Andy M.
Legend
LegendSugar Bottom Campground
Nice clean campground. With a great view.
Nice clean single room bathroom/showers. Big enough grounds to find a great spot.
Camping near Hiawatha, IA
118 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add 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.
Best Campgrounds near Hiawatha (118)
1. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)
"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 Availability2. Pinicon Ridge Park
"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. "
3. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground
"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 Availability4. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground
"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 Availability5. Sugar Bottom Campground
"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 Availability6. Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground
"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."
7. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park
"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 Availability8. Morgan Creek County Park
from $23 - $40 / night
Check Availability9. Wickiup Hill Primitive Campsite
"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 Availability10. F. W. Kent Park
"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
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 7 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 28 min from Iowa City, IA
- 40 min from Waterloo, IA
- 1 hr 11 min from Dubuque, IA
Recent Camping Photos near Hiawatha, IA
117 Photos of 118 Hiawatha Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Pinicon Ridge Park
Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground
Beyonder Getaway at Lazy AcresD
Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park
Amana RV Park & Event Center
Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State ParkJ
Gardner Family Farm and Iowa Hemp Farm StayA
Macbride Nature Recreation Area
Wapsipinicon State Park Campground
Sugar Bottom Campground
F. W. Kent Park
Recent Reviews near Hiawatha, IA
471 Reviews of 118 Hiawatha Campgrounds
- RRussell H.
TravelerWanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)
Very nice basic campground
Driving thru. Stayed for a quick stop over. County Park. Loop A takes reservations. Loop B first come first served. It was a long trek to the bathroom and showers which were well maintained. Great price $35
- DDavid A.
ScoutRiverview Ridge
A few concerns for tent camping
Arrived late at night and struggled to find correct site as there were no numbers posted. Also no external lighting or picnic table. Bathrooms were clean and office help was accommodating when reservation was made.
Alison P.
GuideTailwater West Campground
Nice, but some issues
The campground is nice and clean, with level campsites. We arrived and there was no power - it took several hours for them to fix. Someone else mentioned that it was the 2nd time to happen in the last few days. The bathrooms are just ok. The views are beautiful!
Alexandria V.TravelerWest Overlook Campground
Arrived late
Booked online and arrived late. No kiosk but you check in the morning.
We found site fairly easy. Could use more signs for campgrounds but it’s to the left of the day use just can’t see it at night.
Great spot for family by water and close to bathrooms with playground
- LLori M.Traveler
West Overlook Campground
So may options!
I rolled in on a Tuesday with no reservation and got a fantastic site. It was easy to reserve online after I picked one out. The site is really clean and there is easy access to the water in just a short walk. The shower house and facilities are nice and it is cheaper than most state parks I stopped at on this trip. I would stay here again!
Garet W.GuidePinicon Ridge Park
My 2nd visit to Pinicon
One 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.
Royce M.ScoutMcFarlane Park
Nice park
A well kept park with a very laid back atmosphere. Buggy yes but the park is worth it.
- BBonnie G.Scout
Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground
Very Quiet
The 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.
Guide to Hiawatha
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?
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 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
Keep Exploring