Facilities and Activities

Picnicking/Shelters
Picnickers at the Nelson Unit can enjoy beautiful views of the Mississippi River. Open picnic shelters may be reserved for a fee. The lodge is an ideal spot for group events such as wedding receptions and family events and is available on a reservation basis. The lodge and open shelters may be reserved online through the park reservation system.

Camping
The Dyas Unit has 46 camping units (31 with electrical hookups), modern rest rooms, showers and a sanitary dumping station. Advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis. Camping is not allowed in the Nelson Unit.

Trails
In the Nelson Unit, four trails provide a variety of hiking opportunities. One trail leads out to scenic overlook of the Mississippi, one winds past Indian burial mounds, one wanders through a restored prairie and a "Garden Sanctuary for Butterflies", and one takes you past an old limestone rock quarry.

South Bluff Nature Center
The South Bluff Nature Center in the Nelson Unit contains a variety of interesting displays on the plants, animals and geology of Bellevue State Park. The center is open seasonally and offers a variety of programs in the summer.

The center is a remodeled golf course country club, rebuilt with mostly donated labor and supplies. It has been open to park visitors since its dedication in 1984. It is open 1:00 to 4:00 pm Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays, and by appointment. Hours may vary depending on volunteer and staff availability.

The "Garden Sanctuary for Butterflies", is located nearby. This unique area contains over one hundred separate plots, each featuring plants which provide food and habitat for butterflies. A network of pathways allows visitors to walk through the garden and see a wide variety of butterflies as well as enjoy the beautiful array of flowers and the pond in the center. For more information visit the website at Garden Sanctuary for butterflies.

For more information about the butterflies found in the garden visit the website at Butterflies Found in the Garden.

High bluffs with scenic views of the Mississippi River, 770 acres with timbered walking trails, a unique butterfly sanctuary and an enclosed nature center are just some of the features that make Bellevue State Park so special. Located just south of the picturesque town of Bellevue, the park offers spectacular views of the river, the wildlife, and the unique butterfly garden.

The park lies in two separate tracts. The Nelson Unit is at the immediate south edge of Bellevue on U.S. 52, atop a 300 foot limestone bluff. The Dyas Unit is two miles further south on U.S. 52.

Nearby Towns
Bellevue is just north of the Nelson Unit of the park. Dubuque is 21 miles north on HWY 52.

Contact Information
Office (Nelson Unit)
24668 Hwy. 52
Bellevue, IA 52031
ph. 563/872-4019
fax: 563/872-4773

E-mail Address:Bellevue@dnr.iowa.gov