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Campgrounds near Missouri Valley, Iowa provide a mix of developed facilities and natural settings along the Missouri River valley and surrounding Loess Hills. Wilson Island State Recreation Area Campground offers tent and RV sites within a forested area approximately 7 miles south of town, while Missouri Valley City Park provides electric hookups and basic amenities directly within city limits. The region includes several county parks with cabin accommodations, including Hitchcock County Nature Center in nearby Honey Creek and Arrowhead Park in Neola, both offering mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate tents, RVs, and cabin rentals.
Access to many campgrounds in the area can be affected by seasonal flooding, particularly those near the Missouri River. "Due to massive floods in 2019 in this area that affected the area near the Missouri, Platte, and Elkhorn rivers, some great parks are closed along with others that are still closed," noted one visitor to Wilson Island State Recreation Area. Most developed campgrounds in the region operate from April through October or November, with limited winter camping options. Reservations are recommended for electric sites and cabins, especially during summer weekends. The terrain features unique Loess Hills formations, which provide scenic backdrops but can create challenging access during wet conditions. Cell service varies throughout the region, with stronger coverage near Interstate 29 and diminishing signal in more remote areas.
Campers report high satisfaction with sites that offer lake or river views. Arrowhead Park receives positive reviews for its clean facilities and affordable rates, with one visitor describing it as "a beautiful, inexpensive county park" with canoe and paddle boat rentals available at surprisingly low prices. Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and family-friendly amenities, making them popular for weekend getaways. The Loess Hills area surrounding Missouri Valley provides unique hiking opportunities, with Hitchcock Nature Center offering trails through rare landforms that one visitor noted are "one of only two in the world." Noise from nearby train tracks affects some campgrounds, particularly those closest to railroad lines, while sites farther from transportation corridors tend to offer more peaceful settings.
"I pulled in late at night easy to navigate stayed the next day and did some trails apparently the land formations are 1 of only 2 in the world how about that Iowa."
"We camp all the time at different locations, and I 100% recommend this campground! The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate."
from $10 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site."
"I like that you can tent camp anywhere in the Camp area down by the lake with all your friends close by. the trails and playground equipment is nice and the fishing is great!"
"It is true that the campground is a big open space with little tree cover, but it is part of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, and there is a ton of trees, trails, and wildlife around the refuge."
"Nice smaller park with good tent sites on Missouri River and next to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge."
from $16 - $24 / night
Check Availability"It is right next to a busy railroad, but we cranked up our fans and barely noticed the trains and their horns."
"Besides the traffic noise because it's close to the hwy, the train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep."
"The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."
"Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $18 - $25 / night
Check Availability"So we’re driving through Blair (kinda right outside Omaha, right on the Missourri River) and I did not expect the food at The Lodge to be this good..."
"It’s peaceful, friendly, close to Omaha, but still quiet enough to feel like you’re on vacation."
"There are two small camping areas near the entrance and two larger areas on the far side of the lake. We stayed in Site 20 on the far side."
"Nice setting close to I80 without highway noise. It is first come so is probably busy in summer. Bathhouse was so clean and nice. Stop by office first to see if there are sights available."
"Great location, not too close to the lake so not a lot of bugs to bother."
"Each site is equipped with a fire ring and many of the locations have a picnic table. There are a couple of the spots right along side the lake."
TravelerIt took a lot of driving to get back in here, but the payoff was a lovely little isolated, three or 4 acres of grass and hardwood trees by a sweet little cemetery of the hill.
GuideWe were coming into town for the College World Series and intended to stay at Arrowhead. I called ahead and talked to a kind gentleman who let me know that Arrowhead would likely be full, but the fairgrounds would surely have space. With 24-hour self check-in, it was a perfect solution. Twenty-five minutes from Omaha and full, pull-through hook ups made this a solid stop over.
GuideCamp spots are close together and not private. But it's a beautiful spot with lots of hiking trails. Bathrooms are spotless and the host is super nice.
LegendI was here on a very hot June day. Grateful for the electricity so I could run my A/C. Would have been much nicer if there were some actual trees for shade. No privacy between sites.
You need a code to get inside the park. I saw camp hosts drive by in golf carts, but did not interact with them.
All the pads look like they're very new. Cement and level.
While this park is right on the lake, there is no easy access to the lake from the campground. A few of the sites back up to the lake, but even those you'd have to bushwack to get to the water. I did find a spot that I had to practically trespass on another camper's site to get to. It was a small opening between weeds and down some treacherous rocks to launch my paddleboard.
There's a beach a few hundred yards down the path that you have to pay $5 to enter.
The lake does not look very clean. I wouldn't swim in it.
The shower was one of those push button ones and it was fine. Lots of kids running around and being loud past 11pm. Looks like people come here to spend the night and spend the day someplace else.
Scout•Turned of my water off in the winter time while it was in the negatives outside which froze my water and busted my water heater.
•quiet time is after 9 but we’re trying to make guests leave before 6
•their water line busted and they refused to reimburse multiple people for the 5 days we all went without water
•You can’t sit your trash out AT ALL, not even in the bed of your truck cause the dozens of stray cats will rip it apart and scatter it everywhere. They will also tear up your camper underneath looking for warmth
•owner saw me taking the trash out one day and offered to take it then turned around and told me I was to lazy to take it
•had 2 friends and their 3 kids come join us for a cookout and the owners pulled up in their golf cart, freaking out about how loud our “party” was and that the our new neighbors complained. Went to go apologize the next day and the neighbors said they didn’t even hear us.
•kept trying to up charge me on rent and electricity, one month my electric was $53 and the next month it was over $300 (the same month I wasn’t even there for 2 weeks)
•multiple blue collar workers left because the owners were treating them the same way
•they have a nice pool. If you want to invite anybody make sure you got extra money cause they’ll charge you whatever they feel like charging you that day. Went from $3 a person to $5 a person in just 2 days
•claim they’re Christians but refuse to you help in any way and will try to get as much money from you as they can
•••••••CHECK YOUR METER••••••••• when I left they tried saying my electric bill was higher than my deposit of $300 but when I told them I took a picture of the meter and how their price didn’t match the amount of kilowatts I had used (15 cents per kw) they sent me my deposit back
All this coming from someone who stayed here for 6 months and finally had enough
GuideThis was a beautiful little spot in town. All the spots were decently spaced out so you had your privacy, and it was surprisingly quiet. It is on the edge a housing area, so you can see people's porches across the street, but it wasnt bad. The price is very reasonable especially if you're just spending the night while driving through. Its very green, well maintained and pretty, we even saw some fireflies! It has electric hook ups and a dump station as well.
ScoutNew pads. Grills. Fishing Lake. Tennis Courts. Basketball. Sand Volleyball. Pool.
ScoutThis park offers something for everyone! Although the campsites are average this big beautiful park makes up for it in other ways. From the aquatic park, to the stables, hiking and biking trails, a small marina with fishing and paddle boats, and a nature center, you won’t have to leave to be entertained. Recommend staying at the lakeside campground for better views.
ScoutI called because there was no link to book and the RV park has closed. There is RV parking if you want to stay in the hotel, but the park with hookups is closed.
Camping areas near Missouri Valley, Iowa exist in a region dominated by the Loess Hills, a rare landform created by wind-deposited silt during the last ice age. These distinctive hills rise 200 feet above the Missouri River floodplain and create varied camping terrain with elevations ranging from 920 to 1,420 feet. Seasonal temperature fluctuations can be significant, with summer camping temperatures typically reaching 86°F during July and August.
Hiking the Loess Hills trails: At Hitchcock County Nature Center, visitors can explore multiple trail options ranging from easy to challenging. "The trails are well marked and easy to follow. I was very impressed on the hike in campsites. They already have a nice flat spot for your tent, although I'm a hammock camper," notes Aaron A. The center features a handicap-accessible 1-mile boardwalk trail for less strenuous exploration.
Archery practice: Hitchcock Nature Center maintains an archery range open to campers. "As a family we go to Hitchcock a few times a year for the hiking and the archery range they have on-site. Both are excellent and a nice escape from the city!" reports Pat V., who visits regularly with his family.
Water recreation: Arrowhead Park Campground offers affordable water activities on its small lake. "Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable," writes Sarah H., adding that the "kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground." The park maintains a swimming area and fishing spots accessible to all campers.
Clean facilities: Missouri Valley City Park receives positive reviews for its well-maintained grounds. "Place is well maintained with plenty of hookups, a nice view to the park, picnic tables and a dump station," notes marisol G., though she cautions about train noise at night. The park's location within city limits provides easy access to restaurants and supplies.
Budget-friendly options: Camping near Missouri Valley offers affordable rates, particularly at county parks. At Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park, T.S. remarks, "Canoes and paddle boats are available for rent (prices are out of the 1960's…less than $5.00 per hour)." The park charges only $20 per night for electric sites as of 2021.
Educational opportunities: The Hitchcock Nature Center provides learning experiences for all ages. Karen W. shares, "We love doing their extra classes. They have a hawkwatch tower. Lots of information about Hawks and nature conservation." The center hosts scheduled events throughout the camping season focused on local ecology and wildlife.
Seasonal closures: Flooding affects campground availability, particularly those near rivers. Wilson Island State Recreation Area has experienced extended closures. Tony B. notes, "Unfortunately there were massive floods in 2019 in this area that effected the area near the missouri, Platte, and Elkhorn river. Due to these flood this great park is closed along with other parks that are still closed."
Self-service processes: Many campgrounds operate with minimal staff. At Hitchcock Nature Center, Abby W. describes, "I loved the simple self service process. We picked an open spot, paid, and parked. The facilities were impressively clean and well maintained." Check each campground's registration procedure before arrival.
Weather considerations: The region experiences temperature extremes with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter camping options at Lake Cunningham Campground, which Connor S. describes as having "Full access with concrete pad. Tons of room between spots."
Playground access: Several of the best places to camp near Missouri Valley feature playgrounds for children. Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park has "A large playground for children looked new and in great shape," according to T.S., who adds that "There are also picnic areas with some gazebos."
Nature programs: Take advantage of educational opportunities designed for young campers. Karen W. recommends Hitchcock County Nature Center: "With the nature Center there is plenty for the kids to do. There's even a 1 mile hike on a boardwalk that's very easy. There's all levels of hikes."
Cabin alternatives: When tent camping isn't ideal for your family, several parks offer cabin rentals. Allison J. mentions that Hitchcock County Nature Center "has cabins, rv sites, tent camping and backcountry hike in camping." These provide comfortable shelter during inclement weather common in spring and fall.
Electric options: Most campgrounds near Missouri Valley offer electric hookups. At Bob Hardy RV Park, Jacob T. notes the park has "8 RV spots with electric and water. Tent camping as well. $15 / night for RV spot." This park includes a free dump station for all users.
Space considerations: RVers appreciate parks with adequate space between sites. Victoria S. describes Bob Hardy RV Park as "simple nothing fancy" but notes it has "a decent shower house and bathrooms" with all campsites offering 30-amp service. Sites at Missouri Valley City Park are level but can be close together.
Self-contained camping: Due to limited facilities at some locations, RVers should arrive with full water tanks. Lake Cunningham Campground has "a fill station on the way in" according to Alana R., who adds "You can pay $1 for a hot shower in the comfort station, which is very clean."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at the Missouri Valley city campground?
The Missouri Valley city campground provides basic amenities including water access and toilet facilities. The campground is big-rig friendly with drive-in and walk-in access options. For comparison, Lewis and Clark State Park Campground nearby offers additional amenities such as electric hookups, a large playground with multiple setups for different age groups, and lakefront camping sites. Preparation Canyon State Park Campground offers more primitive camping with picnic tables and fire rings at their walk-in sites.
Where is the Missouri Valley city campground located?
Missouri Valley City Park is located in Missouri Valley, Iowa. The city is situated in the western part of Iowa, close to the Missouri River and the Iowa-Nebraska border. The campground is conveniently positioned within the city limits, making it easily accessible for travelers. For those exploring the broader region, Wilson Island State Recreation Area Campground is nearby, located adjacent to the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge along the Missouri River.
How much does it cost to stay at the Missouri Valley city campground?
The Missouri Valley city campground offers affordable rates typical of municipal campgrounds in Iowa. While specific pricing isn't detailed in the reviews, similar Iowa public campgrounds range from $10-20 per night for basic sites. For comparison, Prairie Rose State Park Campground nearby offers electric sites with rates consistent with Iowa state parks. Glenwood Lake Park, another municipal option in the region, provides approximately 20 sites with full hookups primarily for RV camping, with separate accommodations for tent camping.
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