ALERT: Newly Renovated Arrowhead Park Campground 3 is Now OPEN!
ALERT: Boil Order in effect until further notice for Arrowhead Park. All water for cooking and drinking needs to be boiled before use. Boil Order
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Hitchcock Nature Center

Nestled in the heart of Iowa's globally significant Loess Hills, Hitchcock Nature Center offers nearly 1,500 acres of publicly available prairie, savanna, and woodlands for low-impact recreation and camping.

Attention

Campground Updates (as of April 6th, 2023):

  • The shower house is open for the season.
  • All campgrounds are open with water and electric available.
  • The dump station is open.
  • Water is turned on at the camping cabins.
  • The north restroom near the main park entrance and playground is open for the season.

Other alerts:

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, Iowa 51542
(712) 545-3283

Directions:
From Interstate I-29 take the Crescent exit and travel east to The Old Lincoln Highway. Hitchcock Nature Center is located 5 miles north of Crescent off of Old Lincoln Highway.

Park Hours:
6:00 am to 10:00 pm

Park Admission:
$5.00 per vehicle, payable with exact change or check at the park gate. Park Map

Become a Member

Join the Pottawattamie County Foundation for as little as $20.00 to gain a year of access to Pottawattamie County parks. Join Today

View Park & Trail Map

Explore the topography of the Loess Hills which harbor some of the largest remaining prairie remnants in Iowa and provide refuge for plants and animals found nowhere else in the state. Hitchcock Nature Center is open every day of the year for hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching, snowshoeing, star gazing, and simply enjoying the beauty of the natural world.

Consider having your next event with us! Lodge room rentals are available year-round. See below for more details about the Loess Hills Lodge Goldfinch and Bluestem rooms.

Park Features

Current hours (Spring & Summer):

  • Monday: Closed 
  • Tuesday to Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Loess Hills Lodge is seated at the highest point in the park (which means you’ll have to hike uphill to reach it!). It features park restrooms, a gallery and gift shop, an observation deck and tower, a back patio with picnic tables, meeting rooms, and park staff office space.

  • Restrooms: Available 365 days a year from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • Gallery: Hours change seasonally. Please check back for updates.

Hiking Trails

Parking

Dogs & Pet Waste

Tent, RV & Backcountry Camping

The Loess Hills

Cabin Rentals

Hitchcock HawkWatch Research

Seasonal Hunting

Other Activities

Park Facilities

Crescent Ridge Cabin at Hitchcock Nature Center

Starting at $300.00

More Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #1- Hohneke Pond

Starting at $10.00

More Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #2 Fox Run Ridge

Starting at $10.00

More Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #3 Cottonwood

Starting at $10.00

More Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #4 High Point

Starting at $10.00

More Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #5 Badger Ridge

Starting at $10.00

More Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #6 Shea Way

Starting at $10.00

More Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #7 Heritage

Starting at $10.00

More Info

Hitchcock Blazing Star Cabin (Cabin 1)

Starting at $50.00

More Info

Hitchcock Bur Oak Cabin (Cabin 2)

Starting at $50.00

More Info

Hitchcock Goldenrod Cabin (Cabin 3)

Starting at $50.00

More Info

Hitchcock Modern Group Tent Campsite

Starting at $50.00

More Info

Hitchcock Nature Center Modern Tent Camping

Starting at $10.00

More Info

Hitchcock Nature Center RV Campground

Starting at $25.00

More Info

The Bluestem Room at the Loess Hills Lodge

Starting at $350.00

More Info

The Goldfinch Room at the Loess Hills Lodge

Starting at $350.00

More Info

Park Staff

Chad Kunze

Hitchcock Nature Center Park Ranger
chad.kunze@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-328-5833

Read Bio

Hitchcock Nature Center Map

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