5/3/2006
Events During State Parks Free Camping Weekend

DES MOINES - From wildflowers to bobcats, the variety of free programs offered in Iowa state parks during free camping weekend are as different as Pikes Peak is to Black Hawk state parks.

"These programs are just another feature available to our visitors and campers during the free camping weekend. We have programs throughout the summer and fall that accent the features unique in the park and offer our visitors something else, in addition to the usual park experiences," said Kevin Szcodronski, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' state parks bureau.

For more details, go to www.iowadnr.com and click on state parks, then on events calendar on the left side navigation column under Recreation Opportunities.

FRIDAY, MAY 5
Black Hawk State Park, Marvelous Mothers, 8 to 9 p.m.
Elk Rock State Park, Cooking and Camping Program
Red Haw State Park, Fish and Fishing, 7 p.m.
Volga River Recreation Area, State Parks Reservation System, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 6
Beeds Lake State Park, Wildlife Identification, 1 to 3 p.m., at Beeds Lake Lodge
Black Hawk State Park, Prairie Pothole Region question and answer session, evening,
Bellevue State Park, Butterfly Gardening, 1 to 4 p.m., in the Butterfly Garden
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, Free Kids Fishing Derby, 9 a.m. to Noon, at Fish Pier Point
Cedar Rock State Park, Candle Light Walk, 7 to 10 p.m., the annual spring open house
Clear Lake State Park, Trumpeter Swan program, 4 p.m., possible swan release, weather permitting
Dolliver State Park, Night Hike, 7 p.m., at the main picnic area across from the playground
Elk Rock State Park, Snake Program, 4 p.m.
George Wyth State Park, Who is Watching Who?, 9 a.m. at the shower building, bring binoculars and comfortable shoes
Green Valley State Park, Wild Cats in Iowa, program will be in the campground
Honey Creek State Park, Morel Mushrooms, 8 p.m., north shower buildings
Lacey Keosauqua State Park, Fish in Iowa, 9:30 a.m., in the campground
Lacey Keosauqua State Park, Wetlands and Wildlife, 10:15 a.m., in the campground
Lake Macbride State Park, Bird Program, mid morning, at the playground in the modern campground
Lake Keomah State Park, Bobcats and River Otters, 7 p.m., in the park
Lake Manawa State Park, Parks Reservation System, 1 p.m., in the campgrounds
Ledges State Park, Prairie Planting Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the gazebo east of the campground entrance, lunch will be provided
McIntosh Woods State Park, Swans and Furbearers, 5 p.m., in the campground
Palisades-Kepler State Park, Nature Hike, 10 a.m., at the campground entrance
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, Build Nesting Boxes, Camping Care, Fishing programs, see park staff for details
Pikes Peak State Park, Native American Program, 6 p.m.
Pilot Knob State Park, Wildflower Scavenger Hunt, all day Saturday and results on Sunday
Rock Creek State Park, Snakes, 2 p.m.
Rock Creek State Park, Owls, 6:30 p.m.
Stone State Park, Scavenger Hunt, see park staff for details
Viking Lake State Park, Viking Lake Past, Present and Future, 4 p.m.
Walnut Woods State Park, Bird Watching Hike, 7:30 a.m., at the Bird Observation Area
Waubonsie State Park, Camp Wa-Shawtee Addition, see staff for details

SUNDAY, MAY 7
Bellevue State Park, Butterfly Gardening, 1 to 4 p.m., in the Butterfly Garden
Lake Manawa State Park, Volunteer Clean up Day, 1 p.m., at shelter #5, prizes awarded to volunteers at 4 p.m.
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, Build Nesting Boxes, Camping Care, Fishing programs, see park staff for details
Stone State Park, Scavenger Hunt, see park staff for details

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