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Camping near Hawarden, IA

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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.

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    Best Campgrounds near Hawarden (91)

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      1. Union Grove State Park Campground

      4.1(14)16mi from HawardenRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Trails in the area give you a chance to stretch your legs. Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise if you are not in a hard sided camper."

      from $10 - $15 / night

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      2. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park

      4.6(11)16mi from HawardenRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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!"

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      3. Lazy H Campground

      4.6(7)13mi from HawardenRVs, Cabins

      "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

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      4. Deer Run Campground, Oak Grove Park

      4.0(1)4mi from HawardenRVs, Tents

      "Larger CG has terraced sites with hard pads, tables, fire rings/ firewood, shaded spots, electric, horseshoes, nature center nearby."

      from $27 / night

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      5. Turkey Ridge Campground, Oak Grove Park

      3.0(1)4mi from HawardenRVs, Tents

      from $25 / night

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      6. Hawarden City Park Campground

      2.0(1)0mi from HawardenRVs, Tents

      from $15 / night

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      7. Rivers Bend Campground

      4.3(4)17mi from HawardenRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

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      8. Willow Creek Campground

      4.7(6)21mi from HawardenRVs, Tents

      "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!!!!"

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      9. Sandy Hollow Park Campground

      4.3(3)19mi from HawardenRVs, Tents

      "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"

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      10. Rock Valley BiCentennial Park Campground

      5.0(1)17mi from HawardenRVs
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    Recent Camping Photos near Hawarden, IA

    63 Photos of 91 Hawarden Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Hawarden, IA

    377 Reviews of 91 Hawarden Campgrounds

    • Kelly S.
      Jun. 17, 2026

      Palisades State Park Campground

      Outstanding Facility

      Our favorite spot to date! Spacious, immaculate bathhouse, well-designed dump station, lengthy lots. We will be talking about this spot for a long time.

    • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 16, 2026

      Tower Campground

      Ok for a night

      This is a moderate size rv park. (90-100 sites) Half are on an asphalt lot, half in a shaded grass area. Some are pull through but those in the grassy area are backin. Full hookups. 30/50 amp. Very nice Bathroom/Showers, laundry, (but no bathroom tissue !) Dog park,dump station. We didn’t see anyone from the park during our stay. No one in the office! Very bright obnoxious flood lights all night and lots of road noise made sleeping difficult! If I’m in the area again I would find somewhere else!

    • Sue S.
      Jun. 16, 2026

      Union Grove State Park Campground

      Very clean and quiet camping

      The campsites are in a bunch of pine trees and so that cuts down a lot on the weather if there's an issue it's got nice breezes but it gets cold cold at night like down in the 50s. I'm camping in a tent with my cat and dog and my cat likes to roam free a little bit and there's only I think about 20 campsites here and they're both from tent sides to a full-on RVs. 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. The only complaint that I have is that a lot of the campsite spots are at an angle not only to get down to it from the road but an angle for the tent and the pine needles cover the ground which make great starting for fires they burn so fast and so quick that you feel like you're in a tinder box a little bit which is kind of spooky if there's a spark that goes flying it could actually set the whole campfire on a blaze. There is a nice camping pit this is a steak Campground and so able to get campsites for $16 a night. The people that are on staff here are so sweet give you lots of good advice for what's close by there is it's right between Beresford and vermilion so that's like 10 miles each way but there's no ice here so you would have to drive to one of those facilities to get the ice and by the time you got back would probably be melted to be honest with you so that's the only drawback so I would suggest dry ice for sure. There's a children's playground here for kids it would be something I guess you know very fun to go and be explorers in the woods I don't think there's much chance of them getting too lost really. But all in all this is a really good place to stay I've been here six nights now and I've only got a couple more to go and then I'll be moving on.

    • Selite2 The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 16, 2026

      Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

      Peaceful, well-kept location

      As a campground in general, beautiful and peaceful; however, staff seem a bit impatient and more caring about catering to campers who are visiting for local events.

    • Scott C.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 31, 2026

      Union Grove State Park Campground

      Pretty but expensive

      Very pretty campground very quiet and peaceful. Only down side is the cost ! For an out of state traveler you have to pay $15 entry fee then an additional $67.71 to camp that seems a lot for a site that has electricity only. The overall campground is spotless and from what I read the bathrooms are very nice and clean.

    • RThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 27, 2026

      Union Grove State Park Campground

      Great hidden gem

      Only 20-25 electric sites, no water or sewer at sites. Minor inconvenience, water and dump station at entrance. Bathhouse was clean, had plenty of hot water Site 08E pull thru, easy in and out. Campground on hill top hidden in the trees.

    • AThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 16, 2026

      Elk Point City Park Campground

      Another city park gem

      We have grown fond of the city parks we have discovered in our travels - this is no exception. It has the added bonus of being an historical landmark for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Great looking park, walking paths, ball fields and an electrical hook up. Only $15. Total bargain.

    • William S.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 9, 2026

      Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping

      Perfectly Adequate

      The overall rec area is lovely. During the regular season, roughly May to mid October, there is running water and showers at some spots with vault toilets available year round. Horse trails and camping is available at Danish Alps as are primitive and electric spots. The electric is all designed for RV's, vans, or trucks, but there is sufficient space at each site that you can have a tent. The electric area is up on a hill overlooking the lake and there is absolutely no mature tree cover in the area. Trees have been planted, but it will be a long while before they provide much shade. Like most of Nebraska most of the time it does get windy and being on the hill the electric camp gets to feel it for good and ill. The town of Hubbard is right next to the rec area, but because of the way things are laid out you do not get as many people casually driving around at night like you do at some other places. Being in the vicinity of Sioux City and Dakota City there is some glow on the horizon at night.

      Verizon cell coverage was sufficient for streaming without buffering when camped there in September 2025.

    • WThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 8, 2026

      Tower Campground

      Clean and calm

      The campground is nice, well kept. As others noted the traffic noise can be a lot. That’s the only reason for a 4 rating

    Guide to Hawarden

    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.

    What to do

    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.

    What campers like

    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."

    What you should know

    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.

    Tips for camping with families

    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."

    Tips from RVers

    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 91 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 4.1-star rating from 14 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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