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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

Prescribed fire will be applied near Lotus Loop and Westridge trails by our Natural Areas Management team in the afternoon and early evening on Wednesday, March 13th.

Impacts include: Possible smoke along short stretches of Lotus Loop and Westridge trails. Trails remain open for visitors. Please stay on trails, do not approach live fire, and follow instruction from fire crews. Click here for real-time air quality readings at the park. Prescribed fire helps protect and preserve our dwindling prairie ecosystem which depends on fire to thrive. Eighty-five percent of Iowa was once covered in tallgrass prairie, today less than 0.1% remains.

Other Alerts:

  • The drinking fountain at the front entrance shelter is closed for the season.
  • Click here to learn more about the Mt. Crescent Ski Area Master Plan and share your ideas for four-season recreation at Mt. Crescent Ski Area by December 31st.
  • Access Pottawattamie County Beaver Bounty Program information and forms.
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 (Winter | December 1st through March 31st):

Modern restrooms at the Loess Hills Lodge are available 365 days a year from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

  • Monday to Thursday: Closed 
  • Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Gallery Closures: (restrooms are still available)

  • The gallery will be CLOSED Friday 1/12, Saturday 1/13, and Sunday 1/14 due to below-zero temperatures and blowing snow.

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 (hours vary based on season), an observation deck and tower, a back patio with picnic tables, meeting rooms, and park staff office space. Swing by sometime when the gallery is open to learn about the Loess Hills, purchase a permit or something from the gift shop, and chat with one of our amazing welcome desk volunteers!

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 $200.00

More Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #1- Hohneke Pond

Starting at $10.00

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Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #2 Fox Run Ridge

Starting at $10.00

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Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #3 Cottonwood

Starting at $10.00

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Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #4 High Point

Starting at $10.00

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Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #5 Badger Ridge

Starting at $10.00

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Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #6 Shea Way

Starting at $10.00

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Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #7 Heritage

Starting at $10.00

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Hitchcock Blazing Star Cabin (Cabin 1)

Starting at $75.00

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Hitchcock Bur Oak Cabin (Cabin 2)

Starting at $75.00

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Hitchcock Goldenrod Cabin (Cabin 3)

Starting at $75.00

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Hitchcock Modern Group Tent Campsite

Starting at $50.00

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Hitchcock Nature Center Modern Tent Camping

Starting at $10.00

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Hitchcock Nature Center RV Campground

Starting at $25.00

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The Bluestem Room at the Loess Hills Lodge

Starting at $350.00

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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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