Bring your camera for the Grist Mill. Total distance of this, single use, Loop Trail hike is 4.1 miles and may not be suitable for smaller children, mainly because of its length. The Lower Picnic Area Trail, Steamboat Rock and Devils Punch Bowl are all suitable for smaller children who want to explore.
The trails are crushed stone, four to five feet in width. Trails are well marked and maintained. A portion of the boundary Trail is grass and is kept mowed and this trail, at times, is up to eight feet in width. The trails meander through woods and sandstone cliffs. Picnic facilities are available in the Grist Mill area and the Lower Picnic area; this includes tables and grills. Playground equipment is located in the area of the Grist Mill.
Check out the park map at https://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/parks/parkmaps/wildcatdenmap.pdf
The main trailhead is located just across the street from the Grist Mill parking lot and is marked with a sign. There are several other parking location throughout the park where you can access the different trails within the parks boundary. All parking is free. Campsites are available for reservations and a certain number of campsites are on a first come, first serve basic. There is a fee for camping.
The Pine Creek Grist Mill is open Wednesday-Sunday 12:30-4:30 Memorial Day to Labor Day. Located near the Grist Mill is a “turn of the Century” Schoolhouse and the schoolhouse is open 12:30-4:30 May through September. Bring your camera for photos of the Mill and dam.
During the summer months and warm weekends the park can become crowded in the late morning to afternoon especially on holidays. Most of the crowds are families with children and they do congregate in the area of Grist Mill and the Lower Picnic Area and the Lower Picnic Area Trail. From the lower Picnic Area you can access Lower Picnic Trail, Devils Punch Bowl and Steamboat Rock. The Devils Punch Bowl and Steamboat Rock are popular areas. The park boundary trail is rarely crowded.
No permits are required except for camping
All trails are good for dogs, but dogs must remain on-leash