Dubuque: Trails, Nature and Culture

The Fenelon Place Elevator rises 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place. It is 296 feet long, and the ride offers views of downtown Dubuque, the Mississippi River and three states. The ride thus connects two specific landmarks with a sweeping view of the landscape.

Culture and Orientation

The main campus of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium comprises three buildings: the Diamond Jo National River Center, the Fred W. Woodward Freight House and the William Woodward Mississippi River Center. A walkway along Dubuque’s historic Ice Harbor connects them. Visitors exploring the campus can therefore consider the three named buildings as a connected complex.

Church and local history also offer reasons to take a closer look. St. Francis Xavier Church was elevated to the status of a minor basilica in 1956 by a special proclamation of Pope Pius XII. Group tours of the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier can be arranged by appointment in advance. For a group visit, scheduling an appointment is therefore part of the planning.

At Crystal Lake Cave, guided tours bring together nature, science, history and adventure. The experience has a different focus from a church or museum visit: here, the cave and the topics covered on the tour take center stage.

The Little Maquoketa River Mounds Preserve combines scenery with information about the area’s history and nature. A trail loops around the protected Indian mounds. Informational signs at the parking lot and on the bluff explain archaeological, geological and natural resources. In the Mines of Spain Recreation Area, the Julien Dubuque Monument stands at the edge of the bluff above Catfish Creek. The area’s history is shaped by Native American–French fur-trading culture and the first documented lead mining by French trader Nicholas Perrot in 1690. The area is designated a National Historic Landmark and has 21 miles of maintained hiking trails.

Trails and Landscapes

Dubuque County has more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails through the landscapes of the Driftless Region. The Heritage Trail is a dedicated route with historic significance: it runs 26 miles along a late-19th-century railroad corridor through Dubuque County. Along the way, it passes through forests, wetlands, small communities and open countryside. Its length, former use as a railroad corridor and changing surroundings give this trail a character distinct from trails in the protected areas.

Swiss Valley Nature Preserve has more than 10 miles of self-guided nature and hiking trails through forest, prairie and wetlands. Groomed cross-country ski trails are available in winter; their use may depend on snow conditions. At New Wine Park, a wooded recreation area on the North Fork of the Maquoketa River and more than two miles of nature trails through densely wooded terrain are another highlight. Camping is also available there, with showers and restrooms. Check the current availability of these facilities before your visit.

For activities on the water, Massey Marina Park provides boat access to Mississippi River Pool 12. Seasonal boat slips are rented at the 30-hectare site; availability may change. This seasonal rental differs from year-round hiking trails: if a boat slip is important to your trip, factor its availability into your plans early.

Seasonal Activities and Trip Planning

The Field of Dreams Movie Site also has different conditions for the field and the house tours. The field is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, subject to weather and possible interruptions for private events. House tours are offered daily during the season; their schedule may change. If you plan to take a tour, check the dates in advance rather than assuming they match the field’s opening hours. The site is just off U.S. Highway 20.

In Dyersville, an annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and an all-day celebration are among the yearly events. Since dates and programs may change, it is worth checking the information for your travel dates. When planning your hotel stay, it helps to first identify activities whose season, date or availability could determine your stay. This lets you consider culture, hiking, cross-country skiing, boat access and events according to their individual conditions, rather than assuming there is one ideal time to visit.

Discover more destinations: Dubuque, Dyersville, Peosta, Cascade, Grundy County, Calhoun County, Fremont County, Howard County.

For the broader travel overview: Iowa.