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The best camping in Black Hawk State Park, IA
50% (1)
Discover the scenic beauty and outdoor adventures at Black Hawk State Park.
The best camping in Black Hawk State Park, IA
50% (1)
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Black Hawk State Park adventure.
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D
Dan
October 2025
Tent
Experienced camper or newbie, this is a great spot! Very quiet. River just a few feet away for water-based activities (fishing, kayaking, etc.) and some floofy cows that for the most part were quiet at night. Hosts were available and helpful, but left you to your devices. Town of Lake City is nearby for quick supply run and a Casey's pizza. Public camping spot also just down the road. Highlight of the trip was farm dog Fergus who dropped by to check on us in the morning and keep the critters away.
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Todd
October 2025
20 ft Class B
Great Hipcamp! Easy to find, easy access, quiet and great view of the Heartland. We will stay again.
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Brandy
October 2025
14 ft travel trailer
Stephanie was a very kind and welcoming host! The camping spot was very serene and peaceful. We were able to relax and soak up all the beautiful sights. We highly recommend Rainbow Raccoon Ranch!!
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Dale
September 2025
Tent
This spot is the quietest I’ve experienced yet. The sound of the river is very faint and the cows are quite as well 🙂. The host is very hospitable. Their livestock watchdog and a few donkeys to add to the livestock protection make for a wonderful experience.
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Michael
September 2025
Tent
With kids
I tried out my new RTT and annex and there was plenty of places to set up. Great firewood and fire pit. It was far enough away from the farm to have privacy. I packed in water, toilet, electricity and didn’t need to rely on the site. We had family and small children visit and it was great for that as well.
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Laura
September 2025
26 ft travel trailer
What a lovely, serene and picturesque Hipcamp!! We enjoyed the sweet quiet town. Gazed at the night sky with fire going….acres and acres of cornfields in the distance. Beautiful sunset and Beautiful vineyard warmly wrapping around us as we enjoyed the night sky. Enjoyed a lovely walk around the church and down the street. Definitely we’d come again. 💕. Hosts were very kind and quick to respond !!
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Neal
August 2025
39 ft Class A
Communication is their best quality. From booking to set up, they were there for questions and info. They were busy picking grapes and at the same time, setting up for a wedding for the morning on their picturesque vineyard property. The evening was so quiet and peaceful sitting outside enjoying the MilkyWay.The owner of the Grit (the local bar) even stopped by and welcomed us to this tiny hamlet and invited us for a drink. Made us feel even more welcome. The church next door was beautiful. We are a 39' Class A pulling a Jeep and had no problem navigating the turn or steep grade to the camp site. However, I would recommend at least some rock where you would drive because we sunk in a little with our weight. 30A and water, but no dump station at this time. Thank you for a wonderful overnight and wish you success as you add to your property.
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Robyn
August 2025
Tent
Beautiful and peaceful surroundings! Super easy river access and right next to rainbow bend park - the hosts and their dog fergus were great :)
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Benjamin
July 2025
Tent
With kids
Fantastic spot to camp. The hosts were incredibly accommodating and polite.
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Alison
July 2025
Tent
With kids
Another great weekend spent here!
Site is gorgeous!
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Andrew
July 2025
24 ft travel trailer
With kids
Nice spot, not a crowded campground! Park right next door for the kids. Beautiful scenery.
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MacKenzie
June 2025
40 ft travel trailer
A beautiful, peaceful place to stop for the night! Great views and quiet/private location. We would stay again. Thank you!
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Alison
June 2025
Tent
With kids
What a beautiful place!! Really appreciated the (very) last minute reply! Very helpful hosts!
Everything was perfect!! Can't wait to come back!
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Tom
May 2025
Tent
With kids
Tent camping on Rainbow Ranch was a phenomenal experience! Our hosts were friendly, but not overly so, directions were clear and the property was GORGEOUS. Overlooking the Rainbow Bend of the North Raccoon River we saw otters and freshwater clams and zero litter. The campsite was the best kind: no neighbors! We came during a cold front so the fishing could have been better, but we managed to coax the resident smallmouth into some decent action just yards from our site. Would recommend. Oh, and there are resident Scottish Highland cattle that we got to hand-feed in a lush pasture and the resident min-donkey and mini-mule visited us for petting. That alone was worth the trip. Snoots were booped. Thanks Rainbow Ranch!
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Nathan
May 2025
Tent
Group trip
We had a great time at this beautiful and peaceful campsite! I loved the cows, the river, and the time spent with friends. I’d highly recommend this spot to anyone who wants a truly private getaway.
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Tabitha
May 2025
15 ft pop-up camper
With kids
We LOVED this place! Every hipcamp needs a Fergus (the most adorable and friendly dog on the planet!). This place is super private and gives you the peace you need when this is what you're searching for :) Stephanie was an incredible host! We drove nearly 2 hours to get there and it was worth it. We'll definitely be back 😀
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tasha
April 2025
Tent
Peaceful and solo camping spot right by the river. Lots of available wood to make a fire and Stephanie was responsive and flexible with my last minute booking. I even saw bald eagles in the morning! Their dog is so sweet too. Thanks, Stephanie!
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Michael
March 2025
Tent
Great host, great dog, nice and quiet. Would definitely come back.
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The best camping in Black Hawk State Park, IA guide
Overview
About
Aww, lakeside picnics with the fam. The stuff that warm fuzzy memories are made of. At Black Hawk State Park there are many places to grill up a feast in the shade with gorgeous views of the sparkling water. Bring your boat along and spend days casting your line and relaxing on the water. There are also hiking trails for getting those woodsy vibes, spotting some wildlife, and burning off your picnic feast. History buffs will enjoy the fascinating story this lake tells; named after the famous Indian Chief and the historic battle between the settlers and the natives which included a young Abraham Lincoln. This place is a special part of the Iowa landscape.
When to go
The best time to visit Black Hawk State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its most vibrant. Summer offers warm days perfect for picnics and hikes, while winter can be quite cold, potentially limiting access to some park areas.
Know before you go
- Check the weather forecast before your visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Be aware of park hours, typically from 6am to 10:30pm, to plan your activities accordingly.
- While amenities are limited, restrooms and picnic areas are available for visitor convenience.
- Stay on designated trails to protect the park's natural habitats and your own safety.
- Remember to carry out all trash and leave no trace to help preserve the park's beauty.
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