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Hours

Monday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground Introduce

Welcome to Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, located in Maquoketa, Iowa, USA. As part of the Campgrounds & RV Parks category, Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground offers a unique camping experience with access to scenic caves and hiking trails. You can reach them at (518) 412-7275 or +1 518-412-7275.

Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground is renowned for its beautiful natural setting and the opportunity to explore numerous caves. According to customer reviews, the park offers a really fun trail experience, with many caves accessible for exploration and photography. However, some caves require specialized gear and climbing skills, limiting access for some visitors. A recurring issue is the lack of clear trail signage, leading to hikers getting lost. The campsite itself is described as nice, but the bathroom facilities receive significant criticism. Reviewers report that the bathrooms are disgusting, with mold in the men's showers and generally poor cleanliness in the women's facilities. The sink area is described as looking like it hasn't been cleaned in a long time, deterring campers from using them. Another concern is the availability of camp hosts, who are reportedly absent for much of the day, likely due to other employment. The campground's proximity to the caves allows for convenient walking access, which is a positive aspect. However, the poor condition of the facilities and the lack of camp host presence have led some reviewers to state they would not return. Potential visitors should weigh the scenic beauty of the caves against the reported issues with cleanliness and facility maintenance.

Here are some key features and considerations:

  • Scenic Caves: Beautiful park with numerous caves for exploration.
  • Hiking Trails: Fun trail experience, though signage can be lacking.
  • Accessible Caves: Some caves are easily accessible, while others require gear.
  • Cleanliness Issues: Bathrooms are described as disgusting with mold and poor maintenance.
  • Absent Camp Hosts: Camp hosts are reportedly absent for much of the day.
  • Convenient Location: Close proximity to the caves for walking access.
  • Mixed Reviews: Scenic beauty vs. poor facility conditions.
  • Location: Situated in Maquoketa, IA, providing cave exploration and camping.

Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground offers a unique opportunity to explore scenic caves and enjoy hiking trails. However, potential visitors should be aware of the reported cleanliness issues with the bathroom facilities and the limited availability of camp hosts. If you prioritize cave exploration and are willing to tolerate these issues, this campground might be suitable. But if clean and well-maintained facilities are a top priority, you may want to consider alternative locations.

Location

Customer Reviews

4.0
59 reviews
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Austin Thompson
Oct 14, 2024

Such a beautiful park, some of the caves you really can only look at unless you have all the gear and ability to climb down into them, but there are plenty that you can kind of go inside and take pictures. Really fun trail experience, but I wish there were more signs guiding along the trail as we got lost multiple times

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Donna Smith
Jun 12, 2024

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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Nancy Mesenbrink
Sep 23, 2024

Beautiful area for camping and hiking. I just hope those who come to visit, respect the wildlife, environment, and keep this Park clean in its natural setting. 🌿💚🌿

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Claire Wilson
Jul 13, 2022

This is easily one of the best state parks in Iowa if not the Midwest. The trails and caves are exceptional with unique landscapes. Some of the stairs and trails are in need of repair but overall the park is great. There’s only about 6 miles worth of hiking trail but with so many caves to see you can fill your whole day! Be advised it is slick out there and you will want shoes with a good grip!

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Latonya Williams
Jan 13, 2025

I had fun I went with a group of people with a guide but I didn’t explore all 13 caves but it was exciting I’m going back soon to camp and for the caves