Major city · United States
Marquette, IowaMarquette
Half a day to one night: use Marquette as the base for Effigy Mounds National Monument and the Mississippi River views. The town itself is a 10-minute walk.
Marquette is a 400-person town on the Mississippi River in northeast Iowa, best known as the gateway to Effigy Mounds National Monument. The town has a casino, a county park with camping, and a handful of eateries. Most visitors come for the mounds, then leave. One night works if you want to fish or gamble.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some facilities closed)
- Airports
- DBQ · CID
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Marquette, Iowa911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Clayton County Sheriff (non-emergency)563-245-2422
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Marquette, Iowa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyMarquette is a very safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 563-245-2422 Clayton County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDBQ Dubuque Regional Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive south on US-52 and US-18.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$12–25
- Street or quick mealLunch (sandwich or burger)$8–14
- BeerBeer (pint)$4–6
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DBQ Dubuque Regional Airport (About 1 h 15 min drive south on US-52 and US-18.) · CID Eastern Iowa Airport (Cedar Rapids) (About 2 h drive southwest.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Marquette, Iowa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
7 rd
Feb
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is walkable (the main street is about 1 km), but Effigy Mounds is 5 km north and has no public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Effigy Mounds National Monument
goDoor to door: 10 min
Drive north on US-18 / IA-76, about 5 min
The main reason to visit Marquette. Allow 2–3 hours for the trails.
Door to door: 35 min
Drive west on US-52, about 30 min
Norwegian heritage, Vesterheim Museum, and the Upper Iowa River.
Spillville
goDoor to door: 30 min
Drive west on US-52, then north on IA-325, about 25 min
Home of the Bily Clocks Museum and the St. Wenceslaus Church.
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
goDoor to door: 10 min
Cross the Mississippi River bridge (US-18 east), about 5 min
Historic Fort Crawford, Villa Louis, and the Wisconsin River.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Marquette town centre
A few motels and inns; walk to the casino and river.
Bloody Run County Park
Primitive camping (tent or small RV) about 5 min north of town; pit toilets, no hookups.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Effigy Mounds National Monument entry (per vehicle)1 × US$0 · check | US$0 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$34 |
| Trip total≈ US$187 per person per day, bed included | US$374 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch (sandwich or burger) | $8–14 |
| Dinner entrée | $12–25 |
| Beer (pint) | $4–6 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Effigy Mounds National Monument is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
- The park has no food or drink for sale; bring water and snacks.
- Mississippi River flooding can close roads in spring; check conditions before you go.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Clayton County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 563-245-2422
Pocket card
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Marquette, IowaMarquette
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Clayton County Sheriff (non-emergency)563-245-2422
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Washington, DC. For international visitors, consular services are in Chicago (about 3.5 h drive).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Marquette → Effigy Mounds (car): 5 min, free parking
- Marquette → Decorah (car): 30 min, about 30 km (19 mi)30 min, about 19 mi (30 km)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (where is the restroom)
English is the only language spoken in the area.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Marquette, Iowa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some facilities closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Effigy Mounds National Monument, Bloody Run County Park, Casino Queen Marquette.
- Eat pages for the few restaurants in town.
- Seasonal closure fixtures for the monument and park.
Sources
Ask about Marquette, Iowa
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