prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa

#Prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa full#
#Prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa series#
#Prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa free#

If you are looking to go cave exploring while also doing some other outdoor activities this cave might be the one for you. As well as the ice cave you will find a freshwater spring, 8 acres of tall prairie grass, and lots of hiking trails.Įntry to the park and cave is free, making this one of the premier locations to see caves in Iowa and the perfect Midwest weekend getaway! Cave At Backbone State Park The cave is within the Barbara Barnhard VanPeenen Memorial Park which is a great place to visit. You really do need the right footwear here.

#Prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa series#

It’s easy to get to and just a series of quite steep steps and it can get very slippery. The ice of the walls can be 8-10 inches thick and creates a white crust on the rock. It begins to form in January/February and remains typically until August. The ice is formed in the winter by water trickling down the cold rock walls forming a layer of ice on the walls. When it comes to Iowa caves this one is unique. And it is located in one of the cutest small towns in Iowa. If you want to see something unusual, how about ice in a cave in summer? Decorah Ice Cave is the largest ice cave in the midwest and is really quite spectacular to see. Decorah Ice Cave In Barbara Barnhard VanPeenen Memorial Park

#Prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa free#

Oh the best part is these caves in Iowa are free to enter. The state part also has a campground if you fancy spending a few days exploring but other than toilets it is pretty primitive so make sure you bring all you need. However, the Iowa trails can get wet and muddy, so be prepared.

Maquoketa Caves State Park Iowa is a natural experience unlike anything else. These caves were used by Native Americas and later became a popular picnicking spot for settlers, some of who stole the white stalactites.Īlso definitely worth seeing is Natural Bridge and Balanced Rock which you can explore on the 6 miles of trails within the park. There are four types of caves here solutional, mechanical, talus, and rock shelters. The caves are all linked by a trail system so It’s easy to get around. However, if you want to explore some of the smaller caves like Bat Passage and Dugout Cave you might want to bring a flashlight. Set in the unique Maquoketa Caves State Park there are 13 caves for you to explore here.įrom the magnificent 1,100-foot Dancehall Cave which is the longest public, wild cave in Iowa to smaller ones you might need to crawl in.ĭancehall Cave is easy to explore as lights and passageways are set up and established. If you like your caves big and majestic with a side of awe then Maquoketa Caves Iowa will be for you. 10 Amazing Caves In Iowa For You To Explore Maquoketa Caves In Maquoketa Caves State Park So let’s put on our sturdy shoes, get out our flashlight and go exploring. If you are looking for more than caves to explore in Iowa there are some incredible Iowa waterfalls and some real Midwest hidden gems. They all offer something a little bit different so I’m sure you will be able to find the right cave to visit. In this list, I have included the caves that are open to the public and safe to explore. Caves in Iowa are a constant 45 to 55 degrees.Īlso, make sure you wear sturdy shoes suited for these environments as the inside of caves can get slippery. One thing I will advise is that if you go exploring take a jacket or sweater these caves can get cold. When it comes to caves in Iowa there really is a cave for everyone. Stepping into them is like stepping into another world. With over 1000 caves Iowa really does have it all when it comes to underground exploring.

#Prophetstown state park to backbone state park iowa full#

However, Iowa has some really interesting and somewhat magical caves and cave systems.įrom deep caves full of stalagmites, caves that have rivers running through them, and caves with ice in them all year round, some are so majestic they wouldn’t be out of place in an epic movie. I have to say when I think of Iowa the first thing that springs to my mind is not caves. In this article, I have picked the best of the Iowa caves and given you all the information you need so you make a decision on which is the best cave for you to visit. Are you looking for caves in Iowa? You are in the right place.