1 campground with availability this weekend
Lake Cunningham Campground and Hitchcock County Nature Center provide upscale glamping accommodations just a short drive from Harlan, Iowa. These top-rated glamping campgrounds feature comfortable yurts and luxury canvas tents with electricity, comfortable bedding, and private outdoor spaces. Lake Cunningham's yurts offer panoramic views of the 171-acre lake, while Hitchcock's safari-style tents are set within the scenic Loess Hills. One visitor noted, "The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate. Camping here also gives you access to the playground and nature trails into some beautiful countryside." Both locations maintain clean bathroom facilities with hot showers, essential for glamping guests seeking comfort while connecting with nature. These accommodations blend rustic charm with modern conveniences, making them suitable for families and couples alike.
Several miles of hiking trails wind through Hitchcock Nature Center, offering glamping guests exclusive access to scenic overlooks of the Missouri River valley. According to a camper, "There are miles of trail available with gorgeous views of the Missouri River valley below." The nature center provides educational programming, with an interactive facility that many reviewers call "super cool." Lake Cunningham complements its glamping campsites with fishing, boating, and kayaking opportunities on the stocked lake. Both locations maintain seasonal operations, with Lake Cunningham available from April through mid-October and Hitchcock Nature Center open from April to November. The proximity to Harlan makes these glamping destinations convenient weekend getaways, with each offering a distinctive blend of luxury accommodations and outdoor recreation.
"Just a few mins off I-80 but no noise or signs of heavytraffic. Cute, quaint little town. All pull through spots and all sites are level."
"Electric, water and sewer available. Bathroom and shower were clean. But old style, so small and well worn."
"Bathroom was clean, lit, and stocked - even had hand sanitizer! RV loops had flush toilets and showers, but we didn’t stay long enough to make the trek worth it."
"Best campground shower I've ever had in my life, both in water pressure, heat and cleanliness of facilities. Be aware that it's first come first served."
from $10 - $50 / night
"Beautiful campground on a man-made lake in Iowa. Very sparsely populated in the middle of the week even during the month of June. A wonderful bike trail circumvent the lake. About 4 miles long."
"This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $20 / night
"I wanted a weekend away from the craziness so chose to go "home" for my first solo trip in quite awhile."
"Has a descent size lake good for kayaking and fishing."
"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 entire park is well maintained, has a large lake stocked with fish, tent sites are close together, but tolerable. Occupancy depends on the time of year. "
"On a beautiful lake with many recreational possibilities - kayaking, sailing non power boating - some for rent. 10 miles of paved bike trails and ALL paved campsites level and clean!"
from $15 - $40 / night
"I was only tent camper in the electric only sites. If there was a tent only location, I didn't see it. Those in campers that need water and electricity are regulated to gravel 'parking lot' sites."
"Great trail all the way around the lake, we took a bike ride around it was about 3 ish miles. Camp host was a gem. Bathrooms were very clean! Great view of the lake."
"Well,, it was alright, loud because of the toll bridge next to park, sites were close together, level, fire pits, picnic tables, electric, water and a dump station, stayed 3 days to visit family,, $20"
"Currently flooded, but should be ready for 2019"
"This is a small little park off the highway, we had been traveling for two days and needed to stop for the night."
"Cons: women’s bathroom was inoperable and men’s was locked; sites aren’t numbered or differentiated that I could tell at 2am. Pros: green & shady in places, nice park, lots of grass."
from $10 / night
"It’s right by a small truck stop, but the noise was not bothersome at all. There is a small dog park for the pups. Bathrooms and showers are clean."
"Great location. Very nice campground. Large spacious pull thru sites. Extremely clean bathrooms and showers. We stayed twice, westbound and eastbound. Very friendly, nice people."
TravelerThere were a lot of open spaces to reserve the night before. It's a beautiful lake with lots of green places and trails to walk (especially with a dog). The campers and their kids were friendly. The facilities were sparkling clean. A nice respite from the road.
GuideWe came in really late on a Saturday night and were the only ones here. Cons: women’s bathroom was inoperable and men’s was locked; sites aren’t numbered or differentiated that I could tell at 2am. Pros: green & shady in places, nice park, lots of grass. Parked under two shady trees in what I thought was a spot, paid the $10 and slept in the car as usual.
LegendBeautiful campground on a man-made lake in Iowa. Very sparsely populated in the middle of the week even during the month of June.
A wonderful bike trail circumvent the lake. About 4 miles long.
The sites are pretty close together. For my first two nights I had no neighbors but then on my final night I was surrounded on all sides by a group that was camping together. Hard to escape their campfire, smoke and normal conversation voices.
I ended up staying an extra day because there were tornado warnings in the area. I was awoken at 6 AM to a tornado warning alarm and had to take shelter in the campground restroom. Thankfully, the restrooms were very clean and spacious. Good bonding experience with my fellow campers.
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.
RangerCamp 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.
TravelerLake Anita State Park is beautiful! Large expanse of green in a hilly terrain. Sites are open but roomy and many new trees have been planted to eventually provide shade. Ranger came through periodically to check on all. People come to fish off the shoreline. Nice shower and bath house nearby. Huge storm came through last night!
GuideDid some backcountry camping at the Badger Ridge location, overall the stay was great! The park has multiple hike-in backcountry locations, tent camping spots near the road, RV pads with water and electric, as well as a few small cabins. The scenery is amazing! The shower house was also clean and well maintained.
TravelerThis is actually the Windsor Cove Campground within Haworth Park in Belleview, Nebraska. It is an older campground but near the river, walking trails, and close to all the amenities of Nearby Omaha (aprox. 25 minutes to downtown). I visited in Mid May and the park was about 25 percent full. The camp host is great and I would definitely visit again.
RangerThe areas for tent camping are poorly situated and not worth paying for imho. They have a pit toilet and a water spigot nearby, but that doesn’t make it worth the noise and amount of random local traffic circling my through the campground.
The Harlan, Iowa area features rolling countryside within the western Iowa plains, with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,300 feet. Camping options near Harlan include standard campgrounds, RV parks, and yurt camping facilities set among mature trees with seasonal openings typically from April through October. Most campgrounds maintain access to water recreation within a 30-mile radius of town.
Backcountry hiking trails: At Hitchcock County Nature Center, explore the unique Loess Hills formation. "The trails are well marked and easy to follow. I was very impressed on the hike in campsites. The views from the two south east campsites are amazing, looking over the Missouri River valley and the Omaha skyline in the distance," notes Aaron A. The park offers trails for all skill levels with designated tent pads at backcountry sites.
Hawk watching: Visit the observation tower at Hitchcock Nature Center during migration seasons. "Make sure to climb up to the top of the towering platform and bring your binoculars to checkout the visiting hawks and occasional eagle," recommends Matt S. The tower provides educational information about raptor conservation efforts specific to the region.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Anita State Park Campground maintains a well-stocked 171-acre lake. "This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks," notes Nicole G. The lake supports multiple fish species and permits shore fishing near campsites.
Small town proximity: Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds offers camping just outside charming Avoca. "It is a bargain at $20 for full hookups. They have tent sites also. The park is clean and clearly under utilized as there were only 3 of us in a park with more than 40 sites. It is very quiet, right in small town America," writes Doug W. Sites include water and electric hookups with level pull-through spaces.
Educational programming: Hitchcock County Nature Center provides interpretive activities for visitors. "When I think of 'nature center' I think of a stuffy little cabin with taxidermy. This site is far far more than that, with hiking trails, educational programs, a museum, event halls, and of course camping," says Lynn G. Programs include seasonal nature walks and conservation demonstrations.
Paved recreation paths: The trail system at Lake Anita creates convenient outdoor access. "The best feature of this park, in my opinion, is the four-mile paved recreation trail that goes around the entire 171-acre lake. Good for walking, running, or biking," explains Lee D. The trail provides ADA-accessible recreation opportunities with frequent benches.
Seasonal closures: Nelson Park Crawford County Park operates from May 15 through October 15 only. "The grounds and facilities at the park were in excellent shape even though many of the buildings were still the same ones that I had known from childhood," notes Kyle L. Water systems typically shut down by mid-October at most area campgrounds.
Site spacing varies: Campgrounds near Harlan feature different density layouts. According to one camper at Lake Anita, "The campsites have you packed in like sardines. It would have been nice if the mowing was all the way down to the lake instead of just a patch." Consider midweek stays for more space and privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Harlan, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Harlan, IA is Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds with a 4.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Harlan, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 glamping camping locations near Harlan, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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