The Amazing Campground in Iowa We Want to Visit All-Year Round

We Iowans relish the fact that the Hawkeye State enjoys all four seasons in full - even though we occasionally gripe about the weather. Fact is, we love to get outside and see what kind of adventures we can find all year long. And, if you ask me, one of the best ways to do so is camping. Many Iowa campgrounds, including those in several state parks, are open during all seasons. One of my personal favorite year-round campgrounds in Iowa, though, is the one at Wildcat Den State Park. Let me tell you why.

To start, Wildcat Den State Park is a real stunner. It consists of more than 400 acres along Pine Creek, between Muscatine and Davenport (the birthplace of yours truly), near Blue Grass. It's home to rugged, forested bluffs, as well as a historic grist mill and a one room school house.

The park's handful of hiking trails are all relatively short - the longest, Park Boundary Trail, comes in at around 1.7 miles. But they are all incredibly scenic at any time of year, with several limestone formations and caves throughout the park.

Not surprisingly, summer and fall are the two most popular seasons for visiting the park. Fall is particularly gorgeous, because the foliage here is simply on fire during the autumn months.

Don't sleep on the other seasons, though. In spring, the forest floor is blanketed in wildflowers - trillium, bloodroot, columbine. And winter highlights the stark beauty of the park's rock formations.

That's why any season is perfect for pitching a tent at one of Wildcat Den's 19 nonelectric campsites. Drinking water is available, however, there are no showers, and bathroom facilities are primitive. It's really a wonderful place for a rustic weekend getaway into the outdoors.

While Wildcat Den State Park is in the extreme eastern part of the state (Iowa doesn't get much farther east than this), I think it's worth the trip from wherever you hang your hat. For more information or to make camping reservations, visit Wildcat Den State Park on the DNR website. If you're among the hardy souls who choose to camp between November 1 and March 31, no reservations are required - just walk on in. I recommend AllTrails Plus for robust maps of and information about the park's trails. Be sure to pass through nearby Muscatine on your way to or from the park, so you can grab a classic Iowa loose meat sandwich at the Muscatine Maid-Rite (make mine with mustard and onions, please!).

What's your favorite time of year to camp - and have you camped at Wildcat Den State Park? Be sure to let us know int he comments, and tell us all about your favorite year-round campgrounds in Iowa!