Port of Dubuque

The Port of Dubuque is a Mississippi River facility with seventy-eight slips for boats up to 100 feet in a protected harbor area. The port offers electrical power, water hookups, and shower facilities for visiting boats and their crews.

The location shifted from an industrial center, marked by construction of the first railroad bridge across the river in 1868. That bridge connected Iowa to Illinois and changed how goods and people moved through the region.

The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium sits at the port's edge, showing how the river shaped daily life and trade for centuries. Visitors can see exhibits about river wildlife and the boats that once moved goods and people through these waterways.

The facility operates seasonally, and Mississippi River water levels change significantly depending on the time of year. It is wise to check current conditions before visiting and allow time to get familiar with the harbor layout.

A Shot Tower built in 1856 still stands at the port as a relic of lead manufacturing that flourished here during the 19th-century trade boom. This brick structure is a reminder that the harbor once centered on manufacturing goods before boats and river trade became dominant.

Location: Iowa

GPS coordinates: 42.49770,-90.65570

Latest update: December 9, 2025 15:36