Beautiful and extensive trails over a surprisingly large area, many along or near pretty waterways…read more....there are several well marked parking lots near the trail heads. We did get lost trying to find the nature center which didn't seem connected to the part of the park we first arrived in...it seems there are two separate entrances? Fortunately we were near the cool castle-like tower, the Julien Dubuque Monument, which offers stunning panoramic views of the Mississippi and of the city of Dubuque. Definitely would like to come back for more hiking here!

Mines of Spain is a go to place for me and has been for years. A wonderful scenic outdoor space…read more Great for hiking.

I've been to the park area a few times for family gatherings and the shelters are always very nice…read more This year my mom decided that while the whole family was home for Christmas we would go snowshoeing on the trails out at Swiss Valley Nature Center. Since we had a heat wave and the temperature broke 40 degrees it was a beautiful day to be outside but not really the best snow to snowshoe in. But in the dead of winter, you have to take warm days when you get them. The Nature Center has snowshoes to rent for free. They have two different sizes for adults and I'm guessing they weren't super high quality snowshoes but they worked fine for us. We went on a Saturday and the selection was fairly picked over and we had to have ours back in 2 hours. You can call and reserve the shoes ahead of time and I would highly recommend doing that on the weekends. The trails were well marked and there were quite a few options for trails to take. There are also cross-country ski trails that are groomed if you are into that. The woman helping us at the nature center thought you could rent cross-country skies from Kunert Sports. We picked a hilly route and although I consider myself in-shape I was huffing and puffing going up the steepest climb. The sites were beautiful and very worth it though.

A great place to hike near Dubuque. As the name suggests, the nature preserve is located in a…read morevalley just west of town. There's a nature center at the trailhead, and a campground just down the road. The trails span a variety of habitats, and are long and hilly enough to get your heart rate pumping if you so desire. A nice alternative to the Mines of Spain.

This is a small park, and blink and you'll miss it; a prairies restoration. I don't even know what…read moremade me go down this bit of road because I'm not sure there's a sign (maybe I forgot!). There are paved walking paths for folks to enjoy. I saw, possibly for the first time, a red-winged blackbird. There are some lovely views overlooking Galena. There are restrooms, but they look like slightly higher end port a potties and not washrooms. There's also a picnic table and plenty of parking.

great scenery and ambience with the stream running and different levels of view places to hike…read moreand views are spectacular highly recommend coming here

Nice little state park for an extended weekend. Please note that there are no shower facilities or…read moreflush toilets. Vault style only. The park features two camping areas. We stayed in Canyon Ridge, which is non electric. All 50 sites were spacious and clean. The camp host and a few area residents sold firewood, which was a nice surprise The park has a number of hiking trails that are short, but challenging. Many lead to, or start at the Apple River, so there is plenty to keep kids occupied.

What a hoot! We did their wine and goat hoof it event after staying a few days in Galena…read more You start out trying out Illinois wines. These are from Fergetaboutit Vineyard, and to be blunt, they were the best wines we have tasted in Illinois. If you like wine and have tried wines from France, Spain, Italy or California, yes, I mean that. The "hoof it" part was fun. You get set up with a guide (don't forget to tip the guide) who lets around a dozen goats out of the pen, and you walk with them on a 1.2 mile hike. It's mostly shaded (so shaded that we didn't wear sunscreen, and I don't tan, I scorch, and got NOTHING, so it's pretty shaded. There is poision ivy on the trail, so if you see leaves of three, let them be. The goats are quite affable, but listen to the guide. At the end before they approach the pens (which the goats will run towards) they let you feed the goats with carrots and you have to show the goats you don't have carrots in your hands (two hands up, open) or they will jump on you to get "your carrots." They stop several times. The pace is best described as "sedate" - you'll have a hard time breaking a sweat. Our advice, stick to the path, don't go off into the weeds. Some other things: Pack in, Pack out - they don't have trash cans, so what you bring in, you carry out. You will get a glass for each person who signs up for the wine event (which has the logo on it) as a momento. We got out a little late. The goats all have names, but you don't have to remember them. But you will. Little stinkers. Another tip: Once they get let out of the pen, they have a tendancy to "dump and run" so watch your step, or you'll get some fresh goat crap on your shoes or feet or LEG.

We were staying in Galena to celebrate our anniversary, and enjoyed participating in this unique…read moreand fun excursion. It was about a 15 minute drive from downtown Galena, the end of which is on a somewhat unpaved road. There were about forty goats on our walk, all of which were friendly and seemed to enjoy the walk as much as the people did! Our host offered helpful facts about the land and goats along the way, and there were opportunities to feed, pet and take photos with the goats during the hour+ outing. Two tips: Don't be late, the tours leave right at the scheduled time. And don't wear a colorful long dress - one of the goats nibbled a few holes through my wife's dress. Overall, a memorable experience that really added to our Galena anniversary trip. Highly recommended!

Beautiful view of the Mississippi River. Lots of spaces for a picnic. Lovely tree lined drive into…read morepark. Beautiful wild flowers.

Our stay at the Bellevue State Park has been great (minus the gnats) ... many thanks to our…read morecampground hosts for an impeccably clean shower house and bathroom... very much appreciated! We will be back!

The pond was so fun the food was great loved how they had shower houses for after pond and pool…read morestaff was so friendly 10/10 recommend

Wonderful family-friendly campground! The clubhouse has great food and the staff are very friendly!…read more Plenty of amenities for kids and families!

This is a great park to go to when you drive to famed Eagle Point Park on a Saturday mornings and…read morerealize it is closed. (What is up with that, Dubuque? Seriously!) Anyway, this place is right down the street from that other park, it's free (Unlike that other park), has a great little walk along the Mississippi River including platforms right down on the river, has a nice newish and fun playground for the kids, and also bathrooms (which I'm guessing are open in the summer--they weren't on the last weekend of April). Great place for bird watching by the lock, and to look at what your view would be from Eagle Point Park if it were open. If you are staying at the Port of Dubuque or downtown and its a nice day this is ten minutes away, easy drive, and a nice place to go and stretch your legs and let the kids (or your pup) play.