Updated October 2026
Maquoketa Caves State Park: Weather by Month and When to Go
Maquoketa Caves State Park is a state park in Iowa. The USGS Protected Areas Database maps about 320 acres under its name. Average highs range from 27°F in January to 82°F in July.
Average highs sit between 60°F and 80°F in May through June and September through October. They run above 80°F in July and August and below 60°F in November through April. The figures are NOAA climate normals for 1991–2020, measured at a weather station 6.4 miles from the park.
Warmest average high
82°F
July
Coldest average low
11°F
January
Most precipitation
5.1 in
June
Longest days
15.1 h
June
Maquoketa Caves State Park weather by month
| Month | Average high | Average low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F | 11°F | 1.3 in | 8.4 in | 9.3 h |
| February | 31°F | 15°F | 1.7 in | 8.0 in | 10.4 h |
| March | 45°F | 26°F | 2.2 in | 3.8 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 59°F | 37°F | 3.4 in | 0.9 in | 13.2 h |
| May | 70°F | 49°F | 4.2 in | 0.1 in | 14.4 h |
| June | 79°F | 60°F | 5.1 in | 0.0 in | 15.1 h |
| July | 82°F | 63°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in | 14.8 h |
| August | 81°F | 61°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in | 13.7 h |
| September | 75°F | 52°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 62°F | 40°F | 2.9 in | 0.3 in | 10.8 h |
| November | 46°F | 28°F | 2.1 in | 1.7 in | 9.6 h |
| December | 33°F | 18°F | 1.8 in | 7.1 in | 8.9 h |
Temperature, precipitation and snowfall figures are NOAA climate normals for 1991–2020 from station USC00135131, the nearest station with a complete set of temperature normals, 6.4 miles from the park. Conditions in the park can differ from the station's, most of all where the two sit at different elevations. Daylight is calculated for the park's latitude at the middle of each month. The acreage is what the USGS Protected Areas Database maps under the park's name. The state's own figure can differ, because the database may hold part of a park under another name.
What the averages show
- Temperature. July is the warmest month, with an average high of 82°F and an average low of 63°F. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 11°F and an average high of 27°F.
- Precipitation. June is the wettest month, averaging 5.1 inches of precipitation, and January is the driest, at 1.3 inches. An average year brings about 36.7 inches in total.
- Snowfall. The station averages 30.3 inches of snow a year, with the most in January (8.4 inches).
- Daylight. Days run from about 8.9 hours of daylight in December to 15.1 hours in June.
Camping, trails, maps and fees
Whether Maquoketa Caves State Park has camping or cabins, where its trails run, when it opens and what it charges are all published by the agency that runs the park. Its official page is the place to check before a trip.
Official Maquoketa Caves State Park page
For the forecast rather than the averages, the National Weather Service issues a point forecast for the park's location.
National Weather Service forecast for Maquoketa Caves State Park
Where to stay near Maquoketa Caves State Park
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month, with an average high of 82°F and an average low of 63°F. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 11°F and an average high of 27°F. These are NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from a weather station 6.4 miles from the park.
Average highs sit between 60°F and 80°F in May through June and September through October. They run above 80°F in July and August and below 60°F in November through April.
June is the wettest month, averaging 5.1 inches of precipitation, and January is the driest, at 1.3 inches. An average year brings about 36.7 inches in total. Snowfall averages 30.3 inches a year, with the most in January.
Days run from about 8.9 hours of daylight in December to 15.1 hours in June. The hours are calculated for the park's latitude.
Nearest National Park Service sites
- Herbert Hoover National Historic Site43 miles away
- Effigy Mounds National Monument70 miles away
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail143 miles away
Nearby state parks
- Pikes Peak State Park65 miles away
- Governor Dodge State Park71 miles away · Wisconsin
- Rock Cut State Park93 miles away · Illinois
Distances are measured in a straight line from the park, so the drive is longer.
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020; USGS Protected Areas Database for location and acreage; the official Iowa state park listing for the park's name.