Eagle Point Park

When we asked what we had to see before leaving Dubuque, IA, everyone—family, friends, and locals—told us Eagle Point Park was a must. They were absolutely right. Even though it was a bit chilly, we bundled up in our hoodies and set out to enjoy the fall foliage, and it did not disappoint. The scenery was gorgeous, and I especially loved a spot where the parking lot curved beautifully around a mature tree. The views were stunning from every angle. We arrived just as a barge was approaching, and it was fascinating to watch the barge and tugboat maneuver through the dam. We captured some great photos of the entire process. To top it all off, three eagles circled the area almost the entire time we were there. Twice they flew so close overhead it felt like we could almost reach out and touch them. It was an experience I will always remember.

One of my favorite parks in the world. Not kidding. What a wonderful gem overlooking the Great Mississippi and the Lock and Dam. Views of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Gorgeous!! Well maintained with very nice shelters and picnic areas.

Great views of Mississippi River with a beautiful park. Plenty of space to walk and enjoy nature at a surprisingly low cost to enter. Well worth the stop and experience.

This park is worth a visit anytime I'm in the area. Amazing views, eagles, and the woods are filled with the happiest songbirds. Today it seemed like dozens of Orioles flying amongst the many large trees here. I enjoy watching the river flow downstream, hearing its power over the dam. I'm going to have to have a picnic here someday soon. I swear I've seen some of this park in my dreams, I guess that tells you how magical it is.

Great River views including a navigation dam and lock complex. There is also an interesting complex of pavilions built by the CCC in the prairie style on the way up to the bluff.

Must visit! Whether your looking for a great spot to take the family or even get a great view and relax...this place is so peaceful! This place has anything for the kids to stay busy, or picnic spots for anyone. You can even rent shelters for parties/get-togethers! It cost $1.00 for entry...but worth every penny! Highly recommended!!

Beautiful park with shelters, rental spaces, walking paths and gorgeous views.

Huge, beautiful park with many areas to hold events, many playgrounds, and gorgeous views of the Mississippi. Entrance was only $1.

Absolutely amazing view of the Mississippi River Valley flew my drone over the river and took some pictures like no other it's definitely a must see for Dubuque Iowa

Traveling the river and staying in Dubuque overnight. Anxious to visit the park because all the positive reviews. Everything says it's open. (looking at you Yelp) ITS CLOSED. SEASONAL! Thank goodness there's lots of history to find in the oldest Iowa town. The one star is for all the review sights that don't check details.

My husband and I really enjoyed this state park. There were a lot of spots to overlook the Mississippi River and pretty sights. Also, they had a bunch of parks for our baby to play in, giving her something fun to do. There isn't an entrance fee, but you do have to pay a donation to park. We went on a Sunday early in the morning and there was almost no one there. It was super easy to find parking. The trails are clearly marked, but you don't go off path and everything is easy to walk; at least the trails we went on. Some were uphill and some were downhill, but we were able to have our stroller. Overall, it was a nice little stop from Galena and enjoyed ourselves.

Beautiful, well maintained. Two playgrounds and a small splash area. Lots of grilling areas and shelters.

Visiting Galena and was able to enjoy some of the parks there with my dog. Came to Eagle point and was told at the gate "dogs had to remain in the vehicle at all times". Very disappointing IOWA! beautiful park, Lots of grass areas for dogs to enjoy but instead we drove through it.

Beautiful, spectacular views every season of the year. Great park for long walks. The shelters are fantastic for events and gatherings. My kids love the fish pond in the summer!

Gorgeous open park adjoining the Mississippi River, with views of Illinois and Wisconsin. A few pavilions are available for events (call ahead to secure a spot. A few weddings were spotted here when we visited in September of 2020. A perfect place to be socially distant and the breeze keeps you safe. Win win! Small entry fee, don't park at first lot you see, drive all the way in to determine where you'd like to park, unless you really like to walk a lot! Open air theatre is small and kids can "act out" their dreams if no show is running.

Came here one morning and loved the view. You can see Illinois and Wisconsin from the Iowa border. We watched several barges go in and out of the lock and dam. Could spend hours here walking the trails and taking in the view. There is plenty of parking around the park and there are tons of shelters. When we were here there were several being set up for events.

Another beautiful Iowa park. Take $1 to get into the park and it's totally worth it. This is a well kept, beautiful park. Many places for someone to rent to have a reunion or get together. Some are tucked away in the a little hideaway, some are big and fancy. We stopped to check out a "cabin" that has a nice look out. We did comment that the trees are hindering what would be an amazing view hidden behind the cabinat a bench you can chill at. We made our way up to the look outs. Watched the boats on the lock for a bit and then found ourselves out at the fish pond. How cool this was. A man made pond full of koi fish. We watched them for awhile before finally deciding to head out. What a beautiful park. I'd be here a lot if I lived closer. People just reading on the over look and relaxing on the benches. Oh yea!

Hello to all the Fall Beauty...doing a day trip to Debuque needs to include a visit to this park. The winding drive alone is worth the trip...tree canopy in iowa is a rare treet. On this day it was overcast but the light casting through the trees was spectacular. Got lucky this trip as the trees were in full color and just starting to drop some pedals, the yellow hue was my favorite...this is a great photo shoot location and maybe some time we can come when it's a little warmer and have a picnic. The Shelter and Obseritory buildings are true Prairie School and fit right in with the Landscape...The views are nice too.

When you're looking for a place that provides spectaular views, picnic areas and a fish pond - look no further! We got a tip about Eagle Point from a friend in IC and we were totally blown away with what we found. The entry fee to the park was $1 and though I was sad to part w/ Mr. Washington, it was more than worth it! Upon driving in, you're greeted by a number of lodges, eating areas and a large parking lot - do not be so quick to stop my friend, the true treasure is ahead! For the next mile or so you wind through some parking lots and through the forest until you get to a bend where a number of turn offs exist and showcase some of the most spectacular views of the river and foliage that we've ever seen! We found a couple small turnoffs where we saw expansive views of the river, a number of bridges and a stunning display of the leaves turning the colors of fall - made for some incredible pictures! This is one park that is well worth going through, be it to see the leaves change, to BBQ or just to hang out. It' s a gem and one you shouldn't miss.

Beautiful views of the river. Easy access without much walking. Make sure to stop at eagle lookout at the top to see the eagles soaring high above the river. We spent about an hour watching the barges go through the lock at the dam.

We had an amazing time looking for geocaches and exploring the area that had rock made buildings around it. Such beautiful scenery over the river bluffs and a surprise koi pond with mini waterfall. They had amazingly wide trails and it was very clean. We were happy to pay the $1 to get in after we tried a few local trails and were not very impressed. We will be coming back to Eagle Point Park again!

Nice koi pond and great walking trails. Good venue for events as well. My husband and I love it!

One of my favorite places in Dubuque. The park offers a beautiful view of the Mississippi, and at the right time of year, you will often see bald-headed eagles (for those of a more mechanical bent, you can also watch barges passing through Lock and Dam No. 11). There are several pavillions which were strongly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and are striking in their own right. There's also a wading pool for the kids, horseshoe pits for the adults, and a small amphiteater for summer concerts. You can reserve the pavillions ahead of time through the city park department. There's a minimal entrance fee if you drive into the park at the south entrance, but if you drive to the north end, you can walk in for free.

On our way through IA, we decided to make a lunch stop here. Admission is VERY reasonable (only $1 for cars) and it's well worth it. The gentleman at the entrance provided us a park map and explained the roads and suggested stops. Definitely a worthwhile visit -- we stopped multiple times and spent about 30 minutes here.

My lady friend and I originally planned on driving around the park and get a quick view of the Mississippi River. We ended up spending over 2 hours here. Only $1.00 to get in is a great deal! This is an awesome park to go for a long walk. While viewing the river from up high on a bluff. And what a view it is! A lot of places to have a picnic. I was also impressed by how clean the restrooms were kept. We so happened to come here on my 46th birthday. I told her this is exactly where I want to celebrate my 50th birthday. I plan on making return visits before then.

Very spacious and good for parties. It can be very scenic for a bike ride or a run. Definitely recommend to look at the Mississippi River at the dam.

This is the piece of Midwestern paradise that I chose to get married to my husband on September 14, 2013. High up on a bluff sits the park overlooking the Mississippi River and Lock & Dam Number 11, with a tri-state view of Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa territories. The park offers various Wright prairie-style architecture pavilions built in the 1930s using native materials, craftsmanship and designs. Don't miss my favorite structure, the Promenade Bridge and connecting Bridge East (see images here: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/eagle-point-park-dubuque?select=ySGBFrNZ1Cyu030bV7WQXw#zRFdDEKzzBxz-5QZKupE2A). The Terrance Room, Veranda Rooms, Indian Room and Bridge Complex were all built by the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.), a program employing millions of unemployed people to carry out public works projects during the Great Depression. As for now, you can rent any of the pavilions online for your specific event at a very reasonable price (http://www.cityofdubuque.org/index.aspx?NID=453)! We chose the East Riverfront Pavilion for the perfect views during our vows, but there are several great options. It's picture-worthy to pay a visit to the northern section of the park there is a serene lily pond made of local limestone with hungry coy fish and a waterfall. Before entering the park's main entrance, you pass the mid-Victorian Mathias Ham House constructed in 1839 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 19, 1976. The park also offers many amenities picnic tables, barbecue grills, six tennis courts, spray pool, playgrounds, horseshoe courts, a band shell, and restroom facilities. The main entrance charges a whopping $1 fee per car (waived for Iowa residents). If you pass the main entrance, continue straight on Shiras Avenue and turn right on Eagle Point Drive, it takes you up through a residential area to a rear park entrance without paying a dime. If the park is closed for the season, you can still sneak in through this route. Although I must admit the $1 fee is well worth a visit. If you're more adventurous or athletic, ride a bicycle or hike from downtown along the paved Trolley Line Trail to the park. A streetcar once served the park in 1912, but has since been replaced with the trail. No dogs are allowed in the park either. Supposedly you can spot eagles flying during certain times of the years (I think February and March)...hasn't happened for me during my several visits. Established in 1909, the park is just over 100 years old, and it's magic still continues.

We drove up the way our GPS took us, and found the gates locked and a big "closed" sign. Heads up to Dubuque travelers, everything outdoorsy is closed during April. Wimps! So with iron gates locked, I turned the car around. About a block back towards downtown, I noticed a paved sidewalk winding up the hill. I suggested we walk it a bit, so I parked the car on the street. We took this path all the way into the park and walked the whole thing. So use that trick!! This is a more paved park than I anticipated, no hiking, but it would be good for kids to play or a family picnic.

We only had two days in Dubuque. I planned to spend an entire afternoon here with our toddler, playing on the playground, enjoying the splash pool, and taking in the views. The splash pad was closed (nothing on the website about it) and there was trash all over the place. The views are spectacular for sure, but if I'd known about the splash pool and trash, I would have planned our visit someplace else.

Beautiful views of the river and lock and damn #11. A fun fish pond for the kids. Play areas all around. Clean facilities.

Eagle Point Park is one of the most striking City parks I've visited in the Midwest. The views of the Mississippi and Lock & Dam are breathtaking in any weather. Most times of the year eagles and other birds are on view nesting near the park, along the river, and diving for fish. The park pavilions are most excellent, although you do need to reserve many of them due to popularity. Several of the pavilions were designed by Frank Lynn Wright's apprentices, and have wonderful spaces for gatherings. During good weather and weekends, the park is quite busy. There are several great playgrounds for kids to play and meet new friends, and park area is well maintained and landscaped with beautiful mature oak trees. Even though it is up on the bluff, it is a great destination and location for running and biking, in addition to the hiking. Tip: During the summer you can park downtown and enjoy the sights, restaurants, and shops there, and then catch the free historic trolley to and from the Park.

Beautiful park!! Great place to view the dam/locks from. Watched the River paddle boat go through the locks which was exciting. The park was clean & safe. Definitely recommend visiting!

The view is amazing from this historic masterpiece set on the Mississippi. Able to view the river, to Downtown Dubuque it is quite beautiful. If you are looking for a nice place for a picnic, or a walk with that significant other, then this place is awesome in the winter time. The only real downfall is that the bathrooms tend to be a bit horrid, and other people tend to trash the pavilions. $1.00 to get in.

Beautiful park with views overlooking the Mississippi River. There's a spot where you can see 3 different states but with all the tall fencing it is tough to get a good picture. No eagles this time of year but I'm sure they would be neat to see. There were lots of benches and it would be a great spot to bring lunch to enjoy with the view. We went on a Saturday and there were plenty of families having picnics and kids playing. Well worth the $1 entrance fee.

Went here over MLK weekend with my family.. Gorgeous park to stroll through.. I didn't see any wintering eagles as hoped but it was so gorgeous along the river Must stop if you enjoy nature. 20 minute drive from Galena! Main gates were closed but if you go up the road a bit we found a way in.. Lots of people jogging and walking. Just ask a strolling local how to get in.

Some of the most spectacular views of the river and foliage that we've ever seen! No one is there in the winter, but the birds, the sky and God.

Great views of the Mississippi River. Lots of parking, picnic tables and shaded areas. Also a handful of nicely appointed pavillions for a public park. Great place to host a graduation or family reunion. Bring a frisbee, binoculars or bubbles for the kids.

For some strange reason this park is not open on every Saturday. We went there today and it was closed at 10AM on a beautiful April Saturday. I think I saw somewhere that it isn't open until May, which is odd since Eagle viewing is best in February and March (we were hoping to see some still in late April since it has been cold). LAME! On the way back downtown we came across another park off Kerper(I think that's the name of the street) by a marina. It was very nice, had a great path along the river and a nice playground for the kids. And it was FREE!

Only $1 to enter. Has music on certain nights at the band shell. Great paths. Attended a party here with a shelter. Large. Beautiful.

New to the Midwest, this is one of my favorite places near Dubuque, IA. The view from this park is amazing, whether it is in the middle of the winter or the heat of the summer. You can see the barges pass through the Lock and Dam. The park is very well manicured and the bathrooms are clean. There are a ton of things to do...everything from horseshoes, small sprinkler area, several pavillions, swing sets, binoculars to view the Mississippi and a ton of BBQs and picnic tables scattered around the park. Its very family friendly. Pets are not allowed and there is a $1 per car entrance fee. The wildlife can be seen and heard from all areas of the park.

We came across this park on tripadvisor and knew we had to make the effort to stop by when visiting Dubuque. Coming from Chicago, this park is nothing like what we've ever seen before. The entrance fee is only $1 per vehicle and the park is very large in size. There are numerous areas where families can sit and grill, and you can even rent private pavilions for larger groups. The views from the top are breathtaking and you can easily spend an entire day here if you have the time to do so. We will be returning in future visits and hope to have the time to grill. This place is definitely a must-see for anyone visiting the area!