Bellevue State Park (Iowa)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bellevue State Park | |
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| Iowa State Park | |
| Named for: Bellevue, Iowa | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Jackson |
| Location | |
| - coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Managed by | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Nearest city | Bellevue, Iowa |
  Location of Bellevue State Park in Iowa
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| Website : Bellevue State Park | |
Bellevue State Park is a Iowa state park in Jackson County, Iowa in the United States. It is along the banks of the Mississippi River just south of Bellevue.
The park lies in two separate tracts. The Nelson Unit is at the immediate south edge of Bellevue on U.S. 52 (The Great River Road), atop a 300 foot limestone bluff. The Dyas Unit is two miles further south on U.S. 52.
Bellevue State Park offers high bluffs with scenic views of the Mississippi River amidst 770 acres of timbered walking trails, a unique butterfly sanctuary as well as an enclosed nature center.
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[edit] Picnicking/Shelters
Picnickers at the Nelson Unit can enjoy beautiful views of the Mississippi River. Open picnic shelters may be reserved for a fee. The lodge is available on a reservation basis for wedding receptions and other family events. The lodge and open shelters may be reserved online through the park reservation system.
[edit] Camping
The Dyas Unit has 46 camping units (31 with electrical hookups), modern rest rooms, showers and a sanitary dumping station. Advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are available for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis. Camping is not allowed in the Nelson Unit.
[edit] Trails
The Nelson Unit has four trails that provide a variety of hiking opportunities. One trail leads to a scenic overlook of the Mississippi, one winds past Indian burial mounds, one passes through a restored prairie and a "Garden Sanctuary for Butterflies", and one takes you by an old limestone rock quarry.
The Dyas Unit comprises about 4 miles of foot trails, scenic overlooks, a stream with beaver dams, and aquatic and other wildlife. In winter, bald eagles concentrate to feed near the open waters below Lock and Dam 12. Pileated woodpeckers are occasionally seen in isolated areas.
[edit] South Bluff Nature Center
The South Bluff Nature Center in the Nelson Unit contains displays on the plants, animals and geology of Bellevue State Park. The center is open seasonally and offers a variety of programs in the summer. As of this writing, it is open 1:00 to 4:00 pm Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, and by appointment. Hours may vary depending on volunteer and staff availability.
The "Garden Sanctuary for Butterflies" is located nearby. This unique area contains over one hundred separate plots, each featuring plants which provide food and habitat for butterflies. A network of pathways allows visitors to walk through the garden and see a wide variety of butterflies as well as enjoy the flowers and the pond in the center.
