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Hike to Devil's Punch Bowl, WIldcat Den SP

Muscatine, Iowa

Details

Distance

1.3 miles

Elevation Gain

235 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Grant Whitty

Wild Cat Den State Park is known for its unique rock formations and large cliffs. The park is home to many species of wildlife and offers campsites for a small cash fee.

Wild Cat Den State Park is located between Blue Grass, Iowa and Muscatine, Iowa, just south of the Quad Cities. If traveling on Highway 22, look for Wild Cat Den Road. If you are coming from Highway 61, look for Vail Road, and then turn left on to New Era road, which will lead into the park. 

Park in the north lot (this is where the pin is located). From the parking lot, the trail splits, however both of the trails circle back to the main trail. A staircase shoots up towards Wild Cat Den Cave, along the cliffs, and left towards the main trail. The main trail begins to the left of the parking lot, look for signage. 

The trail will continue to wind to the left, along the edge of the cliff face. You will have a cree to your left, and the cliff face to your right. 

Soon you will come to a fork in the road. If you go left across the bridge, it will take you to the south parking lot. From the fork, go right. You will follow a smaller creek, and the cliffs will diminish into a hillside. 

Follow this trail over 5 bridges. Once you pass over the 5th bridge, you will reach the Devil's Punch Bowl (see 1st photo). The Devil's Punch Bowl is a great spot to hang out, eat lunch, and enjoy the waterfall. Note that the waterfall is not always flowing. You are more likely to see water flowing from the bowl after a rain storm or in late winter and early spring when the snow is melting.  

You can either continue up the stairs to the park's campground, or return back to the north parking lot the way you came. 

*If you want a more interesting way to experience this park, hike directly in/through the creek! It is really fun around the 5 bridges area as the rock formations are carved out by the creek!

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Features

Photography
Running
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Forest
Picnic Area
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildlife

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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