Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Iowa Maquoketa Maquoketa Caves State Park

Maquoketa Caves State Park

A wonderland of caves in eastern Iowa.

Maquoketa, Iowa

Added By
3008437
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Maquoketa Caves   Gardner.glen / CC BY-SA 4.0
Maquoketa Caves   Gardner.glen / CC BY-SA 4.0
  3008437 / Atlas Obscura User
  Gardner.glen / CC BY-SA 4.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Iowa's Maquoketa Caves State Park is home to enormous bluffs and a six-mile trail system that winds through geologic formations and dense woodlands. The park was officially established in 1921, but it has been drawing human visitors for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. Artifacts discovered in the caves include pottery, tools, and stone projectile points.

About 13 caves can be found in the park, including the 1,100-foot “Dancehall Cave” and many others such as Hernado’s Hideaway, Shinbone Cave, and Wye Cave. Some of these stone caverns can be explored by walking, while others are better suited for serious spelunkers who are comfortable in tight spaces. 

Related Tags

Geology State Parks Nature Parks Caves

Community Contributors

Added By

3008437

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

May 31, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Maquoketa Caves State Park
9688 Caves Rd
Maquoketa, Iowa, 52060
United States
42.120155, -90.765927
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Menster Christmas Cookie Gravestone

Cascade, Iowa

miles away

Edinburgh Manor

Monticello, Iowa

miles away

Crystal Lake Cave

Dubuque, Iowa

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iowa

Iowa

United States

Places 74
Stories 10

Nearby Places

The Menster Christmas Cookie Gravestone

Cascade, Iowa

miles away

Edinburgh Manor

Monticello, Iowa

miles away

Crystal Lake Cave

Dubuque, Iowa

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iowa

Iowa

United States

Places 74
Stories 10

Related Places

  • Avshalom Cave.

    Israel

    Avshalom Cave

    This amazing ancient cave was kept secret for seven years to protect it from the public.

  • Cueva Clara.

    Quebrada, Puerto Rico

    Cueva Clara

    An enchanting natural wonder in Puerto Rico's Camuy River Park.

  • Ash Cave.

    Logan, Ohio

    The Caves of Hocking Hills State Park

    Rare recess caves fill this unbelievably beautiful Ohio park.

  •  Visitors enjoy the views of Torrey Pines Cliffs.

    La Jolla, California

    Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

    A dramatic coastline that’s home to a rare pine tree.

  • California Condor sunning itself in Pinnacles.

    Paicines, California

    Pinnacles Condor Sanctuary

    When California condors were hovering on the brink of extinction, this recovery program was charged with helping the birds thrive again.

  • A wall of sandstone with a small opening

    Covington, Indiana

    Portland Arch

    One of Indiana's only natural sandstone arches is nestled between resort ruins and an old Boy Scouts camp.

  • Longhorn Cavern

    Burnet, Texas

    Longhorn Cavern

    An immense cave that has served as an outlaw's treasure trove, an underground dance hall, a nuclear fallout shelter, and much more.

  • Cape Flattery

    Neah Bay, Washington

    Cape Flattery

    At the most northwestern point of the contiguous United States lies a trail leading through an ancient forest to stunning cliff-side vistas and massive oceanside caves.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.