Decorah, Iowa - Ice Cave - Frozen in Summer

About 12 years ago, some of my friends and I went to a cave called the Ice Cave in Iowa. The writer of the tip is right...no one is there. But we had to CRAWL on our hands and knees, and it was pitch black in there without a flashlight on. We could not even see our hands right in front of our faces. The walls are covered in ice...it is a fantastic sight...to be in the dark like that and shine a flashlight on a wall of ice. It was like looking at a giant diamond bigger than all of us. We did eventually come to an area where it was possible to stand up, and there was a hole to drop down to another area. I didn't go down to that part but a couple of my friends did. There wasn't much room for four of us to turn around and crawl back out. It was quite an adventure! I would advise taking knee pads if you decide to explore this cave. [Lindy, 02/18/2009]

Just down the street from Dunnings Springs (another roadside attraction -- probably Iowa's most breathtaking waterfall) you will find a sight with a wooden plaque which describes Iowa's only ice cave!In the middle of July and August (the hottest months of the year), with the temperatures in the 100 degree range, you can walk inside the cave and touch walls covered with ice. There are no lines -- in fact, if you go there you will probably be the only ones there. But trust me, it will be worth the trip! [paul hein, 08/31/2006]