Campgrounds near Hinton, Iowa provide diverse options beyond the traditional tent and RV sites. Located in Plymouth County within the Loess Hills landform, this region features unique topography with windblown silt deposits creating distinctive ridges and hills. Temperatures range from summer highs averaging 85°F to winter lows often below freezing, affecting seasonal camping availability across sites within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
River activities: Missouri River access at Scenic Park Campground offers multiple recreation options. "The trails I loved were along the river. The only con was that There was a major highway on the other side of the river and ambulances would pass by with sirens going," notes Shannon G.
Hiking trails: Explore wooded paths at Stone State Park where trail conditions vary seasonally. "The trails were overgrown and the map was not easy to orient. I only explored so far so I may have missed the cool stuff that signifies this park," warns Shelly S., highlighting the need to download maps beforehand due to spotty coverage.
Fishing opportunities: No license required at Lazy H Campground for their private lake. "Private lake so no fishing license required," confirms Donald N., making it convenient for spontaneous fishing trips without additional paperwork.
What campers like
Concrete camping pads: Level sites available at several campgrounds including Cottonwood Cove Park where visitors appreciate the infrastructure. "Concrete pads, very little leveling needed. Plenty of space in between sites. Dappled shade. Easily accessible for any size rig," reports Renee H.
Riverfront views: Scenic overlooks create memorable camping experiences. "We witnessed deer and many species of birds in our one evening and morning stay," shares Joe R. about Oak Bluff Campground at Ponca State Park, adding "I highly recommend trying to get the site one spot to the North of T45, it literally looks right over the Missouri River."
Affordable rates: Budget-friendly options exist throughout the region. "For $20 we got power, water and WiFi. A real find in the middle of corn and soybean country," notes Charles M. about Willow Creek Campground, highlighting the value proposition for camping sites near Hinton.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: From modern to basic across campgrounds. "The bathroom facility right by T45 was clean and well maintained and there was a water faucet next to this site as well as the trash bins," reports Joe R. at Oak Bluff, while others note less pleasant experiences at different locations.
Cell service considerations: Coverage differs significantly between sites. At Cottonwood Cove Park, "Excellent Verizon signal" is reported by Renee H., while Stone State Park has "very fleeting" coverage according to Lee D., who advises "download before You drive in."
Reservation systems differ: Some campgrounds require online booking. "You must register online, and it's not easy to find the link," warns Ryan S. about Cottonwood Cove, while other sites operate on first-come, first-served basis for certain camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Willow Creek Campground features family-friendly swimming. "The lake is clean and very pretty. The shower house is newly renovated and very nice," reports Kaila, while Cody H. adds "The beach it was really big but both nights that we were there, the cops had to come and remove people from the beach."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "There is a large network of trails, some of which can be used as equestrian. There is a nice playground, but it is not located anywhere near the campground," notes Lee D. about Stone State Park, important information for families planning their stay.
Quiet hours enforcement: Most campgrounds maintain 10 p.m. quiet times. "Everyone seemed to respect the 10:00pm quiet time," Amy B. mentions about Stone State Park, suggesting family-friendly sleeping conditions for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up variations: Riverfront Campground at Ponca State Park offers full connections. "We camped in the Riverfront campground. No one else there on a Thursday night so we had the whole river to ourselves. Very peaceful. Good-sized grassy sites. Table, fire ring, water, pit toilet," reports Janet K.
Pull-through availability: Many sites accommodate easy access for larger rigs. "The pull through sites are fully concrete and level. They all have a huge table and stone fire pit. Plenty of room for a second vehicle," Bryan R. shares about Lazy H Campground.
Site spacing considerations: Privacy levels differ between campgrounds. "All the spots are spacious...neighbors are not on top of you," notes Chris S. about Scenic Park Campground, while sites at Stone State Park "have no foliage or other visible separation between the sites" according to Lee D.
