Mines of Spain Recreation Area

The unusual name of the recreation area comes from a 1796 Spanish land grant given to Julien Dubuque. Dubuque had already made an agreement with the local Meskwaki tribe to mine in the area. Although Dubuque's mining venture was not successful, mining continued until 1914 - first by Native Americans after Dubuque's death and later by settlers. 

The recreation area was created in 1981 and consists of 1,380 acres of wetland, creeks, forest, prairies, cropland, and meadows. There are 21 miles of maintained hiking trails, an interpretive center, and a monument to Julien Duquque.

       

Very little is accessible due to the hilly terrain. Our first stop was the monument.  A paved, accessible trail leads to the monument and a view point overlooking the Mississippi River and the city of Dubuque. 

E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center is in a completely different area and can be accessed by hiking or by driving west to US 61, south on US 61, and east on US 52. The interpretive center was closed by the time we got there but we did walk/roll along the John and Alice Butler Trail. The one mile out and back trail is paved and accessible but hilly so wheelchair users may need assistance. 

    

 

The parking lots at the monument and the interpretive center are

large enough for RVs. Most of the other lots are too small. Monument  42.46866, -90.64842   Center  42.45906, -90.66445