimited access to this multi-use trail – see bikers, hikers, even horseback riders enjoying Iowa’s wide-open scenery and friendly little towns. Ask locally about the Taco Ride… we dare you. Can you ride a mountain bike without a mountain? Of course! Hundreds of mountain bikers will gather June 22-24, 2012, at Scott County Park in eastern Iowa for the 2012 Midwest Mountain Bike Festival. Look for more ideas to paddle, bike, run and swim across Iowa at http://www.traveliowa.com/.
Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office
January 7
Clinton Bald Eagle Watch• Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 13, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.• Live Bird and Nature Programs at Clinton Community College, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.• Exhibits at Clinton Community College from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.• Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area.• For more information call 815.259.3628January 14Ottumwa Eagle Walk• Outdoor viewing at Bridge View Center 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.• Contact Chamber of Commerce 641.682.3465January 21Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch• Outdoor viewing, south of Lock and Dam 11 at A.Y. McDonald Park from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.• Live eagle and bird of prey programs by the University of Minnesota Raptor Center at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.• Live bobcat and lynx program by Pella Wildlife Co.• Indoor exhibits from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque• Trolley rides from Grand River Center to outdoor viewing area• For more information call 563.556.4372 or 563.582.0881January 21 - 22Keokuk Bald Eagle Days• Indoor programs and environmental fair at the River City Mall, Keokuk• Live eagle programs Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.• Outdoor viewing along the riverfront • For more information call 800.383.1219January 28 Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch• Outdoor viewing from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Illinois Boat Club• Live eagle programs at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Pearl City Station• For more information call 563.263.7913February 24Des Moines Lunch with Eagles• Scott St. Dam, 303 Scott Ave., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.• Outdoor viewing in downtown Des Moines • For more information call 515.865.6564February 26 Saylorville Bald Eagle Watch, Polk City• Outdoor Viewing at selected sites around reservoir, start at Visitor’s Center Noon - 4 p.m.• For more information call 515.276.4656March 2-3Red Rock Bald Eagle Watch, Pella• Outdoor viewing at Howell Station 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.• Indoor programs at Pella Central College 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.• For more information call 641.828.7522March 3Linn Grove Eagle Watch• Registration 8:30 - 10 a.m.• Refreshments served in the morning• Can pre-register by sending to Wonders of Nature, 107 Weaver, Linn Grove• Speakers from 10 a.m. to Noon• Lunch served at 12:15 p.m., free will offering• Outdoor viewing at selected sites, start at Nature Center, Linn Grove Main St.• For more information call 712.296.4920Information provided by Pat Schlarbaum, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
