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Nearby Parks:
Indian Bluffs State Wildlife Management Area
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Maquoketa Caves is probably Iowa's most unique state park. Its caves, limestone formations and rugged bluffs provide visitors a chance to "step back" into geological time thousands of years. Caves vary from the 1,100' Dancehall Cave with walkways and lighting system to Dugout Cave. The remaining caves are all different sizes and shapes. Some can be explored by walking while others can best be seen by crawling. In any case, a flashlight and old clothes and shoes are most helpful.
The park contains more caves than any other state park in Iowa. A beautiful trail system links the caves, formations, and overlooks while providing an exciting hiking experience. Many areas on these trails have seen new construction, making the journey to the caves safer and easier. Trail highlights include the dramatic "Natural Bridge" which stands nearly 50 feet above Raccoon Creek, and the 17-ton "Balanced Rock".
The park has beauty all its own each season of the year. Spring wildflowers give way to the lush green growth of summer. Fall brings dramatic hues of yellow, gold and crimson. Snow transforms the park into a winter wonderland. Whatever the season, Maquoketa Caves has something special to offer. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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One of our favorite outings
Our Boy Scout Troop has been going there for about ten years. The scouts love it as well as the adults. We have never had any problems.We drive four hours to get there.
Written by David Fisher
8-May-2008
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(name not given)
16-May-2008
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Maquoketa Caves is most definitely the choice place to go caving. The caves are suitable for the most extreme outdoors people searching for the tightest crawl spaces... And fine for anyone else to enjoy walking through caverns without even having to bend over.
(name not given)
11-Jul-2008
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| Camping: |
| The campground contains 29 campsites (17 have electricity) nestled among mature pine trees, complete with a modern shower facility. The fees vary depending upon the time of year and facilities available. Starting February 13, 2006 advance campsite reservations can be booked through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are still available for self-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis. |
| Trails: |
| Hikers can enjoy the scenery along the 6 miles of trails. The trails in the eastern part of the park connect the park facilities and provide access to the caves. Trail highlights include the dramatic "Natural Bridge" which stand nearly 50 feet above Raccoon Creek, 17-ton "Balanced Rock", and "Dancehall Cave." A trail in the western area of the park takes hikers past a restored prairie, an experimental oak savanna restoration and a wildlife food plot. |
| Picnicking: |
| The unique beauty of Maquoketa Caves State Park provides a lovely setting for picnicking. A children's play structure is located between the campground and picnic area. There are two open picnic shelters which may be reserved for a fee through the park manager. |
| History of the Area: |
| Artifacts such as pottery, as well as tools and projectile points made of stone have been found in the caves and surrounding area. These discoveries tell us that the Maquoketa Caves area has been a popular spot for hundreds of years, perhaps thousands of years. Early recorded history tells of the Native Americans in the area, and that they were likely visitors to the Raccoon Creek valleys. From the discovery of the caves in the 1830's by settlers until the present, the park has been a place to view the special beauty that nature has to offer.
Beautiful milk white stalactites once hung from the ceilings and stalagmites rose from the floor. Souvenir hunters have robbed the caves of this rare beauty, but many formations remain.
The first park land was purchased in 1921. However, the majority of the park facilities were not constructed until the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Both programs resulted from the federal government effort to make work for Americans during the Great Depression. Their work included the stone lodge, Dancehall Cave walkway system, stone picnic circle and several hexagonal picnic shelters along the trail. Some of these structures have been restored and efforts continue.
A major renovation effort was recently completed which included updating and modernizing the park facilities from the 1930's. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Hotels/Motels | |  | Carroll County Tourism - Carroll County, IL
You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.
Web Site: http://www.gocarrollcounty.com |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Caves of the United States: Maquoketa Caves State Park - Show Caves of the World is a site about underground sights open to the public, like caves and mines ... With kind permission. See also Maquoketa Caves State Park Maquoketa Caves State Park Main ... | | Maquoketa Caves State Park - Climbingsource.com - Click to Get Advertising Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa We Need Your Picture CLOSED Click Below for Seven Day Forecast Directions to park: From Maquoketa, go 7 miles west on highway 428, use ... | | Jackson County, Iowa Landmarks - ... do in Jackson County while you are here. The Maquoketa Caves State Park The Maquoketa Caves are 6 miles northwest of Maquoketa ... available here at the Maquoketa Caves State Park, as well as a ... | | Iowa Hiking Trail Finder - Comprehensive links & descriptions to hiking pages for Iowa ... Trail review by Colin Kao on thebackpacker.com Maquoketa Caves State Park basic trail description, downloadable map. Maquoketa Caves ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| The former Sager's Museum building has been converted into an interpretive center. This new facility contains detailed information about the geology of cave formations, park history, and a background of the early "inhabitants" of the park.
It also contains a "video tour" of the park, for those who are unable to withstand the rugged terrain that the park offers. This facility will be open on the weekends during the summer and by special arrangement with the park office. |
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| Area Activities |
| Tourism | | | Carroll County Tourism - Carroll County, IL
You will feel right at home when you reach Carroll County, our corner of beautiful Northwest Illinois. The magnificent Mississippi River and outdoor spaces will refresh your spirit and touch our soul.
Web Site: http://www.gocarrollcounty.com |
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