Bellevue State Park

Eastern Iowa’s Bellevue State Park is rich in archaeological, historical and natural beauty. The park features beautiful overlooks of the Mississippi River, an enclosed nature center and open butterfly sanctuary showcase diverse wildlife and plant life inhabiting the area. Enjoy a long hike on one of the trails at the Park. Bellevue State Park is split into two separate areas, the Nelson Unit and the Dyas Unit; camping is only available at the Dyas Unit.

Bellevue Golf Club

A fun, yet challenging, par 36, nine hole course. The course overlooks the Mississippi River and is set on scenic, hilly terrain just 4 miles north of Bellevue. It offers incredible views of the Big Bend area of the Mississippi River and Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort

Lock & Dam 12

Watch the barges lock through or Bird Watching (Bald Eagles in the winter and Pelicans in the summer).

Ice Harvest Park

Ice Harvest Park once served as an Ice Harvesting area for the old locker. This park is located north of Bellevue on Riverview Street across from Bellevue Municipal Utilities building. This nice little park is a hidden gem and makes you feel like you are in another place.

Freedom Rock

The Jackson County Freedom Rock in Bellevue, Iowa depicts a Civil War era soldiers boarding the riverboat the “Henderson”, which actually happened in Bellevue, on the front side. On the backside of the rock is a somber scene which depicts a military caisson with flag draped coffin and each branch of the military represented. The Freedom Rock is located at the Veterans Memorial right across the street from the Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce.

Art Culture

*Bellevue’s Fish Stacks located on the banks of the Mississippi River*

Bellevue is full of Art culture. You will find a mural of the Bellevue War on the side of Kueter True Value & Rental hardware store; a mural in the Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce office and Fish Stacks located along the Mississippi River in Riverview Park. Bellevue’s Art Council host an annual art show and an annual festival, Fishtival.

Riverview Park

is part of the trail system that connects Bellevue’s parks to Dubuque’s Mines of Spain State Recreation Area. The park offers picturesque views of the Mississippi to the north and south of Lock and Dam 12. If you are riding or walking the trail in the park, you will see multiple memorial benches and picnic tables along with a memorial water fountain, gazebo, and pavilion. There are also memorials dedicated to firefighters and veterans, including the Freedom Rock. The walking trail gives you access to the City’s municipal parking lot that has a public boat ramp to launch your boat and to view Lock and Dam 12’s sea wall, where you can spend the day fishing.

Cole Park

Cole Park is located at the corner of Park and Sixth Streets. The park hosts the City’s public swimming pool, two basketball courts, a tennis/pickleball court, baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, public restrooms, pavilion, and Little Free Library box. In the summer of 2018, new Miracle playground equipment was installed after a year of fundraising. The new equipment is ADA compliant with a poured rubber surface. The equipment has two separate areas, one geared toward younger children ages 2-5 and another area geared towards children ages 5-12. There are also two sets of swings and a ten-spin geared for all ages. A pavilion is available to rent for family gatherings, reunions, birthday parties, etc.

Bellevue Municipal Parking Lot & Boat Ramp

The Bellevue Municipal Boat Ramp is a boat launch on the Mississippi River accessed from the Bellevue Municipal Parking Lot in Riverview Park. In 2020, the City of Bellevue partnered with the Iowa DNR to improve boat launching and boater safety by extending the existing boat ramp to help those with disabilities safely get into a boat along with a lifejacket rental stand.

David Ensign Memorial Park

Revamped in 2017, David Ensign Memorial Park is located on Ensign Street at the end of Washington Street. This park is home to baseball and softball fields where the Bellevue Ball Association hosts their seasonal games and tournaments.

Felderman Park

Felderman Park sits at the end of South Eighth Street along the City’s south border. The park hosts a walking trail that runs parallel to Mill Creek, disc golf course, soccer fields and pavilion. A key component linking Felderman Park and Bellevue State Park is the Mill Creek pedestrian bridge completed in 2017 as part of the Grant Wood Loop Master Plan’s priority initiatives under the State of Iowa’s Parks to People program. Felderman Park’s walking trail not only connects municipal and state recreation sites and completes about 10 miles of pedestrian/bike trails around Bellevue, but it also connects Bellevue’s parks and trail system to Dubuque’s Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, 22 miles to the north.

Sarge O’Neill Park

Locally referred to as Piggy Park, Sarge O’Neill Park is located at the corner of Vine and Third Streets. This small park hosts playground equipment and swings, geared towards children ages 2-5. It is a short, two-block walk from the Rivervue Trail located in Riverview Park. This Park was updated in 2019 to include some pieces of playground equipment from Cole Park that were no longer being used along with adding memorial benches

Duck Creek Park

*Little Park south of town on the river*

is a five acre riverside picnic area located along the Mississippi River about three miles south of Bellevue.

Spruce Creek

Spruce Creek Park is located two miles north of Bellevue on US Highway 52, and then one mile north on 395th Ave. Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, this park offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities: boating, fishing, camping and scenic views of the Mississippi River. This 43-acre park offers a boat marina with a boat ramp, 85 dock slips, and five transient docks; over 80 modern camping sites with 50-amp electric service; modern restroom and shower facilities; firewood; dump station; facilities for persons with disabilities; free wireless internet; shelters (available by reservation); and playground equipment. Pets are allowed (must be on leash).

Bellevue Ski Show

See a professional-quality water ski show featuring human pyramids, barefooting, ballet lines, jumping and more! An Emcee describes the action as you enjoy glittery costumes, powerful towboats, great music and amazing skiing! Bring the lawn chairs or a blanket. All Shows are free. Check out the schedule at https://www.facebook.com/skibellevue

Off Shore Resort

Bellevue, Iowa is growing and becoming a new destination! In the winter of 2020, Off Shore property was purchased and the new owners have turned Off Shore it into a resort! The Off Shore Resort Project is 45 acres on North Riverview Street between US Highway 52 and the Mississippi River on Bellevue’s north side. Existing facilities are: 170+-site recreational vehicle (RV) park and campground, 48-room hotel, New aquatics center with multi-purpose swimming pool, pool deck, swim pond, jump pad/playground, shower house, snack bar, poolside bar, and resort store, extensive restaurant renovation and upgrade of bar and kitchen with an addition of a high-quality Chef, , 4,200 square foot event center, and parking lot. Future phases planned by the developer, Offshore Enterprises, in 2022, include:

Event center expansion to 7,000+ square feet with Off Shore’s new catering menu provided by Off Shore’s newest Chef addition.

Heritage Days

The Bellevue Heritage Days Celebration is an annual event which brings families and friends together to celebrate the Fourth of July. This event is usually around the 4th but not always on the 4th. There’s a huge parade, carnival rides, a Ski Show, Fireworks and more!

Light Up Riverview

Every year from mid-November to early-January the Riverview Park is lit-up with Christmas displays. This makes a nice walk along the Riverview Park Trail.

Unwrap the Magic of Christmas

This event is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving. You will find a huge Vendor Show, Lots of Downtown Shopping, a Lighted Parade and Fireworks!

Learn more

Top Things to do in Bellevue, Iowa