Ultimate Guide to Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
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Maquoketa Caves is one of the unique outdoor attractions of Iowa, as it boasts of more caves than any other State Park. The forests here are brimming with natural beauty, and the six-mile trail system takes you through the different geological formations and lets you explore the sixteen caves that this Park has. In short, this State Park promises a full day of adventure and unmatched fun.
Maquoketa Caves has something unique to offer to visitors every season. Many people prefer to come here in winter as the Park transforms itself into a winter wonderland, while some visitors prefer to go in summer and enjoy the lush green growth all around. So you will have a wonderful time at the Maquoketa Caves State Park irrespective of the season and time of the year.
History of Maquoketa Caves State Park
Many discoveries like pottery and projectile points prove that Maquoketa Caves have been of particular interest to humans for more than thousands of years. The early recorded history indicates that the Native Americans were the early visitors to the Raccoon Creek Valleys. The first Euro-American explorers came to the caves in the mid-1830s.
The area was known as Morehead Caves, and it became a popular place for parties, picnics, and exploration by the mid-1860s. A dance floor was constructed in 1868, just north of Natural Bridge, and a pavilion came up in the 1920s. However, by the 20th century, the area’s popularity was on the decline as the surroundings had degraded a lot.
Maquoketa Women’s Club purchased the land in 1921 to establish a state park. It was initially known as Morehead Caves State Park, but it was changed to Maquoketa Caves in 1928. Additional land was purchased in 1931, and most of the park facilities were constructed from 1932 to 1939 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration. Between 1961 and 1981, an additional 161 acres of land was purchased by the State of Iowa, and this section was a dedicated Nature Preserve.
Geological Cave Formations
The limestone formations, rugged bluffs, and the cave in the Park indicate a step back in geological time by thousands of years. The caves of Maquoketa State Park were once full of stalactites that hung from the ceiling, and the stalagmites jutted out from the floor. Unfortunately, the souvenir hunters robbed the caves of this rare beauty, but a few formations remain. The limestone caves, chimneys, and arches include Hernando’s Hideaway, Shinbone Cave, Dancehall Cave, and an unmarked cave known as Steelgate Cave.
Wildlife
Maquoketa Caves is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including many species of birds. Some of the species of birds that you will come across include golden-winged warblers, great horned owls, and gray catbirds. You may also spot doves, blue jays, northern cardinals, and crows if you are lucky. The specific species you will get to see will depend a lot on the season, but you are guaranteed to see some of them.
Is Maquoketa Caves State Park Haunted?
Maquoketa Caves State Park has more caves than any other Park in the state, and thousands of visitors come here every year. The Park or its caves are not haunted.
How Big is Maquoketa Caves State Park?
Maquoketa Caves State Park covers a total area of 111 acres.
Maquoketa Caves State Park Tours
Maquoketa Caves State Park is spread over 111 acres and houses 16 caves with standalone caves and connected systems. You will be able to explore each of the caves as you proceed on your hiking trail. The Park is well marked, and the most visited cave on this trail is the Upper Dancehall Cave. A staircase will take you right to the mouth of this beautiful natural wonder. It is hard to imagine the size of this beauty unless you are standing right next to it.
Dancehall Cave is the largest cavern here, and you must enter with proper hiking boots and headlamps as you need to navigate wooden staircases and slippery walkways. There are three entrances at three different elevations, which gives the visitors multiple vantage points on the largest cave in the state.
Although the cave is equipped with modern LED lighting, Flashlights will come in handy here. The cave can be a bit dark and slippery in some places, so you must be extra careful here.
The six-mile trail will help to connect with the other caves, which have been numbered by the authorities so that you can tick off one by one. Rainy Day, Hernando’s Hideaway, and Barbell Caves are some of the other popular caves on this trail, and each one boasts of some unique features. Do keep an eye out for unusual rock formations, fossils, indigenous artifacts like pottery, and 3000-year-old arrowheads that are found in these caves.
Tour Prices and Discounts
There are charges for entering the Park.
Is Maquoketa Caves State Park Cold?
The caves provide gentle relief from the summer heat as the temperature inside the cave is lower than the surrounding temperature, which usually happens in almost every cave. Winter can be a bit chilly, so you must carry a light jacket with you. You must wear good quality hiking shoes, and some people prefer to take trekking poles.
What to Wear
It does not rain much in summer, but the trails remain muddy. So, wearing old but comfortable shoes would be a good idea. If you want to crawl around inside the caves, then carry old clothes so that you do not have any problem if they get dirty. Some of the caves in the Park can only be accessed by crawling on hands and knees.
Maquoketa Caves State Park Hours
The State Park is open from 4 am to 10:30 pm on all days.
What to Do at Maquoketa Caves State Park (Beside Tours)
There are sixteen caves here, and it will surely take some time to cover them all. But after you have explored the caves, you can check out what other activities the Park has to offer.
Picnicking
The beauty of the park is that it provides a beautiful setting for a picnic with your friends and family members. There is a children’s play structure located right between the picnic area and the campground. Two open picnic shelters can be reserved through the park manager.
Nature Programs
There is a state-of-the-art Interpretive Center, a brand-new facility, and has detailed information about the history of the Park, its cave formations, and the early inhabitants of the area.
Hiking
The 6-mile trail system links the caves and the scenic overlooks of the Park. The trails provide easy access to the caves and the different park facilities while walking through the rich landscape. En route, you will see the ‘Natural Bridge,’ which stands 50 ft above Raccoon Creek, and ‘Balanced Rock’ that weighs a massive 17 tons.
Best Time to Visit
The peak season for Maquoketa State Park is from mid-April to mid-October.
How to Get to Maquoketa Caves State Park
Getting to Maquoketa Caves State Park is easy. The caves are located seven miles NW of Maquoketa and on County Road. If you are coming from Maquoketa, you need to drive on Highway 61 for about one mile in the North direction and turn west into County Road Y-31. From here, go for six miles and turn west on 98th Street. You can take this road to reach the park entrance.
Hotels Nearby
The campground has 29 campsites, of which 17 have electricity facilities. The campsites have modern shower facilities and are nestled among the pine trees. The campsites can be booked through the online reservation system, but almost half of the campsites can still be booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. The campgrounds have been recently upgraded, but it remains closed from December to February.
Maquoketa Caves State Park Fun Facts
- There are sixteen designated caves in the State Park.
- The caves are inaccessible to the public in the off-season for bat hibernation.
- Dancehall Cave is the most popular and has a length of 1100 ft.
Maquoketa Caves State Park Details
- Length: The Park covers an area of 111 acres. The largest cave, Dancehall Cave, is 1100 ft in length.
- Time Recommended: 2 to 3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Kid-friendly: Yes
- Dog-friendly: Allowed but must be kept on a leash
- Fees: Free
- Hours: 4 am to 10:30 pm
Visiting Maquoketa Caves State Park
Do you need more information before visiting? Call (563) 652-5833 or email Maquoketa Caves State Park for an information packet.
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