Maquoketa Caves State Park
Jackson County, Iowa
Maquoketa Caves State Park Plants and Wildlife
Bird Checklist for Maquoketa Caves SP.pdfIn the table below:
Click on the Plant, Bird, Reptile and Amphibian, Insect and Arachnid, and Mammal tabs at the bottom of the table to scroll through the lists.
These lists are based on species identified during site visits and sightings submitted using the link in the sub-bullet point below. Submitted species are added to the table as time allows.
Click here if you would like to submit records of plants or wildlife you have seen at this location.
Bloom periods are based on those provided by the Illinois Plants Database.
About Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park is located northwest of the city of Maquoketa and is owned and managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The first land purchase associated with the park occurred in 1921, when the Iowa Federation of Women’s Club acquired ~ 17-acres, including the majority of the park’s caves and a natural land bridge. The 111-acre area known as Maquoketa Caves was dedicated as a state park in 1933, and has grown to 370-acres through additional land purchases.
The park is most well-known for its water carved caves through Silurian age dolomite bedrock. Cave formation in the park is thought to have begun some 500,000 years ago, exposing 75-foot tall cliffs and 430 million year old shallow marine sea fossils.
The majority of the park is wooded, with examples of both old-growth (150 + years old) and second growth forest. The upland old growth forest consists of stands of white oak, red oak, and sugar maple. The upland second growth forests, which were formerly grazed pastures, consist of black locust, elm and ash lacking an oak component. Cliff associated flora, including many fern species, are easily observed within the gorge and there are several prairie reconstructions located on newer land purchases that were previously pastured or cropped.
Spelunking, hiking, rock climbing, and picnicking were common historical uses of the area. The park also has a rich musical arts history, with concerts and dances held in the large, dome-shaped cavern at the end of what is known as Dancehall Cave in the 1860’s. Prehistoric use of the area has also been revealed, with Native American artifacts and bone recovered from the caves.
Amenities
Maquoketa Caves State Park offers excellent spelunking, hiking, wildflower and bird watching opportunities. Rock climbing, repelling, and mountain biking are strictly prohibited within the park. Due to a highly lethal bat disease called white-nose syndrome, cave entrance is only allowed when permitted. If you wish to spelunk, contact the park office before your trip to ensure the caves are open by calling 563-652-5833.
Numerous 1930s Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) projects grace the park, with the most notable being the Dancehall Cave walkway and limestone buildings, including a lodge. The park offers seven miles of hiking trail with access to 13 caves. Some of the caves are large enough to walk into, others require crawling. The most extensive cave in the park is Dancehall Cave, which is 800-feet long equipped with a cement walkway and lighting. All trails are maintained and require navigation through rocky patches and have numerous steps.
There is an interpretive center where visitors can learn about the parks history, archeology, and natural history. The park also offers picnic shelters, a playground, and a 29 site campground, of which 17 have electrical hookups.
How to Get There
From Highway 61, go west on Caves Road/State Highway 428 for approximately 4.6 miles, then continue onto 55th Street for 1.1 miles. Turn left onto 98th Street and continue 0.4 miles to the park.
Nearby Sites of Interest:
Interesting literature
Click here to view a Google Scholar search for additional literature using the pre-filled search terms of "Maquoketa Caves State Park"
Anderson, R.R. 2001. The Natural History of Maquoketa Caves State Park, Jackson County, Iowa. Iowa Geological Society Guidebook 72. 70 p.