The 3-1/2 mile Eagle Scout Trail starts at Cattesse Hollow where it
continues to the extreme south end of the park. The trail has been
built by Boy Scouts earning their Eagle Scout award. This trail is
long, winding through forests, prairie and cropland. You probably
will not see other hikers, as this is a remote area in the south
end of the park.
Many other hiking and cross-country ski trails are available at
the Mines of Spain. Four miles of ski trails are maintained, and 14
miles of hiking trails. There are five individual nature walks
within the park, including those at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive
Center and another at the Horseshoe Bluff Site. Other trails
provide a wide range of opportunities to view Mines of Spain on old
winding logging roads, to view limestone bluffs, scenic vistas, and
to enjoy a hike through forests and prairie. Some of the trails are
steep and challenging.
The 1380 acres which make up the Mines of Spain State Recreation
Area include a variety of interesting land forms, plant species and
communities, animals and water types. Much of the area is rugged,
wooded Mississippi River Bluffland. While much of the original
timber along the Mississippi River was logged off during the
steamboat era (1865-1880), portions of the Mines of Spain Area were
left untouched, leaving us with burr oak trees today that are over
250 years old.
The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center serves as a visitor
information center and park office. Displays and exhibits provide
information about the history and features of the park. The Bird
and Butterfly Garden, native prairies, woodland flower gardens,
hiking trails, and historic Junkerman farm site are just some of
the many attractions at the Center. The E.B. Lyons Interpretive
Center is open year-round. Programs are offered at the Center on
Sunday mornings during the summer season; and special programs can
be scheduled with the park ranger at other times.
The Mines of Spain is a wildlife management area that allows
trapping and archery hunting for all seasons. Limited firearm
hunting for deer (regular gun season in early December) and spring
turkey hunting (first season in mid April) is allowed south of
Catfish Creek. Blaze it during hunting
season.
The site is open year-round with standard park hours of 4 a.m.
to 10:30 p.m. The nature center is also open year round, with a
winter schedule of October 16 to April 30, Monday through Friday,
and a summer schedule from May 1 to October 15, seven days a week.
The nature center building hours are generally 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in
the summer.
CITO and enjoy