118 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Hiawatha, Iowa provide access to both county and state-managed facilities within a 30-minute drive. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) and Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area offer established camping with various amenities for tent and RV campers. Several locations feature cabin options, including Pleasant Creek and Pinicon Ridge Park. The region contains a mix of developed campgrounds with electric hookups, shower facilities, and primitive sites like Wickiup Hill that cater to tent campers seeking a more natural experience. Most campgrounds are situated near bodies of water, offering recreational opportunities beyond camping.
Seasonal considerations impact availability, with many campgrounds operating from April through October. Wanatee Park, Morgan Creek Park, and Linn County's Morgan Creek Campground typically open mid-April and close by mid-October. Year-round options include Pinicon Ridge Park and several state recreation areas. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Half of Wanatee Park operates on a first-come, first-serve basis while the other half requires reservations. Water and electric hookups are common at most established sites, though amenities vary by location. According to one visitor, "Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping experience but still have work or other things to get done."
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront options and trails near many of the campgrounds. Pinicon Ridge Park receives positive reviews for its hiking trails, lookout tower, and family-friendly amenities. A visitor noted it as "a top notch County park and campground" with well-marked trails throughout the park. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area offers excellent water recreation with opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and boating. Tent sites at Pleasant Creek feature prairie flowers between sites for added privacy. Primitive camping at Wickiup Hill provides a more secluded experience with a short hike-in requirement. The campgrounds in the region typically provide picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathroom facilities, with most developed sites offering showers. Wildlife viewing opportunities are available on nearby trails and natural areas.
"We camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance. Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. "
"There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through."
from $23 - $33 / night
Check Availability"Iowa knows how to do County campgrounds. Firefly campground has full hookups and reservations. The other campgrounds have water and electric and are first come first serve."
"Dump available on entrance/exit. The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table. Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. "
"We stayed here for the easy access to the water for the Scouts to get out in canoes and fishing. I have been camping here off and on for the last 25 years. I have not had any issues at all. "
"There is plenty of access to the lake for fishing whether it's from shore or on a boat."
from $18 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Great walking trails through wooded areas near the river. Beautiful place."
"Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."
from $18 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Trails close by and only about 5 min from expressway."
"Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping expirence but still have work or other things to get done."
"Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."
"Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors, and Macbride State Park as well."
from $14 - $260 / night
Check Availability"My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "
"Close access to boating and town"
from $26 - $38 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $23 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Linn County, Iowa, county pack in Primitive site is near nature scape, pit toilets, offers fire pit with sitting blocks and firewood included with camp fee, nature center just yards away, trails, forested"
"The site offers primitive amenities near Wikiup Hill learning Center. Taking a short trail to the site, the permanent wake up offers shelter, fire ring with grate, and restrooms nearby."
from $54 / night
Check Availability"We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."
"It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."
from $20 / night
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GuideOne of my favorites. Iowa knows how to do County campgrounds. Firefly campground has full hookups and reservations. The other campgrounds have water and electric and are first come first serve. I arrived on a Friday afternoon in July and found a site easily.
ScoutA well kept park with a very laid back atmosphere. Buggy yes but the park is worth it.
ScoutThe campground was very nice and clean. Rangers made several loops around so we felt safe. Saw plenty of wildlife. Campsites were big but not level. We thought they only had outhouses until we discovered a modern bathhouse at the other end of the campground. Showers were big but very shall rustic. We only stayed one night as we were passing through but definitely could be an option in the future for other stays.
GuideGrass sites, plenty of space. Some sites have great views of the lake. Nice walking trails. Wild life to watch. If you are camped under a hickory tree you will need to brush off the Hickory nuts off your slide outs. Plenty of parking for guset to visit. Peaceful. We love camping in Hickory hils.
ScoutI have visited this park many times. It is small and has beautiful views and nice short hike trails on the other side , across the bridge, of the park. Old camping site is located among old trees. There is rescued animal display in there as well.
GuideGood spacing between spots that have oversized cement slabs. The bath/shower rooms are the cleanest I have even witnessed.
There is a bike trail running just outside the campground.
Hills, trees and water.
TravelerWe really liked the nearby trails and the beach area was lovely. Our dogs lived hiking to the spillway and laying down for a soak. Our site (35) was slanted and wished we had more shade since it was in the upper 80s while we were there. Site 38 would be great for full shade and more privacy. Next time.
GuideJust an overnight stay but I want to return to Firefly. There are lots of fireflies at night so easy to see why it got the name. All the pads are concrete in this new park. Full hookups that are easy to use. Great playground for the kids.
ScoutI would give it a zero if I could. Uneven pads for camper, right next to interstate and loud, neighbors so close it is unreal. Do not believe the pictures online posted those are campsites for permanent seasonal campers in the back. I was told the cost was $650 a month then charged $718 on my card. Campers are placed tongue to the back of your neighbor in front of you camper. so if one wants to move out you have to pack up your camper and move yours to a temporary spot for a couple of days so they can get out then pack up your camper again and move it again. They broke the contract doing that with us so instead of signing a new contract on a new spot we went ahead and went to another campground. Owner (which you never see, never picks up phone or has an office you can go to) continually tries to charge my credit card a large sum of money because she is mad. Update three weeks later still trying to charge my credit card various amounts. We didn’t even complete the whole month we paid for and did not ask for a refund for the days not stayed so technically they owe us money. Also you are not allowed to have any mail sent to you if renting monthly' and there was a lot of trash and illicit drug use going on in the campground.
Linn County, Iowa provides a range of camping experiences within a short drive of Hiawatha, with several established campgrounds offering varied accommodation options. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) in nearby Marion features both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground, approximately 20 miles west of Hiawatha, offers more diverse options including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals. Morgan Creek County Park and Pinicon Ridge Park round out the selection with camping areas accessible via drive-in, boat-in, and walk-in options.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from April through October, though some like Pinicon Ridge Park remain open year-round. Reservation requirements vary by location, with some parks like Wanatee Park offering a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Water and electric hookups are standard at most developed campgrounds, and sanitary dump stations are available for RVs. Shower facilities and modern restrooms are common amenities, though primitive sites with fewer services can be found at locations like Wickiup Hill. According to one visitor, "Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping experience but still have work or other things to get done."
Campers consistently rate the region's parks highly for their blend of natural features and convenient amenities. The proximity to water is a significant draw, with several campgrounds situated near lakes or rivers ideal for fishing, kayaking, and other water recreation. Hiking trails are prominent features at many parks, with Pleasant Creek offering an 8-mile loop around its lake. Family-friendly facilities are common, including playgrounds and open spaces. A review mentioned that Pinicon Ridge Park has an "awesome playground for kids of all ages" and "hiking trails [that] are well marked and all over the park." Though located near urban areas, most campgrounds maintain a sense of seclusion with wooded sites and prairie landscapes providing natural buffers between camping areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Hiawatha, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hiawatha, IA is Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
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