Does Draco Hill Nature Farm have picnic tables?

Yes — picnic tables are available at every site at Draco Hill Nature Farm. In addition to picnic tables we've added some tree stumps for using around the fire as seats or table tops for your s'mores! Enjoy!

Does Draco Hill Nature Farm have cooking equipment?

Cooking equipment is available at 2 of 4 sites at Draco Hill Nature Farm. We now offer a Coleman stove for rent. We'll leave it and a propane cannister on the picnic table for you.

How do you get to the sites at Draco Hill Nature Farm?

2WD accessible. Park at your site. Wheelchair accessible.

Are pets allowed at Draco Hill Nature Farm?

Yes — Draco Hill Nature Farm is pet-friendly. On leash.

Are campfires allowed at Draco Hill Nature Farm?

Yes — campfires are allowed at Draco Hill Nature Farm. Always review local fire regulations before enjoying a campfire.

What is the check-in process at Draco Hill Nature Farm?

You'll head straight to your site upon arrival.

What is the cancellation policy at Draco Hill Nature Farm?

Full refund 24 hours before check in time starts.

What time is check-in and check-out at Draco Hill Nature Farm?

Check-in at 1pm. Check-out at 12pm.

How far in advance can you book, and how long can you stay at Draco Hill Nature Farm?

Same-day bookings welcome, up to 12 months ahead. Stay up to 29 nights depending on the site.

Is drinking water available at Draco Hill Nature Farm?

No — no potable water at Draco Hill Nature Farm.

Does Draco Hill Nature Farm have showers?

No — no showers at Draco Hill Nature Farm. All swimming is at your own risk. Do not let small children near the river unsupervised - it runs faster than it looks.

Does Draco Hill Nature Farm have a hot tub?

No — no hot tub at Draco Hill Nature Farm.

Does Draco Hill Nature Farm have laundry?

No — no laundry at Draco Hill Nature Farm.

Does Draco Hill Nature Farm have a playground?

No — no playground at Draco Hill Nature Farm.

Does Draco Hill Nature Farm have wifi?

No — no wifi at Draco Hill Nature Farm. Some people get service and some don't.

Does Draco Hill Nature Farm have trash disposal?

No — no trash disposal at Draco Hill Nature Farm. You're welcomed to bury your food scraps and burn paper plates. Burning metal in the firepit leaves a dangerous mess for someone else to clean up. Please don't do that, thanks.

Explore
/
United States
/
Iowa
/
West Branch

The prairie is full of flowers once summer is in full swing! A wildlife photographer's paradise.

View amenities photos of Draco Hill Nature Farm

View rigs & rvs photos of Draco Hill Nature Farm

The view from site 2. Space is tighter getting in here.

All 100 photos

Open in app

Draco Hill Nature Farm

Hosted by Suzan · West Branch, Iowa

4 sites · RV, Tent · 75 acres

97%

392 reviews

Best Hipcamps in Iowa

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2026.

Best in Iowa: 3rd place

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

As of 9/19, the ground is currently saturated and we have more rain in the forecast. If you decide to reserve, please drive on the ridges of the farm road entering the farm and not in the ruts. If you've never seen the tallgrass prairie, this is your chance! Right now, the prairie is in full bloom. Turkey tail, Indiangrass, partridge pea and many other beautiful native plants are at their best. The orchard trees are also loaded with fruit and nuts. If you've never seen a chestnut burr, a bundle of heartnuts, or Asian pears book now. No picking please - they aren't ripe yet. The weather is great and the campsites are mowed and ready for you! The river is low enough for you to walk down to it. You can only do that from Sun and Swimming and Shade and Swimming so be sure to book one of those if you want to dip your toes in the water. We know everything's expensive these days. Camping is a cheap and easy way to get away. Don't own a tent? Rent one from us. Would rather use a gas stove than struggle with a fire? We've got those too. We've also reduced our Sycamore Site to a super low $20/night for those of you pinching pennies. We hope you can enjoy it at that rate. Remember, a load of firewood is included. Please don't reserve this site if you're towing a trailer. Book over the October 17 weekend and catch our Chestnut Festival. Come any time for privacy at your site or a hike trails. Take a dip in the pond if you dare! Learn more and see map at our website. A convenient 7 miles north of Interstate 80 but feels like an oasis away from it all. Enjoy nature in a private, wooded river valley setting. And check out our extras! -- Fatwood for starting fires easily -- Up to 3 extra bundles of firewood -- A 7-person tent for rent -- A Coleman stove, matches and tank of fuel -- A personal tour of the exotic fruits and nuts and ecological restoration we're growing here. NO generators or large RVs please. Campers like to go to sleep under the stars to the sound of frogs, cicadas, coyotes, deer and the rustling wind through the tallgrass prairie. Wake to an amazing sunrise over the river. Enjoy a hike through our 4 miles of trails on 75 acres of rolling woodlands and prairie, picking berries, finding mushrooms, scaring up a turkey or pheasant in the brush or listening to the birds. (Pull out your Merlin app to see who's singing!) Play in the river or upland pond, cut cattails and prairie grasses for souvenirs and enjoy being unplugged for a while. Your hosts are here if you need us, but we leave you to enjoy this beautiful place at your own pace. This is "socks and shoes, jeans and boots" kind of camping. You're visiting wild places and a working perennial farm, so please dress appropriately for your optimal enjoyment. If you go off trails and other mowed places, you increase your chances of contact with poison ivy and ticks. Please research these ahead of time and be prepared. We live here and encounter them frequently without more than a slight inconvenience.

Select a site

RV/tent sites

4 sites

Shade and Swimming

97%

(181)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 6 · Vehicles under 30 ft

Enjoy mature trees and hammock camping if you choose. It is a short walk to the river with a river view all season. It does have a narrow winding entrance. It is the most popular site so book right away!

Campfires allowed

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

Sun and Swimming

97%

(157)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 6 · Vehicles under 30 ft

Our Sun and Swimming site is wide open, flat and grassy with an expansive view of the river. It's best for trailers to turn around in. If you love open sky and space, this is the place for you!

Campfires allowed

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

Trees and Terrace

100%

(115)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 6 · Vehicles under 25 ft

Trees and Terrace is the longest distance from the other 3 and the most private. It has access to a beautiful natural terrace along the river where you can sit and enjoy the birds and jumping fish but we don't encourage river access as it will cause further erosion of the riverbank at that spot and isn't particularly safe. The site is mostly surrounded by green and timber and is a convenient distance to the outhouse.

Campfires allowed

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

Sycamore Grove

93%

(34)

RV/tent site · Sleeps 4 · Vehicles under 30 ft

As the cost of living skyrockets, we wanted to offer a very affordable option for you to enjoy. A private distance from other sites, flat and wooded along a walking trail. NOT accessible for river swimming yet still a beautiful view of the river. Hammock camping available here. It is a smaller site and the farthest from an outhouse which has a mowed path leading to it. Larger vehicles should reserve any of the other sites.

Campfires allowed

Toilet

No potable water

Pets allowed

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

Reviews

97%· 491 reviews

Themes

Review summary
Generated from real Hipcamper reviews
Draco Farm offers a serene camping experience surrounded by nature's symphony. Campers appreciate the privacy and the proximity to the river, which adds a refreshing touch to the stay. The walking trails and the sounds of wildlife, including owls and coyotes, create a peaceful getaway ambiance. A few campers noted challenges with site upkeep and signage, but these are minor compared to the overall tranquility and beauty of the location.
Travis W.
Tent camped at Sycamore Grove, Oct 2026.
Recommends
Susan is an excellent host. Very responsive and the sites are great and well kept. Highly recommend Draco farms
Dawonne R.
Tent camped at Sycamore Grove with pets, Oct 2026.
Recommends
First time camping. Had a great time!
Tyler F.
Tent camped at Trees and Terrace, Oct 2026.
Recommends
Booked this in mid-October and it was beautiful! More private than I thought it would be. Great walking trails, and the view from the river was amazing. 10/10, would definitely recommend and rebook!

Amenities

Fire pitsPrivate fire pit at each site · Firewood provided, Firepit
Pit toilets
Picnic tables
Cooking equipmentAt some sites · Stovetop or hot plate
No potable water
No showers
No electricity hookup
No water hookup
No wifi
No laundry
No trash disposal
No hot tub
No playground

Things to know

2WD accessiblePark at your site. Wheelchair accessible.
Pet-friendlyOn leash.
Campfires allowedAlways review local fire regulations before enjoying a campfire.
Check-in processYou'll head straight to your site upon arrival.
Cancellation policyFull refund 24 hours before check in time starts.
Check-in and check-outCheck-in at 1pm. Check-out at 12pm.
Booking windowSame-day bookings welcome, up to 12 months ahead. Stay up to 29 nights depending on the site.

Extras

Firewood bundle$7.00 per itemAn hour's worth of firewood is included in your nightly rate. We'll deliver additional stacks you order extra to your site estimated to burn an hour. We tend to be generous with our estimates, but generating firewood takes time, effort, chainsaw repair and maintenance so we must charge a small fee for extra wood. You're welcome to scavenge kindling. There's plenty near your site. Any recent rain may affect the quality of the wood.
Guided Sustainable Farming Tour$30.00 per itemSee how nature and food farming can work together with a 1-hour walking tour by owner Suzan Erem who has planted hundreds of fruit and nut trees in the midst of her and her husband's tall grass prairie. Learn about niche fruits, mushroom production, why chestnuts are a moneymaker, why prairie needs to be burned and the challenges of organic farming. Bring containers for foraging if wild berries are in season! Suzan can accommodate a single guest in a utility vehicle, but if there is more than one person for the tour we will all have to be on foot for safety reasons.
Camp stove and propane$15.00 per itemRent one of our Coleman camp stoves for easy morning coffee and eggs! We'll set it up on your picnic table the day you're arriving. You leave it there when you go. Bring your own pots and utensils.
Fatwood fire starter$5.00 per itemThree 6-inch sticks of all-natural fatwood to start your fire. Easy to ilght, clean to burn. Great for damp or unsplit wood.
Large Tent$15.00 per itemA large, 7-person tent available for your stay.

Location

West Branch, Cedar, Iowa, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Your Host

Suzan E.Joined April 2018

Frequently asked questions

Yes — toilets are available at every site at Draco Hill Nature Farm. One outhouse is shared between Sites 1 and 2 and another near Site 3. They include toilet paper, hand sanitizer, baggies for feminine products and a bucket of wood chips. We ask that you scoop some woodchips into the toilet when you're done to keep down the smell and improve composting. No feminine products in the hole unless you want unwelcomed visitors to your camp at night!