Bellevue State Park, IA

Bellevue State Park, IA Bellevue State Park is located just south of Bellevue, IA in the bluffs along the Mississippi river. The park has camping, hiking and many beautiful views.

Page managed by the Friends of Bellevue State Park. Bellevue State Park is broken into two different tracts. The Nelson unit is located just south of Bellevue, IA atop a limestone bluff, while the Dyas unit is located 2 miles further south, down highway 52. Both units host multiple hiking trails that lead to scenic overlooks of the Mississippi river. If you get tired from walking there are various

picnicking areas, which are great for the whole family. What makes the Nelson unit so unique is its butterfly sanctuary, which brings in over 60 different species of butterflies from throughout the state. This unit also has a lodge that can be rented out for special events. If you feel like wanting to stick around, the Dyas unit has 52 different camping sites that have electric hookups or non-electric lots for the average camper. Reservations for camping sites can be made online or just stop in to the Dyas Unit to see if any spots are open.

Hi!My name is Kayleese Thoma and I am Bellevue State Park's Summer Naturalist! I hope you will find some programs this s...
05/14/2026

Hi!
My name is Kayleese Thoma and I am Bellevue State Park's Summer Naturalist! I hope you will find some programs this summer to join me at. Be on the lookout for the first one, which will be posted tomorrow afternoon!

Here are some fun facts about me!
-I am from Dubuque and graduated from Senior High School.
-Currently studying Environmental Science and Education at the University of Dubuque.
-Recently I went to the Galapagos Islands (see pictures below)
-In my free time, I enjoy puzzles, hiking, and learning new things!

She's back!Our beloved Peregrine Falcon has returned and is hiding something special.
05/01/2026

She's back!
Our beloved Peregrine Falcon has returned and is hiding something special.

You make me (pere)grin(e) 🥰❤️Happy Valentines Day❤️- your friends at Bellevue State Park
02/14/2026

You make me (pere)grin(e) 🥰

❤️Happy Valentines Day❤️

- your friends at Bellevue State Park

😊
02/12/2026

😊

You know what's prettier than sparklers and fireworks..... flowers, here are a few you might see this weekend if you vis...
07/04/2025

You know what's prettier than sparklers and fireworks..... flowers, here are a few you might see this weekend if you visit the Butterfly Garden 😊

Our favorite view 🥰
05/26/2025

Our favorite view 🥰

🔴⚪️🔵 🔴⚪️🔵🔴⚪️🔵 🔴⚪️🔵Perfect day for a hike to see our red white and blue flowers 😊Pictured are royal catchfly, eastern blu...
05/26/2025

🔴⚪️🔵 🔴⚪️🔵🔴⚪️🔵 🔴⚪️🔵

Perfect day for a hike to see our red white and blue flowers 😊

Pictured are royal catchfly, eastern bluestar and oxeye daisy

💜 Who's favorite color is purple? 🙋‍♀️Right now in the garden, you can be surrounded by all of these beautiful purple bl...
05/25/2025

💜 Who's favorite color is purple? 🙋‍♀️

Right now in the garden, you can be surrounded by all of these beautiful purple blooms.

Pictures are of wood sage, dames rocket, large-leaved lupine, wild indigo, giant allium.

We have been patiently waiting for more flowers to give us a show and they haven't disappointed!Flower 3 of 40 in our ce...
05/24/2025

We have been patiently waiting for more flowers to give us a show and they haven't disappointed!

Flower 3 of 40 in our celebration efforts of 40 years of the butterfly garden is .....columbine!

Native to the state of Iowa (Aquilegia canadensis), this plant adds a pop of color to any garden or partially shaded space. The flowers are a droopy bell shape and attract a variety of pollinators especially the hummingbird who use their long tongues to reach the sweet necter.

The garden showcases a few different varieties of color that can commonly be found such as red, purple and blue.

Stay tuned this holiday weekend as we have a few more flowers we will be highlighting!

05/23/2025

BABY FALCON BANDING VIDEO

💙🐣 BABY NEWS🐣❤️We are beyond excited to introduce Bellevue State Park's newest additions, Crag and Petra! Aging around ...
05/23/2025

💙🐣 BABY NEWS🐣❤️

We are beyond excited to introduce Bellevue State Park's newest additions, Crag and Petra!

Aging around 18 days old this cute male and female pair were removed for banding and returned to their nest high on the bluff of the Nelson Unit today May 23rd, 2025. Be sure to keep an eye in the sky over the next few weeks as these little ones will be practicing their flight.

Descriptions of bands used and ID tags are in videos in separate post.

We would like to thank Amy and Dave from the Raptor Resource Project who are the falcon experts and made banding these two possible. We also thank Patrick from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for his assistance in our first successful banding since 2016.

If you are interested in learning more about Iowa Raptors visit the Raptor Resource website at: raptorresource.org for wonderful information and live videos of nests.

Address

24668 Highway 52
Bellevue, IA
52031

Opening Hours

Monday 4am - 10:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 4am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(563) 872-4019

Website

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