Wildcat Den State Park Campground, near Muscatine, Iowa, is a charming location that offers a rustic camping experience surrounded by nature. With non-electric sites featuring picnic tables and fire pits, it’s perfect for those looking to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

The campground is known for its beautiful trails, including the Wildcat Den Trail Loop, which showcases stunning sandstone cliffs and vibrant wildflowers in the spring. Visitors have praised the peaceful atmosphere, with one camper noting, “This was the perfect peaceful site,” making it an ideal retreat for anyone wanting to escape the hustle and bustle.

You’ll find well-maintained restrooms and a water station, but keep in mind that amenities are basic, which adds to the campground's charm. The nearby Pine Creek Grist Mill and historical sites provide a glimpse into the area’s past, making it a great spot for history buffs and nature lovers alike. 

While some campers mentioned the lack of privacy between sites, the overall vibe is friendly and relaxed, making it a great choice for families and solo adventurers. Whether you’re hiking the trails or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, Wildcat Den State Park Campground offers a refreshing break from everyday life.

Two historical attractions both have active friends groups. One is the "turn of the century" Melpine one-room schoolhouse, which is located in the park and offers visitors a glimpse of Iowa's past.

The other historical attraction is the Pine Creek Grist Mill, which was built in 1848. The mill was built by Benjamin Nye, one of Muscatine County's first settlers. He also built the county's first store and post office in 1838. The mill is one of the finest examples of mid-19th century mills left in the country and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The mill is being restored to its original condition. Great strides have been made at the mill and it is now grinding corn for the first time in more than 75 years.

Wildcat Den is a great place for a family to "get away from it all" for a weekend or a family vacation. Campsites can be reserved in the non-modern campground which has water and vault toilets. There are no showers and there is no electrical service to the campsites.

Wildcat Den State Park Campground

Illinois City, IL is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Discover great camping spots near Illinois City, reviewed by campers like you.

Illinois City

The Best Camping Near Illinois City, Illinois

Wildcat Den State Park is somewhat of an unknown gem. Surrounded by cornfields, rolling hills and the Mississippi River, this park is tucked neatly away in Southeast Iowa. We've been here in all four seasons and each one provides a different landscape.

The park offers non-electrical campsites with pit toilets located in the campground area. A portion of the sites are available on a first come first serve basis. The remaining sites have to be reserved. Each campsite has a fire pit and picnic table. There is well water available. There is also a large shelter across the road from the campground area. The bottom portion of the park, where the Pine Creek Grist Mill is located has modern restroom facilities as well as another shelter.

Hiking the Wildcat Den Trail Loop is a must. Looming sandstone cliffs, tall pines, and rock formations are all part of the park's landscape. This is also a great place to view spring wildflowers. There's several spots of interest you'll want to be sure to take in while there, including the Devil's Punch Bowl, Steamboat Rock, The Pine Creek Grist Mill built in the 1800's, the Melpine School, and most recently, a renovated log cabin. The Mill offers tours during the warmer months and it's worth the time to take the tour.

While the trails at the Den are very scenic, they're not well-marked. This is perhaps the only downside of the park. The park is dog-friendly, but they must be on leash at all times.

This is one of my favorite "hidden" parks in Iowa.

Wildcat Den State Park

Beautiful area with lots of hiking trails. We keep coming back to this one. 

Loved the Trails

Small campground with access to great hiking to Devils Punch bowl and more. Excellent spring wildflowers, historical grist mill and schoolhouse. .

Excellent hiking and wildflowers

Really loved this campground. Been traveling from Chicago and this was the perfect peaceful site. Price is great $9 it’s reservable and walk ins. The forest walk is incredible. Love the park. 

Wonderful Hike and Peaceful campground 

Campground is non electric. Many trails and a limestone bluff. Beautiful state park

Beautiful Park

Park has historical sites, Pine Creek running through, wooded/ limestone cliff trails, shelters, and campsites. Main CG has primitive sites with tables, fire rings, reserved sites, restroom, CG Trailhead. There is a youth group campsite too across road from main CG.

Cool State Park with great trails

Small campground and very affordable. Absolutely NO privacy between sites as it's basically a grassy field of sites surrounded by an outer loop of more grass. Saving grace was that on a random Thursday in June I was the only camper. Lots of gnats and other flying bugs, so bring spray. Sites have picnic tables and fire pits with multi-level grates on top

Open space but empty campground 

Campground offers primitive sites with open grass sites, fire rings, tables, some shaded sites along perimeter . RR on sit,  a trailhead , overflow parking across entry. Park offers historical gristmill and schoolhouse. 

Nice State Park, Good Trails

Found by hiking at the Wildcat Den State Park. Lovely little campside with 19 places, rustical without electricity, dump etc. But got one waterstation and toilets. Every space with picknicktable and fireplace, surrounded by trees. Places are gras. Sorry for my english, Camp from Germany :-)

Photos of Wildcat Den State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers