Cedar Bend Park in Waverly, Iowa sits at an elevation of approximately 950 feet along the Cedar River, with a climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. The park covers over 400 acres of natural woodland and prairie areas across varied terrain. Winter temperatures can drop below zero, while summer camping season sees averages in the 80s with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Hiking trails: Cedar Bend Park features multiple terrain options with riverside paths and wooded routes. At Bremer County Park Cedar Bend Park, campers note "trails and hiking was the best part though. We went for hours with our dogs and had so much fun. They were easy. Some right along the river, some grassy and along fields, others ran though the woods."
Fishing access: Nearby Black Hawk County Park offers "plenty of fishing access" according to reviewers. One camper mentioned the park "has plenty of fishing access archery gun range. Boat access."
Kayaking opportunities: For water activities, Siggelkov County Park provides direct river access. A camper noted it's a "good kyack location" and another mentioned it has "primitive spot along the river" making it ideal for paddlers.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Waverly maintain well-kept facilities. A visitor to Cedar Bend Park observed, "It was so clean and peaceful. Not overly crowded. The camp host was so friendly and helpful."
Quiet atmosphere: Cedar View Park offers a peaceful environment for camping with pets. Reviewers note "It is fairly quiet, you can hear some highway noise in the distance. The lake is lovely and clean."
Convenience features: Pet owners appreciate the practical amenities at the campgrounds. At Cedar Bend Park, campers mentioned "a giant wood pile where you could grab wood for a donation in the box and a wheelbarrow was provided to use which was quite convenient."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most Waverly area pet-friendly campgrounds operate from May through October. Cedar View Park's season runs "May 1 to November 1," while Black Hawk County Park remains open "all year" for winter camping with pets.
Payment systems: Some parks use self-payment methods. At Camp Comfort Recreation Area, "There is a spigot to fill your tanks and electric hook ups," and payment is handled through an honor system.
Flooding potential: Low-lying areas near the Cedar River can experience flooding. One camper noted after visiting Camp Comfort Recreation Area: "Went here after the spring floods with the RV. Sites are decent size."
Limited reservations: Many campgrounds near Waverly operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Cedar View Park is described as "first come first serve" with a camper adding "I really never thought there would be any hookups because of what I had read, but they had electric and water!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several pet-friendly campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. At Wilder City Park, families enjoy multiple recreation options as "they have sand volleyball pickle ball miniature golf and huge checkers plus a couple playgrounds for the kids."
Water activities: Children can enjoy water recreation at many sites. Camp Comfort Recreation Area visitors report "The river is off a smaller dam and has great fishing. Kids had a great time playing in the water, our site was about 20 ft from the waters edge."
Nature exploration: The varied terrain provides opportunities for children to discover nature. Cedar Bend Park offers "shelters and restrooms (I did not check them out having the RV) some play equipment as well as a chapel area which was interesting."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: RV campers should prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. At Cedar View Park, "The spots are gravel, most sites will require some leveling but are not too bad."
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electrical hookups for RVs. Cedar View Park provides "a newer electric pedestal with 30 and 50 amp service, and each site has a water spigot, as well as a picnic table and fire ring."
Cell service: Working remotely is possible at many Waverly area campgrounds. One Cedar View Park visitor reported, "I had 3 bars on on T-mobile which got me 64 down and 18 up. On Verizon I had 3 bars which got me 65 down and 12 up."
Site spacing: RVers appreciate the well-designed layouts. At pet-friendly Wilder City Park, visitors describe it as a "beautiful city park. Very much a gem, quiet and peaceful. 50+ sites with about half of them full hook up."
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