Maquoketa Caves State Park
Encyclopedia
Maquoketa Caves State Park is a state park
of Iowa
, USA, located in Jackson County
. It stands northwest of the city of Maquoketa
.
The park contains more cave
s than any other state park in Iowa. A trail system links the caves, formations, and overlooks while providing a scenic hiking
experience. Many areas on these trails have seen new construction, making the journey to the caves safer. Most of the caves may be entered by persons of average physical ability, but some are more advanced. However the park's caves have been closed to human entry since 2010 in the hopes of protecting the resident bats from white nose syndrome
.
The park is in the Driftless Area of Iowa. This region escaped being glaciated in the last ice age
, while regions to the east and west were not spared. The park has been subjected to hundreds of thousands of years of natural non-glacial erosion.
The park's caves, limestone
formations and rugged bluffs represent a step back in geological time of thousands of years. Stalactite
s once hung from the ceilings and stalagmite
s rose from the floor. Souvenir hunters have robbed the caves of this rare beauty, but many formations remain.
Today a modern interpretive center outside the park entrance provides maps and other informational materials. Inside the park, a central map kiosk includes charts of some of the more interesting caves.
, as well as tools and projectile points made of stone have been found in the caves and surrounding area. These discoveries indicate that the Maquoketa Caves area has been of interest to humans for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Early recorded history tells that the Native Americans
in the area were likely visitors to the Raccoon Creek valleys.
The first park land was purchased in 1921. However, the majority of the park facilities were not constructed until the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) and 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 constructing a stone lodge, a walkway system, a stone picnic circle and several picnic shelters.
The park was once featured on an episode of Rescue 911
when a story was done on a hiker who had fallen and was seriously injured while at the park.
The park features limestone caves, arches and chimneys including Dancehall Cave, Hernado's Hideaway, and Shinbone Cave. The park also features a handful of mechanical caves including the squeezeway popularly named Fatman's Misery.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, USA, located in Jackson County
Jackson County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 19,848 in the county, with a population density of . There were 9,415 housing units, of which 8,289 were occupied.-2000 census:...
. It stands northwest of the city of Maquoketa
Maquoketa, Iowa
Maquoketa is a city in Clinton and Jackson counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. Located on the Maquoketa River, it is the county seat of Jackson County....
.
The park contains more cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s than any other state park in Iowa. A trail system links the caves, formations, and overlooks while providing a scenic hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
experience. Many areas on these trails have seen new construction, making the journey to the caves safer. Most of the caves may be entered by persons of average physical ability, but some are more advanced. However the park's caves have been closed to human entry since 2010 in the hopes of protecting the resident bats from white nose syndrome
White nose syndrome
White nose syndrome is a poorly understood disease associated with the deaths of more than a million bats. The condition, named for a distinctive fungal growth around the muzzles and on the wings of many affected animals, was first identified in a cave in Schoharie County, New York, USA, in...
.
The park is in the Driftless Area of Iowa. This region escaped being glaciated in the last ice age
Wisconsin glaciation
The last glacial period was the most recent glacial period within the current ice age occurring during the last years of the Pleistocene, from approximately 110,000 to 10,000 years ago....
, while regions to the east and west were not spared. The park has been subjected to hundreds of thousands of years of natural non-glacial erosion.
The park's caves, limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
formations and rugged bluffs represent a step back in geological time of thousands of years. Stalactite
Stalactite
A stalactite , "to drip", and meaning "that which drips") is a type of speleothem that hangs from the ceiling of limestone caves. It is a type of dripstone...
s once hung from the ceilings and stalagmite
Stalagmite
A stalagmite is a type of speleothem that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralized solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate. This stalagmite formation occurs only under certain pH conditions within the underground cavern. The corresponding formation on...
s rose from the floor. Souvenir hunters have robbed the caves of this rare beauty, but many formations remain.
Today a modern interpretive center outside the park entrance provides maps and other informational materials. Inside the park, a central map kiosk includes charts of some of the more interesting caves.
History
Artifacts such as potteryPottery
Pottery is the material from which the potteryware is made, of which major types include earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. The place where such wares are made is also called a pottery . Pottery also refers to the art or craft of the potter or the manufacture of pottery...
, as well as tools and projectile points made of stone have been found in the caves and surrounding area. These discoveries indicate that the Maquoketa Caves area has been of interest to humans for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. Early recorded history tells that the Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
in the area were likely visitors to the Raccoon Creek valleys.
The first park land was purchased in 1921. However, the majority of the park facilities were not constructed until the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
(CCC) and the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
(WPA). Both programs resulted from the federal government effort to make work for Americans during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Their work included constructing a stone lodge, a walkway system, a stone picnic circle and several picnic shelters.
The park was once featured on an episode of Rescue 911
Rescue 911
Rescue 911 is an informational reality-based television series, hosted by William Shatner. Originally intended to be only a set of three TV specials, Rescue 911 was picked up by CBS for the 1989 fall season after two specials aired on April 18, 1989 and May 9, 1989...
when a story was done on a hiker who had fallen and was seriously injured while at the park.
The park features limestone caves, arches and chimneys including Dancehall Cave, Hernado's Hideaway, and Shinbone Cave. The park also features a handful of mechanical caves including the squeezeway popularly named Fatman's Misery.