Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve

Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve has one of the largest glacières (ice caves) in the Midwestern United States. It consists of a 3-acre (12,000 m2) parcel of land at the edge of Barbara Barnhart VanPeenen Memorial Park in the northern portion of the city of Decorah, in Winnesheik County, Iowa.

Ice caves are one characteristic of karst topography, along with sinkholes and cave systems, all of which are present in the area, a portion of the Driftless Area of Iowa.

The cave was gifted to Decorah in 1954, and remains the property of the city. It was declared a state geological state preserve in 1973. It was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1978.

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Erik Rowley
4 February 2015
Not exactly as exciting as hyped, but still a local thrill to trek up the worn steps into the trees and step into the cool tunnels of the ice cave. Yes, bring a flashlight! Best time to come is spring
Erik Rowley
4 February 2015
There's a hiking trail above the cave that reveals an amazing view of the park.
Scott Rayl
13 September 2018
Bring a flashlight
J.W. Slauson
25 October 2011
Bring flashlights
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2597 Quarry Hill Road, Decorah, IA 52101, USA Get directions

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