Cascade, Iowa sits at an elevation of 903 feet in the North Fork Maquoketa River watershed. The region features deciduous forests interspersed with prairie lands and agricultural fields. Weather typically includes warm summers with highs in the 80s and cold winters dropping below freezing. Fall camping offers comfortable temperatures between 50-70°F with lower humidity and fewer insects than summer months.
What to do
Explore cave systems: Visit Maquoketa Caves State Park for its unique underground features. "This Iowa SP campground is simply AMAZING and if you are a bat cave spelunker, you are going to be absolutely excited by this place," notes Stuart K. The park offers "6 miles of hiking trails with 13 distinct bat caves to explore, so bring good hiking shoes, headlamps, proper long sleeve shirts and pants to keep the bugs and ticks away."
Fishing opportunities: Many campsites near Cascade, Iowa provide access to stocked fishing waters. "Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR," writes James M. about Swiss Valley County Park. The North Fork Maquoketa River also supports various fish species throughout the camping season.
Hiking trail networks: Explore wooded paths through eastern Iowa's rolling terrain. "The trails have sign posts and the map in a VERY general way gives you some idea as to where you are at BUT there are trails criss crossing everywhere so make sure you have your map tracker on," advises Shelly S. Trails range from easy walking paths to more challenging elevation changes through forested areas.
What campers like
Spacious tent sites: Campers appreciate well-spaced tent camping areas that provide privacy. At Riverview Ridge, "the tent sites, nearest the river, are well spaced with flush toilets," notes Wayne K. Another camper, Laura B., adds that while there are "lots of trailer sites but the gem is the tent sites down by the river."
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance of bathrooms and showers ranks high among visitor priorities. "The shower house, under the office, was spacious and clean," reports Wayne K. about Riverview Ridge. Similarly, at Swiss Valley County Park, James M. notes the campground is "well maintained" with good "restrooms, showers, recycling station."
Water recreation access: Direct access to rivers and creeks enhances the camping experience. "Two hour float trips on the North Fork Maquoketa River are available directly from the campground," explains Wayne K. about Riverview Ridge. At Central Park, Leslie P. appreciates the "beautiful little lake" with a "nice beach area," creating multiple water activity options.
What you should know
Site reservations: Reservation policies vary significantly between campgrounds. Eden Valley Refuge has specific rules for their remote sites: "These sites must be reserved online and are $13 a night. Firewood is available for purchase at the main campground from the campground host," explains Linsey M.
Cave access limitations: Pay attention to seasonal closures at Maquoketa Caves. "I would STRONGLY encourage you to mind your dates taking note of when bat hibernation ends and begins – for what it's worth, my brother and I drove all the way here only to find out that hibernation began the day of our arrival," warns Stuart K. The campground itself "is closed between December 1 thru February 28 each year."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have water with natural minerals. At Swiss Valley County Park, Michael S. notes that "shower facilities weren't bad but they have sulfites in the water so it stinks a little." This is common in the region and doesn't affect safety, only odor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Consider campsites near play areas when traveling with children. At Maquoketa Caves State Park, Stuart K. advises "if you have kids and want to be planted near the playground, you might want to target sites #26-#28, where the spacious kids playground sets right behind these sites." Central Park also features "a nice beach area" that children enjoy, according to Leslie P.
Kid-friendly activities: Plan age-appropriate adventures for young campers. "This park is beautiful and perfect for an adventurous hike. The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous. It proved to be tons of fun for me, my son and his friends," shares Charles M. about Maquoketa Caves State Park.
Theme activities: Look for campgrounds with organized events. At Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Monticello, Dustin B. reports "This was our first Jellystone experience and will not be our last!! Great campground and an amazing staff!! Our kids had so much fun!!" The park operates from April 15 to October 15 with seasonal activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose RV sites strategically based on campground layout. At New Wine Park, Russell B. notes "Water/Elec was $18 dollars night," offering good value. Lee D. adds that "the camper pads are gravel/grass, but not all are clearly defined. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring."
Hookup availability: Electrical and water service varies by location. At Maquoketa Caves State Park, Stuart K. explains there are "28 [sites] in total w/ 24 offering 20/30/50 amp electric" and the "sites designated for RV's are back-in and range in driveway length between 31 and 68 feet."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dump facilities. At Eden Valley Refuge, Chris D. notes that the campground has "28 sites have electric and water" and "there's also an outdoor shower" along with a dump station, making it suitable for longer stays.
