Maquoketa Caves State Park

4.47

91 reviews

9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, Iowa, 52060, United States

Featured in:Hiking Camping Iowa#2 Fall Camping Iowa Forest Camping Iowa +4 more

Quick Facts

906 ft

Price

$20 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Interpretive center ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens DISTRICT 2 site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

906 ft

Price

$20 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Interpretive center ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens DISTRICT 2 site

Official Website

Get Directions

Maquoketa Caves State Park

$20.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees range from $20 to $30 per site depending on amenities and site type. Firewood is available for donations.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.47

Recommended

Based on 91 reviews

53 Google reviews

Most mentioned

shadesites

"User reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, proximity to the caves, and well-maintained trails. However, recurring complaints include cleanliness issues with the restrooms and showers, as well as the absence of camp hosts for assistance."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, Iowa, 52060, United States

Maquoketa Caves State Park

9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, Iowa, 52060, United States

Driving directionsFrom Maquoketa, go north about one mile on Highway 61 and turn west onto County Road Y-31. Go six miles and turn west onto 98th Street. This will lead you directly into the park.

The campground is accessible via paved roads leading to the park entrance. County Road Y-31 and 98th Street provide straightforward access. No seasonal closures or difficult terrain are mentioned.

Nearby places

Maquoketa (7 miles southeast, approximately 10 minutes drive)

Nearby supplies

Grocery store and retail options within 10 miles in Maquoketa. Firewood available on-site for donation.

Best Time to Camp at Maquoketa Caves State Park

Each season transforms this subterranean wonderland into a different experience entirely. Summer brings perfect conditions for cave exploration, with cool cavern temperatures offering natural relief from the heat above ground. As autumn paints the hardwood canopy in brilliant hues, the caves maintain their constant, comfortable climate. Winter transforms the park into a quieter realm, where thousands of bats settle into their ancient hibernation chambers deep within the limestone hollows, while spring awakens both the forest floor and the underground streams that continue to shape these living caves.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 10% in IA

Summer is busiest and recommended; cool caves provide relief and trails are prime.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Fall is quieter and scenic, but some amenities may be limited seasonally.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring wildflowers and positive review signals; good access for RVs and tents.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Fewer activities in winter and some facilities/restrooms are seasonally closed.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Summer is the busiest time, with high demand during weekends and holidays.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Interpretive center open on weekends during summer; seasonal closures for modern restrooms and showers noted in user reviews.
Current Alerts: Seasonal closures for showers/restrooms noted in user reviews. Seasonal limitations on cave access due to bat hibernation.

About Maquoketa Caves State Park

Deep within Iowa's rolling countryside, Maquoketa Caves State Park campground serves as your basecamp for an underground adventure unlike any other. Modern amenities blend seamlessly with rugged natural beauty, where scenic hiking trails wind through ancient forests before plunging into a hidden world of limestone caverns. The legendary Dancehall Cave and the mysteriously named Rainy Day Cave await those brave enough to explore their shadowy depths, creating memories that will echo long after you've returned to the surface.

The campground at Maquoketa Caves State Park offers both electric and non-electric campsites, as well as walk-in tent sites and group sites. Sites are available by reservation only.

Historical SignificanceStep into Dancehall Cave and you'll find yourself in the same soaring chamber where early settlers once held lantern-lit dances, their music echoing off limestone walls that have stood for millennia. The rhythmic footsteps of those long-ago dancers joined a much older story - one written by Native American inhabitants who left behind artifacts that speak of their deep connection to this mystical landscape. Every cave entrance, every worn path, holds layers of human history intertwined with geological time.

Weather and SeasonsEach season transforms this subterranean wonderland into a different experience entirely. Summer brings perfect conditions for cave exploration, with cool cavern temperatures offering natural relief from the heat above ground. As autumn paints the hardwood canopy in brilliant hues, the caves maintain their constant, comfortable climate. Winter transforms the park into a quieter realm, where thousands of bats settle into their ancient hibernation chambers deep within the limestone hollows, while spring awakens both the forest floor and the underground streams that continue to shape these living caves.

ElevationThe park's varied terrain creates a dramatic landscape where high bluffs overlook deep valleys, and cave entrances appear at multiple levels throughout the topography. This natural architecture provides both challenging climbs to scenic overlooks and gentle descents into cool, sheltered hollows.

Natural Features and SceneryAbove ground, towering hardwood forests create a verdant canopy that filters sunlight into dancing patterns, while restored prairie areas wave with native grasses that once covered the entire region. Below, a secret world unfolds through narrow passages and vast chambers adorned with flowstone formations and delicate stalactites that have grown drop by precious drop over countless centuries. This remarkable marriage of surface beauty and subterranean wonder creates an ecosystem found nowhere else in Iowa.

Geological RegionCarved by patient water over millions of years, this limestone wonderland represents one of Iowa's most significant karst regions. The same ancient seas that once covered this land left behind the limestone beds that water would later sculpt into today's cave system. High bluffs reveal the geological story in their exposed layers, while the caves themselves continue to evolve with each rainfall, creating a living laboratory where visitors can witness Earth's artistic processes in real-time.

Best Campsites

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Check-in

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Stay Limit

Stay durations are not explicitly mentioned.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No explicit data on the number of guests allowed per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites are described as gravel-based, level, and close together. Walk-in tent sites are secluded and shaded.

Reservation PlatformsReservations required for all campsites. No specific platform mentioned.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll campsites are reservation-only; walk-up availability is not mentioned.

Cancellation PolicyCancellation rules are not detailed in the authoritative content or user reviews.

AccessibilityThe park has facilities that are handicap accessible, including restrooms and parking, as stated in the authoritative content.

Site SizeCampsites vary in size, with some noted as 'roomy' and others as smaller or closer together. Site #7 and site #30 were specifically mentioned as examples.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site. Reviews note that walk-in tent sites are more secluded and shaded, while other sites are closer and less private.

Recommended SitesWalk-in tent sites are shaded and secluded. Site #7 has electrical hookups and proximity to water and dump stations. Avoid sites near street lamps for a quieter experience.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Maquoketa Caves State Park offers a unique range of recreational activities centered around exploring numerous caves and hiking the six miles of trails connecting them. The park features breathtaking geological formations, and visitors can engage in wildlife viewing, bird watching, and wildflower viewing. The Maquoketa River, located within one mile, also offers tubing and canoeing.

HikingThere are six miles of hiking trails that take visitors through various parts of the park, including the eastern valley, Natural Bridge, and the highlight, Dancehall Cave. Trails also lead to caves like Rainy Day, Ice, and Barbell. The trails include options for crawling in smaller cave passages, making them unique and suitable for adventurous hikers.

Wildlife viewingThe park offers opportunities to observe local wildlife, as noted in both the authoritative content and user reviews. Specific species were not mentioned.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsThe park has an interpretive center with exhibits on geology and park history, open during the summer or by special arrangement.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSpiderwebs and bugs are common in restroom facilities; precautions for cave exploration include bringing flashlights and being prepared for narrow and wet passages.

Active AlertsSeasonal closures for showers/restrooms noted in user reviews. Seasonal limitations on cave access due to bat hibernation.

Fire PolicyFirewood available for donation. Multiple user reviews mention convenient wood collection near restrooms.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are not explicitly stated.

Emergency ServicesMedical clinic within 10 miles in Maquoketa. Ranger station phone number: 5636525833.

Trash & RecyclingTrash dumpsters are available on-site for waste disposal. Recycling facilities are not mentioned.

Water FeaturesThe Maquoketa River is within one mile of the park, with local vendors offering canoe and inner tube rentals.

Camp HostHosts are reportedly absent or minimally interactive according to user reviews.

Weather at Maquoketa Caves State Park

Reviews

4.5

91 reviews

Recommended

Maquoketa Caves State Park is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's natural beauty, proximity to the caves, and well-maintained trails. However, recurring complaints include cleanliness issues with the restrooms and showers, as well as the absence of camp hosts for assistance.

Review Summaries

Based on 91 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers appreciated the proximity to the caves, the availability of firewood for donations, and the scenic and shaded campsites. The trails and caves received high praise for their uniqueness and...

Based on 91 reviews

Common Concerns

Cleanliness of restrooms and shower facilities is a frequent issue. Users noted mold, spider webs, and general neglect. Missing camp hosts and understaffing were also cited as concerns. Restrooms...

Based on 91 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a flashlight for exploring caves. Check the status of restroom facilities before arrival. Long hoses may be useful for accessing water spigots.

Based on 91 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and summer are highlighted as the best seasons for camping, though the campground can get crowded during holidays like Easter. Fall offers a quieter experience but may coincide with limited...

Based on 91 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautiful campground with lots of caves to explore and trails to hike.' 2. 'Shower house is a disaster… cold, and terrible water pressure.' 3. 'The best part is the close proximity to the caves...

Based on 91 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #7 was described as level with crushed limestone, but challenging to back into for RVs. Site #30 is a secluded walk-in site frequently praised for its privacy. The first campsite was criticized...

Based on 91 reviews