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Campgrounds near Hawarden, Iowa include a mix of county, city, and state park facilities offering varied camping experiences. Newton Hills State Park, located about 20 miles northwest in Canton, South Dakota, provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with electric hookups and modern amenities. Closer to town, Hawarden City Park Campground offers basic RV and tent sites with electric hookups and water access. Several campgrounds in the area feature shaded sites, including Oak Grove Park with its Turkey Ridge and Deer Run campgrounds, which provide electric hookups and accommodate both tent and RV camping.
Access to campgrounds in the Hawarden region remains consistent throughout much of the year, with several facilities operating seasonally from April through October. Rivers Bend Campground in Rock Valley, approximately 15 miles northeast of Hawarden, maintains a May to October season with full hookup sites and cabin options. Most campgrounds in the area offer electric hookups, though water and sewer connections vary by location. The terrain is generally flat with some wooded areas, particularly along the Big Sioux River which forms the border between Iowa and South Dakota. "Decent size spots with lakefront views at just about all of them. There is a swimming hole with a little beach and walking/bike trail," noted one visitor about Rivers Bend Campground.
Campers report high satisfaction with water-adjacent sites throughout the region. The Big Sioux River corridor provides scenic camping opportunities with several parks situated along its banks. Oak Grove Park features nature trails and educational facilities near its campgrounds. Most developed sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. Public restrooms and shower facilities are available at larger campgrounds like Newton Hills State Park and Rivers Bend, while smaller facilities may offer more basic amenities. Proximity to small towns means supplies are generally accessible, though cell service can be variable in more remote areas. Several campgrounds provide reservable sites, which is recommended during summer weekends when regional parks see higher visitation.
"There's a nice shower and bathroom and close proximity there's four and inside each one is a modern toilet sink and shower and lockable."
"all the tent sites are nicely in the woods but the main road goes pretty close to them. has some pretty decent trails too. shower house is very nice"
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability"The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city."
"Love this place very close to the major city of anything is needed. Nature and trails all around, lake for fishing and swimming, love to come out during the summer with the dogs!"
"Clean lake with boating. Private lake so no fishing license required."
"I believe you can even rent or request a golf cart to make getting around easier. The only regret I have is not staying longer. Truly a wonderful place.
Sprint/T-mobile data was around 56 Mbps down."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Larger CG has terraced sites with hard pads, tables, fire rings/ firewood, shaded spots, electric, horseshoes, nature center nearby."
from $27 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $15 / night
Check Availability"There is a swimming hole with a little beach and walking/bike trail. They have tent sites that you have to walk to but they are right on the water away from all of the RV sites."
"Only 4 stars due to neighbors leaving their dog outside barking constantly until they returned. Against park rules so maybe a one off. Water front on 80% of spots."
"We enjoyed all the trails that the city of Le Mars offers. The shower house was exceptionally clean. The campground itself was clean and well kept."
"The lake is clean and very pretty. The shower house is newly renovated and very nice. One of our favorite places to stay at!!!!"
"New seasonal County park and CG has standard sites, fire rings, tables, firewood, swimming beach, fishing, boating, hiking including access to Sioux Center's trail system, shelters, lodge, archery range"
"Great spot with a swimming lake, fishing lake, and hiking trails through the prairie. Less than three miles from town"
ScoutSimple city campground with a very friendly camp host. Has electric at site, water and dump available. Extensive recreational facilities behind the campground including sand pit, tennis courts and the city pool. Sites are in a big circle, so easy in and out. $20 daily fee.
GuideConvienent, clean, and great internet. Pool was nice, dog area is nice, but sites are close and I-90 is right there, so a lot of road noise. We knew that coming in so no big deal.
TravelerFacilities are what you would expect from KOA, for better (clean and functional) or worse (close to the highway and really not in nature)
ScoutOnly electric hookup for $25 a night. Cute spot next to the river with kayaking/swimming in walking distance.
ScoutLil bit of a Rough road but pretty good otherwise
TravelerWe just needed a place for the night as we were passing through and we hit the jackpot! It was so nice we almost stayed another night! It is a precious city park with a pool with life guard, play ground, basketball courts with adjustable goals, open shelters and screened shelters, concession stand during certain hours, bathrooms, separate bathrooms with showers during pool hours. There are only 10 camp sites, which are level gravel sites, which all back up to a beautiful grassy area where your picnic table is. Only 3 sites are shaded, but all have electric. There is potable water across from the middle sites. It is the cutest little Americana town and everyone we saw made us feel welcome.
GuideWe stayed at Bicentennial for three nights. Inexpensive but we got some weird smells in the area at night. Full hookups. No shower house or bathroom. This could be a very nice place if it was given a little more TLC.
ScoutThe campsites are asphalt paved. You have a nice little green grass area with picnic table. Only premium spots have campfire rings. Bathrooms and laundry are nicely maintained. It’s hit or miss if the main office is open but the staff is amazing and friendly. You get a lot of road noise and the airport is close by so you get plane noise from time to time. The campground is close to many attractions and eateries. They mow once a week and the power, water and septic is very close to your campsite which is nice. We stayed at site 219 which had a nice large tree for shade. Over all it’s 4/5 stars for us. We stayed here for 2.5 weeks.
TravelerA very nice and well kept campground a mile within the city limits. Five sites, new concrete, electricity and water for $10 a night, compared to the $34 ($24 non-Nebraska resident and $10 daily at a dump last night).
Vermillion is a very nice town to explore, as well. Home to Univ of SD, smack in the middle of a town of 6,000, with Main St of three blocks of restaurants and businesses, and nothing boarded up!
Camping sites near Hawarden, Iowa encompass the northwest region of the state and neighboring areas of South Dakota. Located in Sioux County where the average summer temperature reaches 85°F, the area's landscape features rolling hills along the Big Sioux River watershed with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,400 feet. The camping season typically runs April through October, with many locations closed during winter months due to Iowa's harsh winter conditions.
Hiking trails: Newton Hills State Park offers several hiking options through wooded terrain. "This beautiful park set just 9 miles south of Canton, SD has something for everyone. If you enjoy water activities, spend some time at Lake Lakota swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing! If land is more your style, enjoy the multiple hiking trails," notes Lisa H. from Newton Hills Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Many camping areas near Hawarden provide fishing access without requiring additional permits. At Sandy Hollow Park Campground, visitors can enjoy "a swimming lake, fishing lake, and hiking trails through the prairie. Less than three miles from town," according to Miranda M.
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds maintain designated swimming areas with beach amenities. "The lake is clean and very pretty. The shower house is newly renovated and very nice," writes Kaila about Willow Creek Campground, which features a swimming pond separate from fishing areas.
Modern facilities: Many campgrounds have updated their amenities in recent years. Union Grove State Park Campground impressed visitors with its "immaculate" facilities, as one camper noted: "Definitely one of the cleanest most well kept campgrounds I've seen in a while. Shower rooms/bathrooms are immaculate, and smell so nice."
Family-friendly layouts: Rivers Bend Campground arranges sites to maximize lake views. "Decent size spots with lakefront views at just about all of them. There is a swimming hole with a little beach and walking/bike trail. They have tent sites that you have to walk to but they are right on the water away from all of the RV sites," shares Kaitlin B.
Recreational diversity: Many locations offer multiple outdoor activities in one setting. James M. describes Sandy Hollow Park Campground as having "standard sites, fire rings, tables, firewood, swimming beach, fishing, boating, hiking including access to Sioux Center's trail system, shelters, lodge, archery range. Playground, canoe/kayak rentals."
Site spacing varies significantly: While some campgrounds offer privacy, others place sites close together. At Willow Creek Campground, Mallory S. found that "Site 42 is on the beach side which is the newer part of the campground, it's one of the full hookup ones by the sidewalk. It was level and had some shade; sites are average size."
Shade availability: Tree coverage differs between campgrounds and even within the same park. "Many campsites are almost full sun—so have your shade structure ready. Evenings very peaceful," advises Sally C. about Newton Hills State Park.
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate on first-come basis. Sandy Hollow has "3 Reservable full hook ups, otherwise first come," according to Donald N.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Union Grove State Park Campground, campers have "Site was perfect for both an RV or a tent. They offer tent, back in, or pull through. We tent camped at a back in site across from both the play area and the shower rooms."
Swimming amenities: Many locations have developed beach areas with additional features. Lazy H Campground offers unique water attractions as Bryan R. describes: "The beach has giant floating lily pads that the kids loved. There are showers on the beach to wash off feet after you're done swimming."
Nature education: Oak Grove Park provides environmental learning opportunities near its camping areas. Both Turkey Ridge and Deer Run campgrounds offer access to the nature center, and James M. notes the park has "terraced sites with hard pads, tables, fire rings/ firewood, shaded spots, electric, horseshoes, nature center nearby."
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electric, but full-service sites are limited. Rock Valley BiCentennial Park Campground provides "full hookups" though it's a small facility with "only 6 spots," according to Tiffany K.
Site dimensions: Concrete pads and pull-through sites are available at some locations. Charles M. found Willow Creek Campground to be "a real find in the middle of corn and soybean country" with power, water and WiFi for $20 in the old section.
Seasonal considerations: Most RV parks in the area operate between April and October. Willow Creek Campground runs from "April 15 to October 15" and offers 62 RV spots with concrete pads; half have electric and water while the other half include sewer hookups as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hawarden, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hawarden, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 92 campgrounds and RV parks near Hawarden, IA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hawarden, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hawarden, IA is Union Grove State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hawarden, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Hawarden, IA.
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