Searching for the best camping near Hawarden, IA? Hawarden is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Hawarden, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Newton Hills State Park's unique dark forest, amidst a vast open prairie, has prompted many legends, including buried gold, robbers' hideouts and horse thieves. But visitors today recognize it as a great place to camp, swim, hike and fish. The park also plays host to folk music concerts and the popular FestiFall in October. The Newton Hills Lodge, built in 1915, served as the historic caretaker's home in Canton, SD, and played an important role in serving the healthcare needs of a variety of patients before being opened to guests. It can sleep up to 12 people and has four bedrooms and two baths. Like the lodge, camping cabins are open year-round. Each cabin accommodates 4 people with a set of bunk beds and a double bed. Both RV and tent sites are available, as well as horse camp sites. A boat ramp, beach and fishing dock let you enjoy water activities at Newton Hills State Park.
$22 - $26 / night
Riverfront Campground has 20 first-come, first-served campsites
Ponca's scenic pet-friendly Riverfront Campground offers spectacular views of the Missouri River and the rollings hills and bluffs that line it. This smaller RV campground sports just 20 sites, each with 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups but no water or sewer connections. Fire rings and picnic tables are available at all sites, and the campground also has a modern restroom.
Riverfront Campground is open year-round, but some facilities are closed during the off-season All sites here are reservable up to one year in advance. with unfilled sites going on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Lazy H Campground is a private campground where family and fun are a way of life. This new 235 acre campground is nestled between the Big Sioux River and the northern entrance of the scenic Loess Hills Byway in northwest Iowa. This picturesque campground features private cabins and spacious RV sites on Little Pearle Lake, a 50-acre fisherman’s haven stocked with freshwater fish, miles of hiking/biking trails, water activities and more.
$45 - $65 / night
Come do some old-school camping, biking, kayaking, and fishing at one of our historic community parks.
$18 - $30 / night
Situated in the scenic Le Mars Municipal Park, campers have access to all the park facilities including sand volleyball, tennis courts, shelter house, swimming beach, a 3.6 acre spring fed pond, and located next to the Willow Creek 27-Hole Golf Course.
Campers can also enjoy the newly renovated Historic Campground Club House and Restroom/Shower Facility (see slideshow above).
NOTE: Storm Shelter located in the Club House basement during inclement weather.
Newton Hills State Park's unique dark forest, amidst a vast open prairie, has prompted many legends, including buried gold, robbers' hideouts and horse thieves. But visitors today recognize it as a great place to camp, swim, hike and fish. The park also plays host to folk music concerts and the popular FestiFall in October. The Newton Hills Lodge, built in 1915, served as the historic caretaker's home in Canton, SD, and played an important role in serving the healthcare needs of a variety of patients before being opened to guests. It can sleep up to 12 people and has four bedrooms and two baths. Like the lodge, camping cabins are open year-round. Each cabin accommodates 4 people with a set of bunk beds and a double bed. Both RV and tent sites are available, as well as horse camp sites. A boat ramp, beach and fishing dock let you enjoy water activities at Newton Hills State Park.
$22 - $26 / night
Riverfront Campground has 20 first-come, first-served campsites
Ponca's scenic pet-friendly Riverfront Campground offers spectacular views of the Missouri River and the rollings hills and bluffs that line it. This smaller RV campground sports just 20 sites, each with 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups but no water or sewer connections. Fire rings and picnic tables are available at all sites, and the campground also has a modern restroom.
Riverfront Campground is open year-round, but some facilities are closed during the off-season All sites here are reservable up to one year in advance. with unfilled sites going on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Lazy H Campground is a private campground where family and fun are a way of life. This new 235 acre campground is nestled between the Big Sioux River and the northern entrance of the scenic Loess Hills Byway in northwest Iowa. This picturesque campground features private cabins and spacious RV sites on Little Pearle Lake, a 50-acre fisherman’s haven stocked with freshwater fish, miles of hiking/biking trails, water activities and more.
$45 - $65 / night
Come do some old-school camping, biking, kayaking, and fishing at one of our historic community parks.
Ranger
We found the Scenic Park RV Campground when we were looking for a spot to stay close to Sioux City, IA for a sports event for our sons. We were extremely happy with this city run campground.
The pads are in great shape. They offer full hookups. We did not have a full hookup site, but still had water, electric, and free cable tv. The view from our camper of the Missouri River and the Sioux City skyline was pretty great.
The staff is friendly and welcoming. The location is quiet and everyone staying there seemed very nice as well. Will definitely be back when we’re up that way again next year.
Guide
This was a wonderful spot. Lots of really nice short hikes down by the water which was really beautiful with the cliffs on the water. Sites were very nice and clean. We were able to get a site on a Friday night last minute by calling ahead.
Guide
In another 4-5 years when the trees have grown and this is better maintained, it could be a nice campground. Sadly, our trip there started with the Google directions leading us to the wrong side of the highway and a muddy, bumpy road. I called and they gave me correct directions. Once there, no office, no staff. I called because the site I had reserved was occupied. They said just pick any other. We paid for lake side, but it was too muddy in the other available sites. We were not offered a refund ($5). We saw several dogs off leash and, while they were well-behaved, one never knows if they will stay where they belong.
It was quiet at night. We stayed on a Saturday night.
Guide
Had a grassy & shady tent site. There were vault/pit toilets close and regular restrooms with showers a little walk away (showers needed to be cleaned). Water spigot was close by too. Wish we had more time to explore the park itself because there was lots of hiking/waking trails. Overall no complaints
Scout
This place is so cool! The falls was constructed during the Great Depression by the WPA, and the visitors center is made from the same pink quartz that lines the river. Really cool kayaking into Devils Gulch and up the Split Rock Creek. Will return to this nicely kept State Park. Gas station in town is quaint but has a public restroom and some basic supplies. Really lovely town. Falls lull you to sleep at night and the trains passing by are really neat to hear. Trains will go by till around midnight.
Guide
I found this on Campendium and google maps. It's a great little free park where you basically just park wherever. No designated spots, just park in the grass. The grass was not overgrown or anything, and there's a great little paved path that leads into town. Verizon cell service was pretty good and the park itself wasn't too crowded either. I imagine that the local county maintains it. Also tons of mulberry trees around! And be sure to go into town and pick up a breakfast sandwich and some donuts in the morning, it's a lovely walk in.
TravelerTotally new entrance with easy access to new section that will handle larger RVs with toads. Open area with no shade but easy placement for satellite reception on RV or ground. New hard surface roads with gravel sites.
Ranger
Went to visit friends in SD. Park is clean and well kept. Right off the highway.
Legend
This is a very nice stop over. Sites 1 - 4 have water, electric (50, 30, 15 amp) and sewer. Those sites go for $25.00 per day. Dotes 5 - 6 are electric only and are infill sun. Site 7 is electric but has a sewer site as well. Shade found in sites 1 - 4. It is best to call ahead and make reservations. This campground stays busy.
Legend
This is a 3 site campground. 7 day maximum stay. No water, no garbage. 30 - 15 amp service only. Sites 1 and 2 are shaded until mid afternoon. Site 1 is shaded late afternoon. Locals bring their dogs out to "run." They don't pick up after, so watch your step. We are ¼ mile from highway and semi's Jake break a good deal, so it's quite until they go through. For a one lighter, this is a good cheap place to stop.
Legend
They have just recently added 4 more sites. Sites hVe 50 - 30 - 15 amp connections. Bathrooms ate across the playground. Showers at the swimming pool. Picnic house (open) has 15, 110 outlets. Site 3 offers most sun protection. The rest of the sites are sunny all day. Playground is very large for such a small village. Disk golf is also found here.
Legend
This is a nice clean campground. Full hookups. 50 - 30 - 15 amp service. Can be noisy next to busy city street. Large shade trees line between the 6 sites offered. Grills at each site, but no open fires allowed. Long cemented drives great for large rigs.
Scout
There are 8 spots at this campground for RVs to tents.
Scout
Drove over tonight excited for my stay at this neat looking park. Unfortunately it appears that the June 2024 flood damaged the campground and it’s currently closed for repair.
Scout
This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!
The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one. Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!
Highly recommend!
TravelerWe booked this site last minute as we needed a place to stop for the night. The website was pretty easy to use to book the site. The ranger at the station was super friendly and helpful. Our camp site is beautiful and there is plenty of room. There are lots of trails here, so I got a good run in. My husband biked over to Brandon to get a good ride. There is a sweet disc golf course too! I’m mad I didn’t bring my discs!
RangerLevel spots with electric. Has a nice bike bath and is very peaceful.
Legend
This place is great. Water available. 15, 30 amp service for free. Location is in city limits. No dump site. Great stop over location. Nearby traffic can seem heavy at times.
LegendCAMPING IS NOW ONLY ALLOWED BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY. NO WINTER CAMPING IS ALLOWED ANY LONGER.
Gunderson Park is a nice little boondocking location just ½ mile from the downtown area of Centerville. They have 2 fire pit locations, but, after speaking with the official at city hall we found out you can camp pretty much anywhere in the park you would like.
It is free to camp here, you can stay virtually as long as you wish to according to that same official. There are no hook-ups. No bathroom facilities. No picnic tables. No playground for children. You may fish with a South Dakota license in the lazy rolling Vermillion River that skirts the park on 3 sides. They have a cement boat ramp. I will say when we stayed there the river was so low you would have had great difficulties getting a boat launched. On the west side of the park there are park benches at the beginning (or end of the walk depending on your start location) with a cemented walk way along the road to the park and the Vermillion River. It runs close to a quarter mile long with benches about half way through the walk. The city keeps this park mowed during the summer months. This is an old old park dating back to 1800's. The trees are massive and just as old providing beautiful shade. There are remnants of old stone items remaing in the park, grape vine thingy, a stone fireplace and pillars. Our stay favored us with Bald Eagle sightings. 2 hung around the trees on the other side of the river in full view, it was wonderful.
At the city park you can dump your tanks. We didn't need to so we didn't visit this location. At the four way stop sign located at the center of the town, turn west, travel one block and on the south side of the street you will find city hall. There they will tell you how to find the dump site.
This seems to be a favorite location for locals to drive through. Sometimes we found traffic through the park on the heavy side but most of the time very quiet. People are small town friendly. Population is around 900 people. Town has a grocery store, convenience store, bank, medical clinic, pharmacy, restaurant, bowling alley, auto parts store, bakery and other businesses. We noticed 4 churches in our drive around the town. At the city park they have a community swimming pool, Frisbee golf, 2 ball diamonds, tennis courts, playground equipment, volleyball courts, 2 picnic house areas and a location for 4 RV campsites with electrical plug ins [2 50 amp and 2 30 amp) for $10.00 a night with limited stay.
Ranger
Nice little city campground just a few miles off the interstate and right next to the Missouri River. Quiet large sites at a reasonable price. Picnic tables and fire rings. Water and electric only....there is a sewer dump near the bathrooms but not at the sites.
TravelerGreat place very dog friendly. Spots are spacious and on pavement. Close to the river for your fishing needs.
Scout
Has a new pool, very nice staff, well maintained.
LegendSpacious site well cared for grounds. Close to everything in the city.
GuideIt is a beautiful little park. Good place for kayaking or fishing. I was just there to camp. The park is small. There are no showers or toilets, just outhouses, and they were a good distance for me to walk being disabled. If you have T-Mobile, there is absolutely NO service.
Traveler
Small park, peaceful, river access for canoe/kayak. No designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper.
Traveler
Small park, has some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can. Says you can pay to camp but no designated camp sites and limited parking. Does offer access for canoe/kayaking on the river. Camping is $10 a night, pay on site.
Guide
Electric, water, and dump station available here. In the trees, shaded, and a short walk along a pleasant trail to the Missouri River. The trail system, which is accessible from campground, is great. We were in site 18, which is near the playground. In busier months, that part of the campground could get loud.
Camping near Hawarden, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping near Hawarden, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hawarden, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hawarden, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 87 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 Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 11 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.
What parks are near Hawarden, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 0 parks near Hawarden, IA that allow camping, notably Conestoga Lake and Saylorville Lake.
