Wildcat Den State Park
Highlights –
- Sandstone Bluffs
- Pine Creek Grist Mill
- One room Melpine school house
- Primitive camping
- Shelters for rental
- Picnic space
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Hiking Trails
- Fishing
What We Liked About It –
This unique park has hiking trails that take you to 75 foot sandstone bluffs with beautiful landscape. We visited in the summer but it would be picturesque to visit in the fall with the colorful leaves and would make a beautiful fall family photo. The hiking itself is on the tougher side as there are many rocky bluffs to climb through which you will also need to come down from. Make sure to wear a good pair of hiking shoes especially if there has been a recent rain so you don’t slip. All of our kids (including our 4 year old) were able to hike the terrain but just be careful and not let young kids wander too far ahead, especially when going down steep areas. “Steamboat Rock” , “Devil’s Punchbowl”, and “Fat Man’s Squeeze” are the most known natural formations at this park.
If you plan on visiting the Mill or one room Melpine school house, be sure to go on Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm from May through early October. They are still worth a visit when they are closed as you can still see the outside and the dam connected to the Mill that creates a waterfall and the Pine Creek that runs through. Parking is located right next to this area with no big hike required to enjoy.
The park was a bare bones park that included a swing set with a sand bottom but the kids enjoyed playing at it.
There is primitive camping with trails connected. Camp site number 10 was directly connected to a hiking trail.
There is also plenty of space to have a picnic and enjoy the beautiful views this state park has to offer. There are also plenty of restaurants in Muscatine to eat at if you have worked up an appetite after a spending a day at the park.
Our family loved visiting this park especially for the hiking trails. Check out our Instagram page to see a reel of our day at the park or see it here on YouTube.
Check out other Iowa State Parks I have visited here.
Let us know what you like best of Wildcat Den State Park. Share your comments below.