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Wildcat Den State Park

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Wildcat Den State Park

One of the most photographed Iowa state parks, at Wildcat Den State Park, visitors will find both historical and natural treasures to explore. Trails wind through a variety of terrain, leading to geological formations along the trail’s sandstone bluffs. Visit the Pine Creek Grist Mill, the oldest working grist mill between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, for a glimpse into Iowa’s past. Whether you’re looking to explore history or enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors, Wildcat Den State Park is the ideal destination.


PLAN YOUR VISIT

Hike one of the diverse trails at Wildcat Den, offering fascinating views of sandstone bluffs and natural formations such as “Steamboat Rock,” and the “Devil’s Punch Bowl." Trails are best observed during the peak of summer and fall when the season’s colors illuminate the park’s surroundings.

Explore the 19th century Pine Creek Grist Mill located on Pine Creek in the eastern part of the park. The mill was built by Benjamin Nye in 1848 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park is also home to the “turn of the century” one-room Melpine schoolhouse. The mill is open for tours to the public Wednesday-Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm from May through early October. Visit www.pinecreekgristmill.com for more information about interpretive programs and history of the mill.

Reserve one of two open shelters at Wildcat Den. The Mill Shelter is ADA accessible and all shelters can be reserved through the online reservation system for Wildcat Den State Park.

Camp in one of the primitive sites at Wildcat Den by reserving a spot in the park’s non-modern campground. The campground has water and vault toilets, but there is no electrical service or showers. Advance campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Wildcat Den State Park.



Wildcat Den State Park
1884 Wildcat Den Road
Muscatine, IA 52761
Ph. 563-263-4337
Wildcat_Den@dnr.iowa.gov


FIRST DAY HIKE:  Wildcat Den State Park will be having a Self Guided Hike on January 1st, 2025.  The start point will be the Punchbowl Trailhead, located just to the East of the Upper Picnic Area Shelter, 3489 State Park Rd., Muscatine, IA 52761.  The 1.3-mile hike will follow the Punch Bowl trail through the Devil's Punch Bowl. The hike will then follow the Lower Picnic Area Trail along Pine Creek, past Steamboat Rock, and then loop back up the hill to the shelter. The gravel/dirt trail will have steep, possibly slick, terrain and stairs in several spots.  The route will be marked and Trail Maps can be found in one of the Map boxes, located at all the Trailheads.  Feel free to participate at your leisure, or as weather permits, and please share photos if you can to wildcat_den@dnr.iowa.gov.  If you have questions, please call the Park Office, at 563-263-4337.  (Posted 12/16/2024)

WINTER ROAD CLOSURE:  The through State Park Rd, from the Upper Picnic Area Shelter to the Lower Picnic Area Road, is closed for the winter.  It will reopen sometime in Spring 2025.  Visitors can still access the Park from the New Era Rd. entrance and the Verde Ave. entrance.  (Posted 12/2/2024)

CAMPGROUND CLOSURE:  The Wildcat Den Campground is closed for the winter and water is shut off. The Campground will reopen on March 15th, 2025, with the water being turned back on at the beginning of May 2025. The Vault Toilets will remain open throughout the winter months.  (Posted 11/15/2024)

TRAIL CLOSURE:  The Cave Trail, from the Lower Picnic Area to the crossing at State Park Rd., will be closed until Park Staff are able to make necessary trail repairs.  If you have any questions please contact the Park Office at 563-263-4337.  All other Trails are open for use at this time. (Posted 2/5/2024)

AMENITIES AT A GLANCE

  • Historic sites
  • Swings
  • Hiking trails
  • Shelters
  • Restrooms 
  • Non-electric campsites
  • Group campsite