5 Waterfalls to Find in the QC

Located on the world-renowned Mississippi River, its Rock River tributary, and feeder creeks and streams, the QC understands the vital importance of our waterways as barge highways, water sources, and for recreation.  It’s always fun to discover hidden secret gems.  With the amount of snow that remained on the ground for so long this winter, hopefully it won’t be too hard to find these waterfalls in the Quad Cities region this spring. 

Devils Glen Park – Bettendorf, Iowa

You’ll find this small natural waterfall on Duck Creek where it flows down limestone bluffs.  Duck Creek is about 19 miles long and travels through Blue Grass, Davenport, Bettendorf, and Riverdale before emptying into the Mississippi River. 

Along the creek in Davenport and Bettendorf is the 12.2-mile Duck Creek Recreation Trail.  It runs parallel to the trail and can be accessed at many parks and trailheads, including Devils Glen Park and Veterans Memorial Park in Bettendorf and Duck Creek Park, Eastern Avenue Park, Garfield Park, Junge Park, Marquette Park, Northwest Park, and Emeis Park in Davenport.

Devils Glen Park has a public disc golf course and picnic areas.

(photo credit: Walter Schwan)

Marquette Park - Davenport, Iowa

You’ll find another small waterfall on Duck Creek just west of Marquette Park on the Duck Creek Recreation Trail.  It’s located before you get to Division Street.

Latitude: 41.55266413953142; Longitude: -90.59631345191194   (Not exact, but close)

Marquette Park has a playground and picnic shelters.

Wildcat Den State Park – Muscatine, Iowa

The park is known for its incredible cliffs, bluffs, caves and historic Grist Mill.  You’ll find a little waterfall created by Pine Creek Grist Mill.  Then there is also you can hike the trails to reach the Devil’s Punch Bowl.  The bowl-shaped area was formed over time as water poured over the bluff.  You’ll find a waterfall here too.  (The waterfall is not always flowing.  You’re more likely to see water flowing after a rain storm or in late winter/early spring when the snow is melting.)

Wildcat Den has 4 miles of varied hiking trails.  You go through forests, past 75-foot cliffs, and centuries old pine trees.  The variety of landforms supports over 300 species of plants including the rare oval ladies’-tresses orchid and many species of ferns.

A Grist mill is a facility where grain is ground into animal feed or flour. Grist mills were vital to the development of the Midwest. Without them the early settlers would not have been able to feed themselves or their livestock. Since every settler had to journey to the mill, they were a hub of many activities where families exchanged news and socialized.  At one time, Iowa had 500 grist mills.

Hennepin Canal, Illinois

The Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park is a 104.5 mile linear park spanning five Illinois Counties (Bureau, Henry, Lee, Rock Island, and Whiteside).  The Hennepin was the first American canal built of concrete without stone cut facings.  The canal was used as a training ground for engineers who later worked on the Panama Canal.  Both the Hennepin and Panama Canals used concrete lock chambers and a feeder canal from a manmade lake to water the canals because both needed water to flow uphill.

There are 33 locks on the canal.  All are now visible, but Lock #1 is only accessible on foot during the winter months; thick vegetation, the lack of a maintained towpath, and nearby private property prevent access during the summer.

Fourteen of the locks had Marshall gates, which are unique to the Hennepin, and were raised and lowered on a horizontal axis.  Five of the locks have been restored to working condition, although they are not used.  All the gates from the remaining locks have been replaced with concrete walls, creating a series of waterfalls.

Maquoketa Caves State Park – Maquoketa, Iowa

The 13 caves to explore are the park’s most memorable feature but you will find a waterfall on the Raccoon Creek.  There is a 7.62-mile trail system through the park taking you to the caves.  The rugged areas around the caves have been made more accessible with wooden stairs and boardwalks.

In summer months, naturalists conduct a White Nose Syndrome (WNA) Awareness Program for visitors before entering the caves. This program is required for anyone planning to explore the caves. 

Something Extra: Quad City Botanical Center – Rock Island, Illinois

The indoor tropical Sun Garden has a 14-foot waterfall that provides the needed sound as you relax in the warmth and admire the lush greenery at the Quad City Botanical Center.  The outdoor children’s garden is a representation of the Mississippi River so kiddos can create their own waterfalls.