Wildcat Den State Park

About Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park is the perfect place for families to spend a weekend on vacation.

Reservations for the campsites can be made online or on the Park's website or by calling 1-888-745-5555. Each campsite has its own parking space, and half of it is still The first serve is "first - come, first serve."

In the Fairport recreation area, there are also campsites available, and there are two open shelters that can be reserved by the park manager for a fee. Wildcat Den State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, kayaking and more.

Beautiful steep slopes and rocky foothills offer spectacular views for hikers, and there is a wide selection of hiking trails and trails for all ages and abilities.

For a different kind of camping experience, we recommend the Fairport Recreation Area Campground, located on the west side of the park, south of Fairports Ferry Road. It is located directly on the Mississippi and has 42 campsites, all with electricity. The Fairport campsite offers a wide range of food and drinks as well as camping facilities.

In Fairport there are many entrances to the jetty to reach the father of water, and a fish cleaning station is available. The same reservations for Wildcat Den campsite are valid for Fairports Ferry Road campsite, such as showers and toilets, and a picnic area.

Wildcat Den State Park is one of the most unique in Iowa, combining natural beauty and solitude while preserving the beauty of its natural environment. The Fairport Recreation Area offers excellent access and views along the Mississippi River, and the front campsite runs through the park, overlooking the river, riverbanks, lake and boardwalk, and State Park.

One of the park's main attractions is the Grist Mill at Pine Creek, located in the eastern part of the park along Pine Creek.

The mill was built in 1848 by the owners of the first shop and post office in the area, which was also built around 1838. Grist Mill in Pine Creek is one of only a handful of mills that has been preserved in its original condition and is on the National Register of Historic Sites. A group of volunteers from the municipality and local businesses are working on the restoration of the mill, which is currently under construction.

The turn-of-the-century Melpine Schoolhouse is located near the mill and offers visitors a glimpse into Iowa's past. The Brandt sisters, who once lived there, donated this part of the park to our state, and a bronze plaque in their memory is set in sandstone, in a beautiful setting where centuries-old pine trees line the cliffs.