Maquoketa · Bellevue · Preston · Sabula · and every road between.

A towboat pushing barges up the Mississippi past Lock and Dam No. 12 and downtown Bellevue in fall color

Fall maple trees in gold and orange along a quiet creek near Maquoketa

Gift and clothing displays inside Make a Splash on Main Street

A wooden footbridge leading into green woods on a sunny day

Aerial view of a crowd at a nighttime concert in downtown Maquoketa

Welcome Fall Winter Spring Summer

Welcome to Jackson County, Iowa

Farm fields roll into limestone bluffs.

Timber fills the hollows. Caves reach farther than daylight can follow. Rivers find their way through it all to the Mississippi. Underground, out on the river, along a gravel road: there’s room for you here.

Fall in the bluffs · Oct – Nov

Thirteen caves, peak color and apples off the tree.

Hike through limestone caves under the turning bluffs, pick apples at Gravert’s, and end the day with fried catfish at Bluff Lake. An easy weekend from the Quad Cities, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids.

Winter downtown · Dec – Feb

Quiet trails. Warm downtown.

Antiques and galleries on Main Street, a play at the Tiny Pond, a concert at the Ohnward, and bluff trails you will have to yourself.

Spring on the rivers · Mar – May

Two rivers wake up.

Trails green up, the prairie and wetland come back at Hurstville, and paddling season opens on the Mississippi.

Summer nights · Jun – Aug

Concerts in a barn. Movies under the stars.

Free concerts downtown, touring bands at Codfish Hollow, Saturday-night racing at the Speedway, and a double feature at the Voy 61 drive-in.

Plan a weekend What's on this month

Bellevue State Park overlookBellevue, Lock and Dam No. 12 and the Mississippi from the top of the bluff.

Go underground13 caves and six miles of trail at Maquoketa Caves, free to enter.

Iowa’s only island cityKayaks, pontoons and a slow afternoon on the water in Sabula.

Hike the caves13 caves and six miles of trail, free to enter.

Pick apples at Gravert’s40+ varieties, open through late November.

Catfish at Bluff LakeFamily-style fried catfish just past the caves.

Shop Main StreetThe Odd Shop’s 53 vendors, Make a Splash, Max Ray Jeweler.

Catch a showThe Ohnward’s 841-seat theater or the Tiny Pond’s black box.

Bowling and a movieTimber Lanes, then the Voy 2 Theatre downtown.

Paddle from SabulaKayak, canoe and pontoon rentals at Island City Harbor.

Prairie at HurstvilleRestored prairie, wetland and pollinator gardens.

Taste local wineTabor Home, Iowa Grape Vines and TYCOGA.

Barn concertsCodfish Hollow Barnstormers, just outside town.

Free summer concertsRegional musicians downtown, food on site.

Drive-in moviesVoy 61 Drive-In, just south of Maquoketa.

Why come here

Four things you won't find anywhere else nearby

All 93 places →

A group with headlamps giving thumbs-up inside a limestone cave

Maquoketa Caves State Park

13 caves and six miles of trail, free to enter. Walk through Dancehall Cave, then bring a flashlight for the tighter ones.

Plan your cave day →

Codfish Hollow

Touring and emerging artists on stage in a converted barn in the hills just outside town.

See the venue →

A young angler holding up a bluegill on a riverbank

Two Rivers

Paddle the Mississippi from Island City Harbor in Sabula, or fish and follow the Maquoketa past the Hurstville Lime Kilns.

Rent a kayak →

A downtown sweets shop with a long case of chocolates

Main Street

A 53-vendor antique mall, galleries, a chocolate shop, Maquoketa Brewing and the Tiny Pond Theater, all within a few blocks.

Walk downtown →

Ready-made trips

Pick a trip. We've planned the rest.

24 hours in Maquoketa Caves & river weekend Rainy day

One day, no backtracking: coffee and Main Street in the morning, caves in the afternoon, catfish and live music after dark.

Morning

Coffee at Moore LocalCoffee shop, local foods market and working creamery.