Dancehall Cave Trail – Maquoketa Caves Sp

Distance: 1.5 miles Elevation Gain: 300 ft Difficulty: Moderate Type: Loop Surface: Dirt/Rock Activity: Hiking Best Season: Year-round Typical Time: 1-2 hours Fee: Free Dogs: Yes, on leash Permit: No

The Dancehall Cave Trail leads to the park's centerpiece attraction - Iowa's largest cave system with over 1,100 feet of mapped passages. The cave maintains a constant 47 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making it a cool refuge in summer and a warm escape in winter. Stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone formations decorate the chambers. Named for 19th-century dances held in the main chamber, it remains the most visited natural attraction in northeast Iowa.