Spook Cave, Iowa
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
There was something eerie about this hole in a hill above Blood Run Creek. Strange noises and howls seemed to pour out of it. Perhaps they might be ghosts? It turns out these chilling sounds were nothing more than air exchange to a much larger hole beyond.
Although early settlers were long aware of this creepy cavern, the aptly named Spook Cave was officially explored and discovered until 1953. What makes this particular cave so fascinating is that it’s flooded by the creek and passable by boat! A stop at Spook Cave is a must in your rental RV to see one of the most unearthly features in all of Iowa.
This is the main event! Touring Spook Cave will undoubtedly be one of the more unique experiences you’ve had on a camping trip. Although the cave does naturally flood, a lock and dam system are in place to get the water a little higher for boat tours. Yep, boat tours in a cave. It will look a little something like a scene out of Pirates of the Caribbean as you admire the geological formations while ducking your heads to squeeze through tight spaces.
The tours are quite popular in the busy summer months, so a reservation is a good call. Tours are available from 9:00AM-5:00, daily. Also, the cave is always 47 degrees, winter or summer, rain or shine, so it’s wise to bring a jacket or sweatshirt along for the ride.
Anyone who’s owned an iconic green and yellow John Deere tractor has likely heard of John Froelich. These machines have long been a prominent symbol of pride and grit for America’s farming community. In the town of Farmersburg, visitors can explore a museum dedicated to this visionary who invented the very first gasoline powered tractor.
Also on site is an 1890’s village museum. Step back in time as you walk through an old general store, post office, schoolhouse, and railroad depot. Finally, an incredible replica of Froelich's very first tractor is located outside. Take one look and you will be amazed by how far these machines have come.
Just over 9 miles to the east, campers will find Bloody Run County Park. The 135-acre property is an angler’s dream, with fantastic trout fishing in the stocked creek. Just make sure you have a proper trout stamp issued by the state of Iowa.
There is also a rugged hiking trail that’s good exercise for even the most conditioned hiker. Wind your way through the dense forests to the top of a limestone bluff. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with great views of the creek valley below.
Spook Cave is only 10 miles from the Mississippi River, a stunning natural feature that deserves its own trip. There are a number of companies that operate tour boats in the area for a cruise unlike any other. Learn all about how this river sparked the wonder of early settlers and reshaped the country’s economy.
The closest tour operator in the area is the Maiden Voyage group. You can choose from a couple of different cruising options for your one-and-a-half to two-hour river tour. For those more interested in learning about the river and its history, ‘eco-tours’ are offered at 11AM and 3PM. If you’d like to mix in a little entertainment, the group also offers music cruises on Friday and Saturday evenings. Musicians are local artists that emphasize stories of the Mississippi.
The Mississippi River valley offers a microclimate and unique soil composition that lends itself well to wine grape production. In fact, you’ll find wineries dotting the banks of the Mississippi all the way from Minnesota, down to Mississippi and Louisiana. The wine that you will sample from Iowa, however, will be a little different than the Californian or European versions that you’re likely familiar with. Wines in the Midwest often feature hearty hybrid varieties of grapes that can withstand the harsh winters, giving the wine its own unique flavor profile.
The closest winery to Spook Cave is the Eagles Landing Winery, 10 miles east on the bank of the Mississippi. Visitors can enjoy complimentary sampling of up to 24 wines in a quaint and friendly setting. During your visit, you’d do well to see if they have any of the Outstanding Red Reserve in stock, a ‘best of class’ medal winner.
The campground at Spook Cave is pleasingly packed with tons of family-friendly amenities. The beautifully forested grounds feature hiking trails, a swimming and fishing pond with a sandy beach, a trout stream, a playground, and a game room. Choose from either water/electric or full hookup access for your RV.
About 10 miles to the north, Scenic View Campground is seated on the beautiful Yellow River. Although the grounds themselves are fairly open, they are surrounded by lush forest. RV camping experiences of all types are available including primitive, electric only, water/electric, or full hookup access. This campground emphasizes natural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere, if that’s what you are looking for, but there are not a lot of options for entertainment other than the river. Anglers will love fishing the Yellow River for stocked trout and the campground also offers canoe and kayak rentals if you’d like to go exploring.
Southeast of Spook Cave by about 17 miles, Clayton Hills Campground is a relatively basic option with tons of space for campers to spread out. RV sites do come with electrical hookups, although no water or sewer (but a potable water station is provided). Bathhouses with showers are also provided for your comfort. If you’re lucky, you might also be camping on a karaoke night.
The Monona city-run Gateway Park Campground is an affordable, no-frills option for campers looking for to stay in a small town. The campground only has seven campsites with electrical hookups only. There is a bathroom and dump station available for your convenience as well. A primary advantage of staying here is that you will be within walking distance of a few restaurants in town as well as the town pool and hiking trails.
Head across the Mississippi into Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (15 miles) for an action-packed camping experience at the Sports Unlimited Campground. Essentially an entertainment complex, campers have ready access to restaurants, a swimming pool, mini golf, a nine-hole golf course, and a variety of outdoor games. The campground also has its own marina with access to the Mississippi River. There are about 350 campsites for your RV with up to full hookup access. The basic amenities like bathhouses, laundry, etc. are also all present.
There aren’t any dining options at Spook Cave, however the beach is a nice spot for a picnic lunch. There are grocery stores a few miles west in Monona if you need to stock up.
Although there are a few diners and chains scattered along the rural roads in the area, you’ll have to head towards the river for dining variety. The town of McGregor (9 miles) on the Mississippi has a number of options along Main Street, including a variety of grills, pizza, cafes, Mexican, a brewery, a few pubs.
If you cross the river into Wisconsin, you’ll have more choices in Prairie du Chien. Here, you’ll find Chinese, pizza, Irish pubs, hamburgers, steakhouses, coffee shops, and plenty of American cafes and grills.
No matter where you stay, the eeriness of Spook Cave will haunt your memories (in a good way) of your RV camping trip through the great Hawkeye State.