Bellevue State Park in Iowa in Iowa, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-27. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bellevue State Park in eastern Iowa has two separate units above the Mississippi River. Head to the Nelson Unit for the Butterfly Garden and river-view trails. Choose the Dyas Unit for camping and a separate trail network. Put the correct unit address into your navigation before leaving; they serve different visits.

Two ways to explore the river bluffs

• Nelson Unit: A paved path reaches the Butterfly Garden, while other trails lead toward Pulpit Rock and a historic lime kiln.
• Dyas Unit: Four miles of trails include the shorter Deer Trail near the campground.
• Mississippi views: Overlooks give the park its river-focused character without requiring an overnight stay.

Plan around the unit and season

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Read the official booking page and service notices before packing for an overnight visit. Do not rely on campground water or showers during the stated seasonal shutdown.

Bluff walks and adjacent hunting land

Choose a marked trail that fits your group and stay on that route. Hunting is not allowed inside Bellevue State Park, but DNR identifies a separate public hunting tract beside the Nelson Unit. Use the mapped boundary rather than assuming every adjoining woodland has the same rules.

Leave the trails and historic features intact

Keep your pet in an enclosure or use a leash of 6 feet or less. Bring a bag to remove your trash from picnic and other day-use areas. Leave rock formations, bird nests and cultural features undisturbed. The Iowa park guidelines explain the rules for trails, pets and collecting.

Dyas campsites and group spaces

The campground is fully reservable, and a reservation is required. The booking system accepts campsite reservations until 10 p.m. CST on the arrival day during the April–November operating period. Shelters and the Nelson day-use lodge have separate reservation arrangements; select the facility you need rather than booking a campsite for a gathering.

Use the correct unit address

The Nelson office is at 24668 Highway 52, Bellevue, IA 52031. Dyas camping is at 21466 429th Avenue, Bellevue, IA 52031. The DNR park page links unit maps and current alerts. Confirm any route restrictions before setting out.

Other stops in eastern Iowa

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area is at Bellevue Heights in Dubuque, north of the Bellevue area. Maquoketa Caves State Park is at Caves Road near Maquoketa. The latter's caves close annually from November 15 until April 1, so a winter stop needs a different plan from a cave visit.

Choose a garden walk or a longer trail

Nelson has about 3 miles of trails. Its paved garden approach suits visitors who want a defined destination before extending the walk toward overlooks. At Dyas, use Deer Trail for a shorter outing or choose another signed route in the 4-mile network. Keep the two networks separate when estimating your walking distance.

Shelters and seasonal camping services

Each unit has reservable shelters. The Nelson Unit also has a day-use lodge. Dyas offers electric and non-electric campsites, but its listed modern amenities are subject to the seasonal shutdown above. Ask the park about a particular site's surface or accessibility features before reserving it.

A park shaped by its bluff setting

A trail to an earlier land use

The Quarry Trail passes a primitive lime kiln. This historic feature provides a different focus from the river overlooks and Butterfly Garden; observe it from the trail and leave the structure undisturbed.

Butterflies and restored prairie

Flowers in the Butterfly Garden support many butterfly species from spring through fall. Restored prairie adds another habitat along the Nelson trails. Plan for seasonal variation in flowers and insects rather than expecting the same display on every visit.

Contact the Iowa park

Call 563-872-4019 for unit access, campground services and facility questions. Iowa DNR manages this park; specify the Nelson or Dyas Unit when discussing your plans.