Iowa is home to one of the Midwest's best campgrounds, new list says.
What better way to kick off the summer than eating smores over a campfire and sleeping under the stars?
But before you can enjoy the recreation, you have to pick where to pitch your tent. If you're looking for a top-rated campground, you might not have to travel very far.
Dyrt, a platform dedicated to camping tips and campgrounds reviews released a list of the best places to camp in the Midwest. So where did Iowa place on the list?
Where is the best place to camp in Iowa?
Pottawattamie County is home to one of the best camping spots in the Midwest, according to Dyrt. Hitchcock Nature Center, located in Honey Creek, ranked second on the list. It was followed by Mouth of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground in Michigan. The only location that beat Hitchcock Nature Center was Sand Springs Campgrounds in Ohio.
More: Peak camping season started. What's new at Iowa's state parks?
Where is the Hitchcock Nature Center?
While visiting the Hitchcock Nature Center you will be transported back in time to Iowa's original ecosystem. The campsite is located on 1,500 acres of prairie and savannah known as the Loess Hills. At the highest point of the park, there is even a gallery and gift shop known as the Loess Hill Lodge, according to Dyrt.
The Loess Hills formed thousands of years ago by the glaciers and winds carrying glacial till. Shaanxi, China is the only other location where loess, a mineral-rich sediment, reaches deposits 200 feet deep or more. The Loess Hills are part of the less than 0.1% of prairie that remains in the state of Iowa, according to Pottawattamie County.
What is at the Hitchcock Nature Center?
If sleeping on the ground isn't your thing, there is a site for RVs. There is also a modern bathhouse. Even though some sites may require a mile-plus hike through "rough terrain," it will all be worth it when you are looking over the ridge of the Missouri River Valley.
There are 10 miles of unpaved trail systems to explore. While hiking, prepare to stop for birdwatching. Come prepped with water and tall socks. The trails are not open to bikes, horses or ATVs.
Travel: Loess Hills give Iowa surprising character
How much is it to stay at Hitchcock Nature Center?
Full-hookup campsites are $30 per night and a $5 parking admission per vehicle. Remember to bring a cash or check to pay the fee at the gate. Standard sites are $10 while cabins can range from $75 to $300 a night depending on the time of the reservation.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa is home to one of the best campsites in the Midwest. Where is it?
