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Hitchcock Nature Center

ALERTS:

Campground Updates

  • 4/9/25: The shower house is open and water is on. Full hookup sites are available with all amenities ($30 per night).

Prescribed Burn Updates

The Natural Areas Management department may conduct prescribed burning along hiking trails and park structures anytime during your visit. Burning decisions are based on weather conditions and land management plans.

  • Upcoming Burn Plans: Week of April 7th (April 7th, April 8th, April 9th)
  • Locations: Please view our interactive trail map for more details.
    • April 7th - Between Boardwalk Trail and the campground, affecting Moonseed, Oak Avenue, Honeke, and Bunker Hill trails. Smoke will be present throughout the park. 
    • April 8th - Along Page Lane, Ski Hill Loop, and a section of timber and reconstructed prairie south/southeast of the park entrance. No expected fire impact to trails. Some smoke will be present throughout the park, likely concentrated at the park entrance near the playground and Heartwood Pavilion.
    • April 9th: Some spot burning will take place in select areas of the park. Most activity will be concentrated north of Page Lane and east of Boardwalk Trail. Some burning will take place west of the walk-in fishing pond near Lotus Loop Trail. Smoke will blow southeast.
  • Time:
    • April 9th: Afternoon
  • Safety tips: Stay on trails, which act as a natural fire break. Turn around if you feel uncomfortable. If applicable, follow staff instructions. If smoke inhalation is a concern, please visit another day.
  • What should I do if I notice something burning, but I'm not sure whether it's supposed to be?
    • It is expected and normal for downed trees or large logs to continue burning and smoking for days, sometimes even weeks, after a prescribed burn. Aren't sure about whether something should be burning? Please text the location, a description, and a photo to 402-504-0182, or call 9-1-1 if you believe it is an emergency. Thank you!
  • Check PurpleAir: Real-Time Air-Quality Monitor

Other Updates

  • Spring-Fall Gallery Hours are currently in place. See below for details.
  • Boardwalk is CLOSED until further notice due to damage sustained in a wind storm. Please feel free to use the dirt trail adjacent to Boardwalk, which is open.
  • Park facilities are now powered by solar thanks to our community partners including: Audubon Society of Omaha, CMET, Gilchrist Foundation, Hitchcock Foundation, Iowa West Foundation, Kiewit Foundation, LHMRR Parks to People, Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation, Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Pottawattamie County Conservation Board and Union Pacific Foundation
  • Click here to learn more about the Crescent Hill at Hitchcock (formerly Mt. Crescent Ski Area) Master Plan.
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.

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

Loess Hills Lodge & Gallery Hours

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

Reservations & Info

Heartwood Pavilion

Starting at $250.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #1- Hohneke Pond

Starting at $10.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #2 Fox Run Ridge

Starting at $10.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #3 Cottonwood

Starting at $10.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #4 High Point

Starting at $10.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #5 Badger Ridge

Starting at $10.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #6 Shea Way

Starting at $10.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Backcountry Campsite #7 Heritage

Starting at $10.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Blazing Star Cabin (Cabin 1)

Starting at $75.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Bur Oak Cabin (Cabin 2)

Starting at $75.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Goldenrod Cabin (Cabin 3)

Starting at $75.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Modern Group Tent Campsite

Starting at $50.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Nature Center Modern Tent Camping

Starting at $10.00

Reservations & Info

Hitchcock Nature Center RV Campground

Starting at $25.00

Reservations & Info

The Bluestem Room at the Loess Hills Lodge

Starting at $350.00

Reservations & Info

The Goldfinch Room at the Loess Hills Lodge

Starting at $350.00

Reservations & Info

Park Staff

Chad Kunze

Hitchcock Nature Center Park Ranger
chad.kunze@pottcounty-ia.gov
712-328-5833

Read Bio

Photo 1Photo 2Photo 3Photo 4Photo 5Photo 6Photo 7Photo 8Photo 9Photo 10Photo 11Photo 12Photo 13Photo 14Photo 15Photo 16Photo 17Photo 18Photo 19Photo 20Photo 21Photo 22Photo 23Photo 24Photo 25Photo 26Photo 27Photo 28Photo 29 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

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Join the Pottawattamie Conservation Foundation today and gain access to Pottawattamie County parks year-round.

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Hitchcock Nature Center Map

Follow the Park
227 S 6th St.
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
(712) 328-5600
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