Maquoketa Caves State Park

Iowa’s Maquoketa Caves State Park is home to enormous bluffs and a six-mile trail system that winds through geologic formations and dense woodlands. The park was officially established in 1921, but it has been drawing human visitors for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. Artifacts discovered in the caves include pottery, tools, and stone projectile points.

About 13 caves can be found in the park, including the 1,100-foot “Dancehall Cave” and many others such as Hernado’s Hideaway, Shinbone Cave, and Wye Cave. Some of these stone caverns can be explored by walking, while others are better suited for serious spelunkers who are comfortable in tight spaces.