Maquoketa Caves State Park
Show Cave · Maquoketa, Iowa
The most cave-dense state park in Iowa, in the limestone bluffs above Raccoon Creek in the east of the state, with thirteen caves ranging from a lit walk-through passage to crawls that need a torch and a willingness to get filthy. Dancehall Cave is the show cave — about eight hundred feet long, lit, and walkable upright for most of its length, with three entrances. A boardwalk and trail system links the openings along the bluff.
9688 Caves Road, Maquoketa, Iowa, 52060, United States
FREE — no admission and no parking charge, standard for Iowa state parks. The surface trails and boardwalk are open year round. ⚠ THE CAVES ARE TYPICALLY CLOSED FROM 15 NOVEMBER TO 15 APRIL for bat hibernation, and other closures occur — RING THE PARK OFFICE ON (563) 652-5833 BEFORE TRAVELLING. ⚠ ENTERING ANY CAVE REQUIRES FIRST COMPLETING A SHORT WHITE-NOSE SYNDROME AWARENESS BRIEFING delivered by a park interpreter. It is free and it is mandatory, because the disease is lethal to bats and is spread on human clothing and gear — almost no visitor knows this in advance. Dancehall Cave is lit and walkable upright for most of its roughly 800 feet; the other twelve caves are unlit and range from stooping to tight muddy crawls, so bring your own torch and clothes you do not mind ruining. Camping is booked through the Iowa DNR.
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