| Artifacts such as pottery, as well as tools & projectile points made of stone have been found in the caves & surrounding area. These discoveries tell us that the Maquoketa Caves area has been a popular spot for hundreds of years, perhaps thousands of years. Early recorded history tells of the Native Americans in the area, & that they were likely visitors to the Raccoon Creek valleys. From the discovery of the caves in the 1830's by settlers until the present, the park has been a place to view the special beauty that nature has to offer.
Beautiful milk white stalactites once hung from the ceilings & stalagmites rose from the floor. Souvenir hunters have robbed the caves of this rare beauty, but many formations remain.
The first park land was purchased in 1921. However, the majority of the park facilities were not constructed until the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) & the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Both programs resulted from the federal government effort to make work for Americans during the Great Depression. Their work included the stone lodge, Dancehall Cave walkway system, stone picnic circle & several hexagonal picnic shelters along the trail. Some of these structures have been restored & efforts continue.
A major renovation effort was recently completed which included updating & modernizing the park facilities from the 1930's. |
Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
42.119287, -90.776437
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Campground: Maquoketa Caves State Park in Maquoketa Iowa *