Facilities & Rental Information

STARR'S CAVE NATURE CENTER OFFERS...

• Leopold Loft meeting room

• Basement classroom

• Amphitheater & camp fire ring

• Picnic shelter & BBQ Grill

• A/V equipment & PA system

• Complete kitchen facilities

• Full handicap accessibility to all areas

• Heated & air conditioned

• Indoor & outdoor restrooms

• Two miles of hiking trails 

RENTING STARR'S CAVE NATURE CENTER

No other conference facility in southeast Iowa offers the range of services and low prices that you'll find at Starr's Cave Nature Center. Set in the middle of a 180-acre State Preserve just minutes from downtown Burlington, the nature center is the perfect setting for retreats, office parties, training seminars, and family events.

Starr's Cave Park & Preserve has two miles of trail, including a paved, wheelchair-accessible loop. In the winter, rent our cross-country skis for a quiet glide through the forest. In the warmer months, our rock climbing wall provides a fun challenge for birthday parties or corporate team-building. Enjoy an outdoor picnic or roast marshmallows over a campfire. Starr's Cave combines top-notch indoor facilities with the best Mother Nature has to offer.

MEETINGS, SEMINARS, & WORKSHOPS

Tired of constant interruptions during important meetings? Need to have a meeting away from ringing phones? Leopold Loft has all your conference needs: ample seating in theater or meeting set-up, modern A/V and PA equipment, and handicap accessibility. Several local caterers are ready to handle anything from box lunches to sit-down dinners.

PARTIES & PICNICS

Planning a holiday party bigger than your house can hold? Need a new setting for the church picnic? Starr's Cave Nature Center is great for group functions either inside or out. It's a great place for everything from birthday parties to family reunions.

RENTAL RATES

$50.......Up to a Half day

$100.....full day

$10........picnic shelter rental. The shelter may be used free of charge at a first come first served basis. However, the $10 payment guarantees the shelter will be available.

WEDDINGS IN THE PARK

$75........wedding in the Park (does not include building or picnic shelter rental fees)

RENTAL DOCUMENTS

• Renter's Checklist 
• Starr's Cave Nature Center Rental Contract 
• Starr's Cave Park & Preserve Wedding Rental Contract  

STARR'S CAVE CONCERT SERIES

The Starr's Cave Concert Series has been going for 28-some years. Quality folk performers from all over the world request to play at Starr's Cave. The very first concerts began as house concerts in the old limestone house next to Starr's Cave Nature Center. As attendance grew, the venue was moved next door to Starr's Cave Nature Center. Concerts are now held on the third floor of the nature center, otherwise known as Leopold Loft.

Concerts are held on a Friday night once a month from September through April. Doors open at 7 pm with concerts beginning at 7:30 pm. Admission is $10 for adults and $2 for students and those under 18. All proceeds go to performers. Refreshments are served at intermission.

CROSS COUNTRY SKI RENTAL

We have skis, boots, and poles to outfit skiers as young as toddlers up through adults. We offer a free mini cross country skiing lesson to those who would like help getting started. Skis are rented out only when there is 4" or more of quality snow on the ground. Use the skis in any of our parks or wherever else you'd like such as on your property or out of town to a place where there are groomed cross country ski trails.

Please be sure to call the nature center before your visit as the nature center may be closed during scheduled rental hours when staff is out teaching environmental education programs. To find out more about ski rental, contact Starr's Cave Nature Center at 319- 753-5808.

RENTAL RATES

$8/day

$15/weekend

$50/ full season*

WEEKDAY RENTAL HOURS

Monday - Friday

8:30 am - 4 pm

Last ski rental of the day is at 3 pm.

SATURDAY RENTAL HOURS

The nature center is open only on Saturdays in the winter if there is 4" or more of quality snow on the ground.

Saturday

10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Last ski rental of the day is at 2 pm.

*for full season rentals, skis are kept with the renter up to March 9th. Only a limited number of skis are available to rent for a full season. Fees will be charged to overdue skis.

FISHING POLE RENTAL

Want to go fishing but don't have a pole? You can borrow one from Starr's Cave Nature Center. Individuals, scouting groups, church groups, etc. are all welcome to borrow our poles to use at their fishing events.