Bellevue State Park (Iowa)
Encyclopedia
Bellevue State Park is a state park
of Iowa
, USA, 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. Route 52
(The Great River Road), atop a 300 feet (91.4 m) limestone bluff. The Dyas Unit is 2 miles (3.2 km) farther south on U.S. 52.
Bellevue State Park offers high bluffs with scenic views of the Mississippi River amidst 788 acres (3.2 km²) of timbered walking trails, a unique butterfly sanctuary
as well as an enclosed nature center.
The Dyas Unit comprises about 4 miles (6.4 km) 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 No. 12
. Pileated woodpeckers
are occasionally seen in isolated areas.
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.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, USA, along the banks of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
just south of Bellevue
Bellevue, Iowa
Bellevue is a city in Jackson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,350 at the 2000 census. The city lies along the Mississippi River , next to Bellevue State Park....
.
The park lies in two separate tracts. The Nelson Unit is at the immediate south edge of Bellevue on U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
(The Great River Road), atop a 300 feet (91.4 m) limestone bluff. The Dyas Unit is 2 miles (3.2 km) farther south on U.S. 52.
Bellevue State Park offers high bluffs with scenic views of the Mississippi River amidst 788 acres (3.2 km²) of timbered walking trails, a unique butterfly sanctuary
Butterfly gardening
Butterfly gardening is a growing school of gardening, specifically wildlife gardening, that is aimed at creating an environment that attracts butterflies, as well as certain moths, such as those in the Hemaris genus. Butterfly gardening is often aimed at inviting those butterflies and moths to lay...
as well as an enclosed nature center.
Picnicking/shelters
Picnickers at the Nelson Unit can enjoy 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.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.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 leads past an old limestone rock quarry.The Dyas Unit comprises about 4 miles (6.4 km) of foot trails, scenic overlooks, a stream with beaver dams, and aquatic and other wildlife. In winter bald eagles
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
concentrate to feed near the open waters below Lock and Dam No. 12
Lock and Dam No. 12
Lock and Dam No. 12 is a lock and dam located on the Upper Mississippi River at Bellevue, Iowa, United States. The movable portion of the dam starts at the locks adjacent to the Iowa shore and is long, consisting of seven tainter gates and three roller gates...
. Pileated woodpeckers
Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker is a very large North American woodpecker, almost crow-sized, inhabiting deciduous forests in eastern North America, the Great Lakes, the boreal forests of Canada, and parts of the Pacific coast. It is also the largest woodpecker in America.Adults are long, and weigh...
are occasionally seen in isolated areas.
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.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.