WHERE TO GO CAMPING GUIDE Created By: Pachsegink Lodge #246 BSA Affairs Department May 2010 1 MAQUOKETA CAVES STATE PARK 10970 98th St. Maquoketa, IA 52060 563-652-5833 Reservations: 877-427-2757 Maquoketa Caves State Park has more caves than any other park in Iowa. There are over a dozen caves, although most of them are small, and require a bit of wriggling to explore. This is a great park to learn the basics of caving, and is appropriate for any age scout. The limestone caves and bluffs are very scenic, and the park has beautiful trails to hike, for those non- cavers. Dance Hall Cave is the largest cave in the park, and in most areas, you won’t even have to bend over to walk through this cave. (See photo on left) Some of the more fun caves, however, are the ones that are challenging to enter. The park also boasts a natural bridge, which spans across the canyon 50 feet above Raccoon Creek. Wye cave is also very large once you get past the entrance. It floods frequently, but when it is not flooded, it is one of the most cavernous caves in the park, and perfect for those scouts that love to explore. Directions from Council: Take Ogden west for 1.6 miles to I-294 north. Take I-294 north for 1.5 miles to I-88 west. Take I-88 west for 103 miles to Exit 36 toward US-30W/Clinton Continue to follow US-30W for 44 miles to US-61 north Take US-61 north for 21 miles to Exit 312A toward Cedar Rapids/Maquoketa Turn Left onto CR-Y31 and travel 6 miles to 98th St. Turn left onto 98th, St, it will be ½ mile on the right. Miles from Council: 180 (3 hrs, 15 min) Campfire Rules: Ground fires and wood gathering is permitted at this park. Accesibility: Handicap accessible group and family sites are available, and some of the hiking paths by the caves are also accessible by wheelchair. Water: Water pumps and showers are usually on by mid April. 2 Seasonal information: Park is open year-round for camping (caves are always the same temperature year- round!) Caving at Maquoketa is excellent any time of year, although fall is probably ideal. Some caves are flooded in the spring (like Wye cave), in the summer the scouts tend to not wear enough clothing to protect from scrapes and scratches while crawling through the caves, and in the winter hypothermia can be an issue if the scouts crawl out of the caves wet with mud or water. Most of these caves are dry, but no doubt your most adventuresome scouts will find a way to crawl through water and mud while exploring. Area Attractions: Caving! This is a great trip to earn Geology merit badge. Not only is there plenty of exposed rock that tell a fantastic geologic history over the past several hundred million years, but the cave formations are amazing. There are also plenty of signs and kiosks by the caves that explain the different geologic features and significance of the rock formations. There is even an interpretive facility with tons of teaching materials on the geology of the park. Activities inside the park: Caving, camping, hiking, and biking. Additional Comments: Kneepads and elbow pads are very helpful. A hardhat is important too, and always keep 2 sources of light on you at all times. And don’t forget the camera! Some of the most popular caves include Dance Hall Cave, Wye Cave, Barbell, and Fat Man’s Misery. Interesting fact about the park: The park was once featured on an episode of Rescue 911 when a hiker had fallen while at the park and was injured. Must do before you leave: Explore Wye cave! It is a straight drop to get into the cave, but once you are inside, it is very cavernous, and has some tough places to get through for those looking for more of a challenge. Reviews: “This is a great cave to learn caving basics. There are a lot of tough caves to get into, which is great for those looking for a challenge.” -Chris Brown, ASM Troop 337 3 STARVED ROCK STATE PARK 2668 875th Road Oglesby, IL 61348 815-667-4726 Starved Rock State Park, located along the Illinois River, is well-known for its beautiful canyons and waterfalls. This park is very scenic, and is a great park for day hiking. Have a picnic by one of the many waterfalls in the back canyons, or climb the stairs to the scenic overlook of the Illinois River and dam. For the history buffs, hike up the stairs and learn about the history of Starved Rock, or enjoy the Nature and Visitor Centers’ fun exhibits and souvenirs. For the adventurers, explore the back of the park, where some of the more majestic canyons reside, such as LaSalle Canyon. Starved Rock and the surrounding areas have been used by humans for over 5,000 years. Prehistoric occupants survived on hunting and fishing, and created housing from mud and rock. Native Americans have also occupied Starved Rock, and many artifacts have been found in and around the park. Starved Rock is still an archeological hotspot today. Starved Rock earned its name after the legendary story of the Illini tribe, who was trapped on the rock by a neighboring war tribe. The neighboring tribe surrounded the rock, prohibiting any members of the Illini tribe to escape with their life. Most who stayed on Starved Rock eventually starved, with no access to food. History is rich in these parts, and you can even visit the Old Kaskaskia village, or the Zimmerman site across from Starved Rock. This is an old village from the 1600’s that was ideal for farming. Marquette visited this site when occupied by Native Americans, and several tribes have occupied this site over the last 1,000 years. Directions from Council: Take Ogden west to I-294 south Take I-294 south for 3.5 miles to I-55 south Take I-55 south for 27 miles to I-80 west (Exit 250B) Take I-80 west for 45 miles to IL-178 (Exit 81) Turn left on IL-178 and continue for 2 miles Turn left onto Church St/IL-178 Maker an immediate right onto Mill St/IL-178 Continue for another 1.5 miles Follow the signs for Starved Rock State Park into the park Miles from Council: 83 (1 hour, 30 min) 4 Campfire Rules: Campfires are only permitted in designated firepits. The campground has a campground store that opened in 2009 that sells firewood ice, and other camping essentials. Accesibility: Seven of the 133 campsites are available via wheelchair. There is also a youth group camping area, which you must reserve via permit. Seasonal Information: The park is open year-round, but the best time to go is the Spring. With the melting of the snow, the waterfalls are in full effect, and the flowers are in full bloom. If you plan on playing in the water, however, you may want to wait until it gets warmer in the later summer months. Winter can be very scenic as well, with beautiful ice formations from the waterfalls. There are plenty of events hosted year-round at the park, including Oktoberfest, nature hikes, and classes to learn about the park history, nature, and geology of the park. Take a look at the calendar of events at starvedrockstatepark.org. Area Attractions: If you can’t book a reservation at Starved rock State Park, Mattheissen State Park is right around the corner! Some troops only book reservations at Mattheissen, and take the 5 minute drive to Starved Rock State Park during the day. Mattheissen State Park has slightly more rugged campsites and fellow campers, and its own abundance of fun hiking trails and scenic wonders. Mattheissen also offers cross-country skiing in the winter. Equestrian camping is available along Route 178 (not part of the park), and equestrian trails and horse rental is available near the park on Route 71. The city of Ottawa is only a short drive away, and boasts the National Scout Museum and the gravesite of the founder of the BSA, William D. Boyce, in the Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Activities inside the park: Starved rock State park has 13 miles of clearly marked trails. The main trails at the front of the park are paved and/or planked, but the back of the park (near the best waterfalls and canyons) are dirt. Fishing is available, and catfish, bullhead, white bass, sauger, walleye, carp, and crappie may be caught in the Illinois River. Boats can be launched at the west end of the park, and paddleboats are available for rental. Additional Comments: If hiking in warm weather, bring a towel and sandals. It’s going to be hard for your scouts to resist playing in the water under the beautiful waterfalls. Have a picnic next to/behind one of the waterfalls during the day, and don’t forget to relax every now and then to take in the sights. The best trails are in the back of the park. Interesting fact about the park: On March 14th, 1960, three women were murdered in St. Louis Canyon. A lodge employee named Chester Weger confessed to robbing and killing the three victims, and is currently serving a life sentence. Must do before you leave: Make sure you visit the canyons in the back of the park. If you have time, a visit to the Scouting Museum in Ottawa can be very fun and educational.