Iowa is very famous for Clear Lake, and some Iowans may not automatically associate the state with caves. However, there are a number of fascinating caverns and cave systems throughout the state, and visiting them is definitely one of the noteworthy things to do in Iowa. Iowa's caves offer something for everyone, whether that's a leisurely boat trip down a subterranean tunnel where the boat does all the work or a challenging spelunking expedition for seasoned cavers; it’s also home to some of the largest caves in the world.
It's possible to get welcome relief from the summer heat by visiting one of the caverns; their interiors tend to be rather cold. It is pretty amazing to see ice form in some of the caverns for most of the year. The state of Iowa is home to these 10 caves that are not to be missed.
10 Wildcat Cave
Wildcat Cave, located in the highlands close to Eldora, is a renowned tourist attraction due to its length of more than 30 feet. This cave features a raging underground river and is accessible to explorers of varying spelunking expertise levels. A wall made of red sandstone is 15 feet tall and frames the entryway. People may discover cave explorers' autographs here, some of which date back to the 1800s. Vegetation has also been fossilized here. Six feet of headroom is typical for the first one-third of the cave. Visitors will have to make their way to the finish line on all fours from then on out. Visitors are urged to bring torches, gloves, and kneepads due to the muddy conditions of the site.
9 Wapsipinicon State Park Caves
The 394 acres that make up Wapsipinicon State Park are dominated by the sandstone and limestone bluffs that run along the park's eponymous river. The park has been around longer than most of the other state parks in the state. Mountain biking, walking, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, and cross-country skiing are all available. are just some of the activities available. Caves, including an ice cave, may be discovered throughout the park. The Horse Thief Cave, named for its distinctive bowl form, is an incredible natural wonder. The locals claim the cave received its name because it served as a hideout for horse thieves in the past. There is an extensive network of trails suitable for a variety of activities that visitors may take to reach the caverns in the park.
8 Bixby State Preserve
This natural park in northern Iowa is called Bixby State Preserve. The park is a peaceful woodland area with a network of paths leading to various water features, including streams, rivers, and bluffs. The park is a great place to go fishing, boating, hiking, trail walking, and of course, viewing the sunset. The ice cave close to the park entrance is the primary tourist attraction in this preserve. People looking for lead in the region are the ones who stumbled into the cave. A considerable quantity of ice may be found within the cave, while the precise amount is unclear. On a warm summer day, the chilly subterranean air is a welcome relief.
7 Crystal Lake Cave
In 1868, miners searching for lead near Dubuque came across Crystal Lake Cave, and by 1932, it had been developed into a tourist attraction. Cave-goers can spend 30-45 minutes on a guided tour. The cave maintains a constant 52 degrees Fahrenheit and is home to a variety of unique and fascinating mineral formations such as helictites, stalagmites, and anthodites. The Gem Mining Sluice is a great way for younger guests to have some fun while learning about mining. The outdoor pavilion is next to the gift shop, making it ideal for a picnic.
6 Spook Cave
The original inhabitants in the area noticed strange noises emanating from a spring at the base of a cliff, giving the area the intriguing moniker of Spook Cave. Therefore, it was dubbed "Spook Hole." One of the locals eventually figured out that the noise was coming from a nearby stream. After opening to the public in 1955, this cave offered visitors the only boat ride through an underground cave in all of Iowa. The cave is an oval rock tube with low ceilings in certain spots. To this day, visitors may take a boat ride through the cave's subterranean passages. A 90-foot cliff is entered by boat. A guide will share the history of the cave and its evolution while tourists explore its natural features.
5 Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves is an Iowa state park that is unlike any other. The largest of the caverns at 1,100 feet long, The park's illuminated walkways allow visitors to explore Dancehall Cave, Iowa's longest public, natural cave. The park is home to a number of smaller caverns, such as Bat Passage and Dugout Cave. In order to safely navigate the narrow caverns, visitors need to carry their own lighting. There is an excellent path network that connects several caverns, vista points, and impressive rock formations, including "Balanced Rock" and "Natural Bridge."
4 Grotto Of The Redemption
The Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend is an impressive Roman Catholic holy site. Catholic priest Father Paul Dobberstein spent his life working on the building. This shrine was constructed using stones and boulders he amassed over the course of his lifetime. In terms of size, this grotto is up there with the best of them. There are nine distinct grottos, each depicting an event in Christ's life. Gems and minerals such as rose quartz, agates, crystals, petrified wood, and even stalagmites looted from Carlsbad Caverns decorate the walls like jewels.
3 Decorah Ice Cave
The Decorah Ice Cave is one of the largest of its sort in the Midwest, housing massive quantities of ice. Historically, these ice structures have been observed persisting into late summer. Just because of it, a trip to this cave would be incredible. Limestone and dolomite, found at Decorah Ice Cave, date back around 450 million years. When cold air penetrates and lowers the inside temperature, ice accumulates throughout the winter. During the spring, surface water seeps into the cave and freezes when it encounters the cave's chilly walls. As June approaches, the ice becomes increasingly thick.
2 Backbone Cave
The major features of Backbone Cave are a stalagmite stump and a low rock wall formed by water erosion. There's no better place to take shelter from the scorching heat of the day than in this refreshingly cold area. Hiking into the cave will be a muddy experience due to the low ceiling and the constant flow of water. One of the most eye-popping features is a column in the shape of an hourglass. The crawl area narrows to the point that people have to move laterally on their bellies. There is a tiny opening in this section of the cave from which sizzling noises may be heard.
1 The Cold Water Spring State Park
A 60-acre section of natural land in Winneshiek County is protected as Cold Water Spring State Preserve. A spring that originates in Cold Water Cave is housed and protected by the park. The cave is the most complex in the state, with over 16 kilometers of tunnels. This is a set of metal steps that descend into an underground passage, where the entrance to the cave may be found. Once people are underground, there's no sunlight, and it may turn dark and slippery very quickly. Because of this, only professional cavers should explore this cave.