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Maquoketa Caves State Park
State Park

Maquoketa Caves State Park

Maquoketa, Iowa
4.6 (90 reviews)

Photos shown are stock images and may not represent the actual campground.

About Maquoketa Caves State Park

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.

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of northeastern Iowa, Maquoketa Caves State Park offers RV travelers a remarkable destination where natural wonder meets outdoor recreation. This 50-site campground sits near the stunning Maquoketa Caves, a geological marvel featuring multiple cave systems that have captivated visitors for generations. The park's year-round operation means you can experience the beauty of this region whether you're escaping winter cold or enjoying summer adventures.

The immediate area surrounding the park is characterized by rolling hills, dense forests, and the gentle Maquoketa River, which provides excellent opportunities for fishing and boating. The landscape transforms dramatically with the seasons, offering visitors spring wildflowers, lush green summers, vibrant fall foliage, and serene winter scenery. This natural diversity makes the park appealing to RV travelers seeking authentic outdoor experiences without sacrificing comfort.

For those interested in spelunking, the Maquoketa Caves themselves are the crown jewel of the area. These fascinating underground caverns invite exploration and photography, offering a unique adventure that appeals to families, geology enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Iowa's natural history. Beyond the caves, the park's river access provides wonderful opportunities for boating and fishing, with a boat ramp conveniently located for your water adventures.

The campground itself is thoughtfully designed with full hookup sites, making it comfortable for extended stays or quick overnight visits. The 50 available sites provide a good balance between accessibility and the natural park atmosphere. Practical amenities include clean restrooms, hot showers, a dump station, and a camp store for those forgotten items or last-minute supplies. Families will appreciate the playground, while the picnic tables and fire rings encourage outdoor cooking and gathering under the stars.

This destination works wonderfully for families seeking educational outdoor experiences, couples looking for peaceful natural settings, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to combine camping comfort with adventure. The pet-friendly policy means your furry companions can enjoy the journey too. Whether you're drawn by the geological wonders, water recreation, scenic beauty, or simply the peaceful Iowa countryside, Maquoketa Caves State Park delivers a well-rounded RV camping experience.
50

Total Sites

4.6

Rating

90

Reviews

Amenities & Features

Amenities

Full Hookups
Dump Station
Playground
Boat Ramp
Picnic Tables
Fire Rings
Camp Store
Showers
Restrooms

Booking & Operations

Pet Friendly

Park Details

Season April - October
Total Sites 50

Tips & Tricks

Book Early

Maquoketa is popular during peak season. Reserve 2-4 weeks in advance for weekends and holidays.

Check-in Time

Most parks have check-in after 1:00 PM and check-out by 11:00 AM. Call ahead if you'll arrive late.

Local Weather

Iowa weather can change quickly. Pack layers and check the forecast for Maquoketa.

Explore the Area

Don't miss local attractions near Maquoketa. Ask the camp host for hidden gems and trails.

Maquoketa Caves State Park Reviews

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Nancee Scott

Mar 18, 2026

4.0

Google Review by Nancee Scott

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!

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Alice Driscoll

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Alice Driscoll

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! 🌿🪨

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Sue De Witt

Mar 18, 2026

5.0

Google Review by Sue De Witt

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.

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Amie Connor

Mar 18, 2026

4.0

Google Review by Amie Connor

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!

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Donna Smith

Mar 18, 2026

2.0

Google Review by Donna Smith

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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