South Entrance, Mines of Spain Recreation Area

A fantastic (huge) park with a variety of trails and environs. We took the road less traveled on the Eagle Scout trail (I can't remember the exact name at the moment). It's the first parking area in the south entrance and you take a different trail to get there. The local guide page recommended this trail because so many fewer people walk it. I agree! It starts in a prairie and winds its way into a forest, along the river, and off a less beaten path to the railway tracks along the river (beware these are active freight tracks!). Bring plenty of water and apply insect spray. If it's rained recently, you'll run into a few muddy spots in the woods. You'll likely see birds, millipedes, toads, spiders, and maybe even salamanders. It's not an overly exertive walk, but there are grades to it. Definitely worth it for the solitude.

Gorgeous trail. Spectacular scenery, well kept

A beautiful park for a hike! The trail we chose was not too difficult but had nice scenery. We'd love to come back to explore further soon.

Walked the 6 mile Eagle Scout loop this morning. It was well maintained 2-track. The grassy portions were mowed. Mid-August morning and no mosquitoes. Beautiful scenery.

Beautiful park, great hike

Great place for a trail run.

A Dubuque must-see (more like must-experience) for the nature lovers, fitness-minded, exploratory, history buffs, and the bring the kids, too! Walking trails, barbeque pits, an educational center, canoe launch, decent fishing... All easily accessible. What are you waiting for? Get off your duffs and go see it!

Mines of strange? Great place as usual but.....Took my 12 year old son fishing there today and everything was great except the boudoir photo shoot taking place next to us. We were there fishing and this lady and photographer show up and she strips down into a sheer "cat suit" and begins posing provocatively as the photographer tells her to crawl like a cat. Im all about self expression and to each their own but not in front of my 12 year old. Needless to say, we walked away. She later apologized which tells me she knew it was inappropriate...so they could've at least given me a heads up. Never a dull moment in good ol Dubuque.