Within Pine Ridge Area County Park, Pine Ridge Park sits at the end of a road alongside the Iowa River, offering multiple access options including drive-in, walk-in, and boat-in camping. The Hardin County Conservation Board manages this small campground with a series of loops that mix tent and RV sites, all equipped with electric hookups and standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.
The campground's riverside location provides direct water access for paddlers, though Annie C. notes that "most stayed back from those sites due to the crazy up and down flooding the river has been experiencing." Campers can launch upstream for river trips or use the nearby takeout point. A rifle range operates adjacent to the campground, which may generate daytime noise but poses no safety concerns as it points away from camping areas into dirt berms.
Evening gatherings at the pavilion create a social atmosphere among the regulars and visitors who frequent this site. The campground maintains clean restrooms and provides shower facilities, plus firewood is available for purchase. A convenience store operates a few miles away in Steamboat Rock, where campers can also find river access points for tubing and kayaking.
Sites cost $10-15 per night and accommodate both tents and RVs with electric hookups, though no dump station is available on-site. For additional camping choices, see campgrounds near Steamboat Rock.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundPine Ridge Park is located in Iowa
Coordinates
42.4130007 N
93.07000067 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/29/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 3/29/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageLast on 7/14/25
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/29/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 3/29/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageLast on 7/14/25
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 37 min from Waterloo, IA
- 49 min from Ames, IA
- 1 hr 11 min from Des Moines, IA
- 1 hr 18 min from Cedar Rapids, IA










