4.7
Backbone State Park
Dundee, Iowa
Nestled near Dundee in Iowa, Backbone State Park provides 127 campsites for nature lovers. This state park combines conv...
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Located near Maquoketa, Iowa, Maquoketa Caves State Park features 50 campsites in a scenic setting. This state park is a favorite among visitors seeking outdoor adventure and relaxation.
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Maquoketa is popular during peak season. Reserve 2-4 weeks in advance for weekends and holidays.
Most parks have check-in after 1:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM. Call ahead if you'll arrive late.
Iowa weather can change quickly. Pack layers and check the forecast for Maquoketa.
Don't miss local attractions near Maquoketa. Ask the camp host for hidden gems and trails.
Mar 18, 2026
Beautiful area with the caves. Be prepared for LOTS of stairs when visiting the caves. The sites were big but not cleaned from previous campers. Lots of firewood on site. Did not use the toilets or shower. The camp host was not on site until late Thursday and the Visitor Center was closed during the week- no don’t blame Trump! No one wants to work here it was said by the locals. I alerted the ho... Beautiful area with the caves. Be prepared for LOTS of stairs when visiting the caves. The sites were big but not cleaned from previous campers. Lots of firewood on site. Did not use the toilets or shower. The camp host was not on site until late Thursday and the Visitor Center was closed during the week- no don’t blame Trump! No one wants to work here it was said by the locals. I alerted the host to poison ivy on my site and he never came to deal with it. Please be careful with pets and people!
Mar 18, 2026
Maquoketa Caves State Park is one of the most unique and beautiful parks in Iowa. It’s an amazing place to explore and experience nature. The caves are incredible and so much fun to walk through, especially if you enjoy a little adventure. Some caves are easy to walk through, while others are more narrow and exciting to explore. The park itself is very well maintained with scenic trails, beautifu... Maquoketa Caves State Park is one of the most unique and beautiful parks in Iowa. It’s an amazing place to explore and experience nature. The caves are incredible and so much fun to walk through, especially if you enjoy a little adventure. Some caves are easy to walk through, while others are more narrow and exciting to explore. The park itself is very well maintained with scenic trails, beautiful rock formations, and lots of wooded areas that make it feel peaceful and relaxing. One of the highlights is the natural bridge area and the different cave entrances scattered throughout the park. It’s a great place for families, hikers, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors. There is plenty to see, and you could easily spend several hours exploring the caves and trails. Overall, this park is truly a hidden gem in Iowa and definitely worth visiting if you’re in the area. A must-see destination for nature lovers! 🌿🪨
Mar 18, 2026
This is a hidden gem. Only three hours from the suburbs of Chicago. The campground is small, but clean and well maintained. A beautiful place surrounded by pine trees and walkable to the caves, which were breathtaking. My camp spot was reserved from Sunday to Tuesday, which was perfect as not many people were on the trails during the week. After hours only those from the campground seemed to have... This is a hidden gem. Only three hours from the suburbs of Chicago. The campground is small, but clean and well maintained. A beautiful place surrounded by pine trees and walkable to the caves, which were breathtaking. My camp spot was reserved from Sunday to Tuesday, which was perfect as not many people were on the trails during the week. After hours only those from the campground seemed to have access to the trails. There are 13 caves the largest and most impressive at the beginning of the trails. Smaller caves that must be crawled through…. Many wore headlamps. I didn’t attempt that part of the adventure after I saw an animal crawl into one! Hahaha I will be back. This was a great trip.
Mar 18, 2026
We had a peaceful stay at this campsite. There are plenty of amenities (even recycling), and it’s conveniently located right across the street from one of the entrances to the trails. It’s not too far from the highway, but far enough to not hear it at all, surrounded by pine trees. The only reason I’ve given 4 stars is because of the campsites practically being right on top of each other—maybe 50... We had a peaceful stay at this campsite. There are plenty of amenities (even recycling), and it’s conveniently located right across the street from one of the entrances to the trails. It’s not too far from the highway, but far enough to not hear it at all, surrounded by pine trees. The only reason I’ve given 4 stars is because of the campsites practically being right on top of each other—maybe 50 feet apart. Otherwise, it was nice being so close to the flushable bathrooms and the showers. Highly recommend if you’re going to see the caves!
Mar 18, 2026
Our campsite was really nice, however the bathrooms were disgusting. The men's showers had mold and the women's were horrible. The sink area looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time. We didn't even attempt to use them. The camphosts are never there. We think they must have jobs elsewhere because they leave really early in the morning and don't come back until the early evening. The campg... Our campsite was really nice, however the bathrooms were disgusting. The men's showers had mold and the women's were horrible. The sink area looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time. We didn't even attempt to use them. The camphosts are never there. We think they must have jobs elsewhere because they leave really early in the morning and don't come back until the early evening. The campground is close to the caves so you can walk there. We will probably never stay at this campground again.
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