For those seeking a modern group camping experience friendly to campers of all ages and abilities, Hitchcock Nature Center also offers a multi-tent group campsite located near our RV campground and camping cabins. While camping in the group site, we ask that campers camp with integrity & enjoy the outdoors responsibly by employing Leave No Trace ethics and principles where appropriate.
Modern Group Campsite
- Multi-tent campsite with multiple fire rings with grills, picnic tables, and nearby access to yard-hydrants
- Easy terrain access with nearby parking, located just below the RV campground and within walking distance of pit and flush toilets and the shower house
- Loess Hills woodland setting
- Adjacent to paved roadway
What do I need to know about modern group tent camping at Hitchcock Nature Center?
- Online reservations must be made at least two days prior to the date of arrival; walk-up/same day registrations are available for the group site but may be subject to a two-day maximum, depending on site reservations
- Barring reservations, the Modern Group Campsite may serve multiple walk-up groups at one time
- Reservations for the group site are $50.00 per night
- Walk-up/same day registrations are $10.00 per night per tent
- The Modern Group Campsite will accommodate up to six (6) tents at any one time
- Maximum stay - 14 days
- Checkout time - 2:00 p.m.
- Check-in time - 4:00 p.m.
- Campsites are open 365 days a year
- Campsites are considered reserved for a specific date when an online reservation has been submitted and the camping fee paid
- Paid online reservations include admission to the park for all associated overnight vehicles
- Walk-up/same day registrations include admission to the park for one vehicle. Additional guests will need to purchase a $3.00 per vehicle daily entrance pass at the front gate or have a valid Pottawattamie County Parks annual permit
- Keg beer is not permitted
- Leashed pets are welcome, owners are responsible for the removal and disposal of pet waste
- The modern group site is outfitted with a fire ring with a grill
- Hammocks are only allowed to be hung at the designated hammock campsites (Backcountry Campsite #6, Shea Way and Backcountry Campsite #7, Heritage)
- Firewood is available for purchase from the campground office, campground host, or park ranger
- Campers are permitted to harvest dead fall wood from the ground for burning but may not cut down or damage live trees
- Please help us limit the spread of pests and DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREWOOD ACROSS STATE OR COUNTY LINES
- Refunds will be permitted via the refund policy in the Facility Contract
Location
The Modern Group Campsite is located on the lower loop road (Tent Road) just south of the RV campground in the northern portions of the park. It is located and accessible via paved roads with nearby access to parking, pit and flush toilets, and a shower house.
Amenities
The Modern Group Tent Campsite possesses nearby parking for up to three vehicles, a fire ring and picnic table, nearby access to pit toilets and water hydrant, and is within walking distance to the campground shower house which possesses flush toilets, modern sinks, and showers. Firewood is available for purchase in the campground from the campground ranger or hosts. Additional camping supplies including fire starting material, bug spray, tin foil, and camp-stove propane tanks may be available for purchase at the campground office while supplies last.
Fire ring
Firewood available
On-site resident host
Pet Friendly
Picnic Table
Pressurized water
Refuse cans
Shower facilities
Fees
Modern Group Campsite reservations cost $50.00 per night. Walk-up/same day registrations cost $10.00 per tent per night. Walk-up/same day registrations must be made in-person at the park.
Hours of Operation & Seasons
The Modern Tent Campsite is open year-round; however, running water in the campground (including to the yard-hydrants, flush toilets, and shower house) is temperature dependent and may not be available from November - April. Contact the park ranger to check running water availability in the months between November and April.
Closures
Campsites may be closed for designated hunting seasons. Closures will be announced in advance.
Permits
A paid camping reservation includes park admission for all associated overnight vehicles. Additional guests will need to purchase a $3.00 per vehicle daily use permit or have a valid Pottawattamie County Parks annual permit. Walk-up/same day registrations includes admission to the park for one vehicle. Additional guests will need to purchase a $3.00 per vehicle daily entrance pass at the front gate or have a valid Pottawattamie County Parks annual permit.
