“a flagship nature center”
The Hitchcock Nature Center exists to develop and foster appreciation and understanding of the Loess Hills as a globally significant landform through land management, environmental education and low-impact recreation. Acquired by Pottawattamie County in 1991, Hitchcock Nature Center (HNC) currently consists of 1274 acres located in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills. The Loess Hills harbor some of the largest remaining prairie remnants in Iowa and provide refuge for plants and animals found nowhere else in the state. Hitchcock is open every day of the year for hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching, snow sledding, star gazing, or simply enjoying nature.
Reviews of Hitchcock Nature Center RV Campground
22 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G/5G
Confirmed by 9 users | Last reported on July 22, 2023AT&T 4G/5G
Confirmed by 4 users | Last reported on August 02, 2023T-Mobile 4G
Confirmed by 2 users | Last reported on September 05, 2021Hitchcock nature center is a must stop if you're in the area. The park is easy to find with good signs. There is rv camping and tent camp available. The prices are very inexpensive and a day pass is only two dollars if you just want to stop by and have a picnic. The area is gorgeous and there are lots of hiking trails. The trails are well marked. There is a map at the trailhead and markers at each trail intersection that show the distance and difficulty of that stretch of trail as well as the direction of important areas like the lodge and campground. The trails are wide and well maintained. There is even a short wheelchair accessible trail. I went when it wasn't busy but the WiFi was surprisingly very good. I was able to stream a show on my tablet. The only minus to my stay was that the showers were not the cleanest, but they were hot!
After attempting to call the camp host and not receiving an answer, we drove our 40'er + towed up here to see if there were any sites available over Easter weekend.
There were not any spots open.
The park appeared decently maintained, with lots of kids wandering around. Sites appeared level, and most appeared capable of handling a 40' rig.
Nightly Rate: $15.00
Days Stayed: 0
Site Number: -
There are two areas .. one for RV camping and another down the road for tent camping. RV sites, as typical, are close together but fairly level. Saw many big rigs. Nice shower facility in RV area. Tent camping requires some work. Parking and a vault toilet are on the road level and numerous tent pads, tables and fire rings are down a steep hill, so you have to carry your gear down and up the hill a ways. Tent sites are fairly private. Campground hosts (RV level) are super nice. They sell firewood. They will often drive their ATV down the hill to the tent sites in the evening to sell wood
Nightly Rate: -
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: -
I will rate every Pott County campground a 5. They are very nice well taken care of. The staff are always friendly and helpful. This is the best of the Pott county campgrounds so you better come up early to get a spot. They are always full for a reason.
Nightly Rate: $15.00
Days Stayed: 4
Site Number: 6
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
Beautiful county park with pull through sites just steps from the trail head. Perfect place to relax after a cross-country drive.
Nightly Rate: $15.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 15
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
We stopped for one night on a south-north trip up I-29, but easily could have spent a longer time here. It is in the Loess Hills area of Iowa which was absolutely beautiful. The nature center consists of a "lodge" which was an education center (exhibits closed due to Covid-19), an observation tower with 360 degree views, and a variety of trails with some good elevation gain and loss.
The campground is slightly apart from the "lodge" and has about 18 sites that are 50 amp electric only. There is a place to get water and a dump. The sites are gravel and back-in and level. Trails can be accessed from the lower loop of the campground. Verizon was good without a booster in the lower loop and there is free wi-fi available that works at least in the upper loop (didn't try it in lower loop).
Campsites are first-come, first served and check-out is 5 pm. Check-in is self serve and requires check or cash to drop in the drop-box. There are some tree branches to be wary of in the campground.
Nightly Rate: $15.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 14
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
A delightful County nature park, not far from I-80. Great hiking, surprisingly big hills and stunning views. Dog friendly and electric for cheap!
Nightly Rate: $15.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 6
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
Found this place got here fit my 33ft trailer in the site easily.
Nightly Rate: $15.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 13
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
T-Mobile 4G
Nice little campground just off freeway but no noise except for the birds. It was first come first serve. We called about 2pm and asked the Ranger how it was looking and he said no problem so we went on in. There were about 6 spaces when we arrived and they were full by 8 pm. We went to nature center and climbed the tower. This is a must. Spectacular views. Also walked the boardwalk. The birds are plentiful and loud! Could have used some mowing around camp. Lower level had more trees but seemed more crowded. Larger sites on top level. Lots of hiking. Bridges birth of camp near Loveland have limited heights. Must enter through Crescent or take gravel Sumac Rd. If you have rig over 12' got sure. One tunnel at 8' but not sure which side of freeway. Actually had free wifi that worked.
Nightly Rate: $25.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 6
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
First come first serve. We stayed here one night on our way across the country. We arrived after 9pm/after hours and were able to easily pay via the deposit box ($25) and pick any site available. Clean bathhouse with hot showers. Very quiet, gravel sites with picnic tables.
Nightly Rate: $25.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 4
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Hitchcock Nature Center RV Campground
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- Other public land (TVA, DOD, county parks with campgrounds)
- Last Nightly Rate
- 25.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 41.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 0.0
- Sites Count
- 18
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Potable Water
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Standard Tent Sites
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Water Hookup
Campground, Parking, Restrooms
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