State Parks Near Dubuque, Iowa
18 state park units lie within 50 miles of Dubuque, including 12 parks across the line in Wisconsin and Illinois. The closest is Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, about 4 mi southeast of town. 5 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Mines of Spain State Recreation Area4 mi southeast
- Within 25 miles
- 5of 18 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 123 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 3pets allowed
State parks near Dubuque, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Dubuque; driving distance is usually longer.
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Things to do include hunting in season, wildlife watching, and hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 15.1 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Mines of Spain State Recreation Area →Fenley State Recreation Area
Fenley State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Grant County, about 6 miles northeast of Dubuque.
Hours, fees and rules for Fenley State Recreation Area →Nelson Dewey State Park
Popular activities here are canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, fishing, and hiking. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Nelson Dewey State Park →Bellevue State Park
Popular activities here are hunting in season, wildlife watching, and hiking. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites with full hookups, group camping, and showers. There are also lodge rooms for rent.
Hours, fees and rules for Bellevue State Park →Belmont Mound State Park
The park supports hunting in season, hiking, and picnicking. The official site lists about 2.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Belmont Mound State Park →Maquoketa Caves State Park
Visitors come for historic sites and hiking. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites with electric hookups, group camping, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Maquoketa Caves State Park →Pecatonica State Trail
Visitors come for off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, and biking.
Hours, fees and rules for Pecatonica State Trail →Apple River Canyon State Park
For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Apple River Canyon State Park →Mississippi Palisades State Park
In Carroll County, about 4 miles northwest of Savanna, Mississippi Palisades State Park covers about 2,500 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Mississippi Palisades State Park →Wyalusing State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, biking, and fishing. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Wyalusing State Park →Wapsipinicon State Park
Things to do include golf, historic sites, boating, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites with full hookups, group camping, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Wapsipinicon State Park →Yellowstone Lake State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and biking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Yellowstone Lake State Park →Pikes Peak State Park
Popular activities here are hiking. Its trail network totals roughly 11 miles, according to the park. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites with electric hookups, group camping, and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Pikes Peak State Park →Backbone State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Backbone State Park →Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area
The official site lists about 8.5 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area →Governor Dodge State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, and swimming.
Hours, fees and rules for Governor Dodge State Park →Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, swimming, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 8 miles, according to the park.
Hours, fees and rules for Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Dubuque
- Nelson Dewey State Park 23 mi northwest · Campground listed
- Bellevue State Park 25 mi southeast · Campground listed
- Maquoketa Caves State Park 26 mi south · Campground listed
- Apple River Canyon State Park 34 mi east · Campground listed
- Mississippi Palisades State Park 37 mi southeast · Campground listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Dubuque
- Bellevue State Park 25 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Wapsipinicon State Park 41 mi southwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Backbone State Park 43 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Dubuque
- Wyalusing State Park 39 mi northwest · Pets allowed under park rules
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area 45 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 48 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
Swimming near Dubuque
- Yellowstone Lake State Park 41 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Backbone State Park 43 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Governor Dodge State Park 46 mi northeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area 48 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Dubuque
- Mines of Spain State Recreation Area 4 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Nelson Dewey State Park 23 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Bellevue State Park 25 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Belmont Mound State Park 26 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Maquoketa Caves State Park 26 mi south · Hiking trails listed
+ 7 more in the list above
Fishing near Dubuque
- Nelson Dewey State Park 23 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Wyalusing State Park 39 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Yellowstone Lake State Park 41 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Backbone State Park 43 mi west · Fishing listed
- Governor Dodge State Park 46 mi northeast · Fishing listed
+ 1 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Dubuque
What is the closest state park to Dubuque?
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area is the closest, about 4 miles southeast of Dubuque in a straight line. Next are Fenley State Recreation Area and Nelson Dewey State Park.
How many state parks are near Dubuque?
18 state park units are within 50 miles, and 5 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Dubuque have camping?
12 parks list camping, the nearest being Nelson Dewey State Park, Bellevue State Park and Maquoketa Caves State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Dubuque?
Yes, at 3 parks, including Wyalusing State Park, Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area and Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Dubuque?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Clinton, IA51 mi southeast
- Near Monroe, WI55 mi east
- Near Freeport, IL57 mi east
- Near Cedar Rapids, IA62 mi southwest
- Near Davenport, IA65 mi south
- Near East Moline, IL70 mi south
- Near Iowa City, IA72 mi southwest
- Near Madison, WI76 mi northeast
Or see all Iowa state parks, Wisconsin state parks, Illinois state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.