(Wahpeton)– State campgrounds in the Iowa Great Lakes are getting ready for the annual weekend of free camping May 2nd through the fourth. The weekend of free camping at state campgrounds is designed to encourage people to visit those areas. The weekend is free to residents only. Out-of-state residents will still have to pay.
Dave Stoever, a lakes area park ranger, says Gull Point, Emerson Bay and Marble Beach state campgrounds in the lakes area will be participating.
Free interpretive programs will also be available at those campgrounds that weekend. A schedule of activities follows:
SATURDAY, MAY 3rd:
GULL POINT STATE PARK
8:00-10:00 a.m.: Prairie Lakes Audubon Society Bird Hike led by Lee Schoenewe of Spencer. Meet at parking lot on the west side of entrance drive at the start of the nature trail. Bring boots, rain gear and field glasses.
1:30 p.m.: “The Importance of Wetlands to Wildlife” by Iowa DNR Wildlife Management Biologist Chris LaRue. Meet at the Gull Point open shelter north of the campground showerhouse.
7:00 p.m.: “Lewis & Clark-Early American Naturalists”. Join DNR Park Ranger Ron Williams near the campground check-in station.
EMERSON BAY STATE RECREATION AREA
10:00 a.m.: “Spring Comes To The Woodlands” a guided nature hike with Dickinson county Intern Naturalist Dorrie Frank.
1:30 p.m.: “Herpetology of the Iowa Great Lakes Region” presented by Barbara Tagami, Dickinson County Naturalist. Meet at the campground check-in station.
MARBLE BEACH STATE RECREATION AREA
10:00 a.m.: “Herpetology of the Iowa Great Lakes Region”. Presented by Dickinson County Naturalist Barbara Tagomi. Meet near the campground showerhouse.
1:30 p.m.: “Spring Comes to the Woodlands” presented by intern Naturalist Dorrie Frank.
7:00 p.m.: “Things that go HOOO In The Night”–presented by Naturalist Barbara Tagomi. Meet near the campground showerhouse.
SPIRIT LAKE FISH HATCHERY
8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.: Open visitation of the hatchery.
4:30 p.m.: A hatchery tour conducted by technician Bob Benedict.
SUNDAY, MAY 4th:
SPIRIT LAKE FISH HATCHERY
8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.: Open visitation of the hatchery.
4:30 p.m.: A hatchery tour conducted by Technician Bob Benedict.
ELINOR BEDELL STATE PARK
1:30 p.m.: Enjoy Iowa’s newest state park and hear about its history and future plans. Join Iowa DNR Park Ranger Ron Williams for a trail hike and facility tour. Meet at the park shelter house.
