For some, it's the dark damp caves. Others come for the fall colors. Horsemen-and women-saddle up to take advantage of cooler weather. Others come out when the fishing gets hot.

With September, the summer season closes in Iowa's state parks. The beaches, campgrounds and boat rentals will be pretty lonely places, now that school is back in session and temperatures are beginning to cool. For many outdoor enthusiasts, though, their park season is just getting underway.

"I was out on the trail (Wednesday) and probably passed 20 walkers and bicyclists," notes Lake Macbride state park ranger Gwen Prentice. "The wildlife viewing is great, too. The migrating pelicans are around and are fun to watch." The trail along the north shore of Macbride caters to joggers and bikers in warmer months, snowmobiles and more joggers and hikers in the winter. Linking to Solon, five miles to the east, it stays busy serving two destinations. Most other parks offer 'only' interior trails...though they feel the tread of a lot of feet and tires, too.

Blufftop viewing, equestrian facilities and other features attract cooler weather park users. Thousands of people crowd into Fort Atkinson for the 1840s era rendezvous on the fourth weekend in September. Lacey-Keosaqua State Park hosts its Forest Crafts Festival the second full weekend in October. Other state parks host one-day events, fun runs and heritage observances through autumn.

It's no coincidence that many of them coincide with the fall colors. "We get really busy, typically in that first and second weekend in October," agrees Jerry Reissinger, northeast district parks supervisor for the DNR. "At Pike's Peak (near Macgregor), we're directing traffic on Saturdays and Sundays, it's so crowded."

Better weather through the summer months meant more camping through the hottest part of the year. For many who want to avoid the crowds, though, fall camping fills the bill. A bigger question mark than the weather, though, may be gas prices. "I was at Maquoketa Caves over Labor Day weekend," notes Reissinger. "We didn't see as many Illinois license plates coming through. Attendance was down, over the same weekend a year ago. We did, though, notice a lot more motorcycle traffic than usual. Usually, when gas prices go up, we tend to see an increase in park use, though; people staying closer to home." To check on individual park festivals go to www.iowadnr.com and click on 'state parks.'

"The gas price spike and Hurricane Katrina seem to have spooked some people," acknowledges southeast parks supervisor Tom Basten. "Some of our (Labor Day campgrounds) that were full last year, were not this year. I still expect use to even out. That Des Moines family might not drive all the way to Lake Darling in southeast Iowa, but they'll probably head to Big Creek, closer to home."

Fall fishing is a magnet for many anglers. Cooling water temperatures trigger a feeding binge by most fish species. "Our boat motor size restriction goes off now. That'll bring more anglers to the lake," predicts Prentice, at Macbride. "Any size motors are allowed, as long as they operate at 'no wake' speed."

At the Mines of Spain, on the edge of Dubuque, the crowds start coming, as September hits. With its E.B. Lyons nature center, it's a big draw for school groups and families. "A typical trip is looking at the animals inside," admits Hilarie Vail, of Dubuque as she, her husband and three kids wrapped up a midweek visit, a few days ago. "It's exciting every time. There's picture coloring, a little puppet show and maybe a short walk on the trail."

"Our emphasis is interpretation," explains Mines of Spain ranger Wayne Buchholz. "With kids back in school, our season really gets going with field trips and youth groups." Buchholz says the topic might be the pioneer Junkerman farm, on the area. It might go back to the lead mining forays of Julien Dubuque....or examine the prehistoric native settlement that was on the bluffs above Catfish Creek and the Mississippi River. Those draws mean the interpretative center stays open year round (though closed on winter weekends).

The summer crowds may get most of the attention. However, with 14 million state park visits a year in Iowa, it's a 12-month season.

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page