waubonsie state park

This was the setting for my first camping trip in 40 years. Even in late October, the campground was crowded with family, extended families and couples of all ages. If you're looking for a secluded place away from it all, this isn't for you. But if you enjoy being among friendly folks of all ages, this is a fun place to pitch a tent or park your RV. Unlike the bigger commercial campgrounds, this one has somewhat limited features, but the facilities are well-maintained and the views are lovely. Most of the campgound features huge trees and cooling shade. There are cabins for rent and an equestrian camping area. Stay up late and you'll be amazed at the night sky, including a clear view of the Milky Way.

Beautiful scenic and quiet. A great place to spend the day hiking or picnicking. Secluded and pristine.

To get to Waubonsie, you drive through the boring flat country of I-29, and across miles of flat farm ground. Then suddenly the road begins to rise and the forest thickens. The roar of I-29 disappears and the deep silence of the rolling hills takes its place. The park is large, but the campgrounds are small and crowded together. However, the cabins are what sets the place apart. There are a variety of models, most with covered outdoor seating areas. The cabins are spaced quite a distance from each other, so you feel as though you are by yourself. The cabins are primitive, with the only running water in the outdoor spigot. The outhouse is a short distance out back. Of course, you can always walk or drive to more modern showers and restrooms in the main campground. As evening sets in and campfires light up, you can hear the forest come alive with bird calls and watch the stars come out as the lights of Nebraska City or Omaha don't intrude that far. Definitely need tom come back.

Few people seem to know about Waubonsie State Park but it is a delightful place to picnic, camp, hike, enjoy the fall leaves or watch the trees come alive in the spring.

This is a beautiful hidden jewel. A short drive from Hamburg,IA or Nebraska City,Ne, right off of Hwy #2. It was formally a scout camp. When it was closed , the state took it over and made it a state park. You can go for a nice drive or hike around the park or you can rent a cabin and spend longer amount of time. A great place for a family reunion or picnic. Just love the BIG OLD Oak trees. A lovely setting on the bluffs ( Loess Hills) over looking the Missouri river valley.

There isn't much of a campground here. One small one with campers right next to each other. Too close for us. Need more trees and bigger lots. Park itself was pretty.

I grew up not far away and spent many days hiking these trails. We went back this spring for 4 days staying in one of the cabins. It still a great place to spend a few days enjoying nature and hiking and the cabins are very reasonable priced.

THe views are the best and loved walking the trails during the fall when the leaves were changing.

Excellent park with a lot of room to spread out and enjoy the bluffs. The bath house has to be one of the nicest I have yet seen and the roads are all perfect.

Spectactular views of the Missouri River Basin. Nice cabins to rent as well!

This park shows off the Loess Hills of Eastern Iowa (a landform only seen in such extent in China's Yellow River valley). The Sunset Ridge trail offers great views from the top of the steeply sloped loess hills. Unfortunately, the information about the trail is misleading. It is supposed to be 0.8 miles long, but that appears to only be the case if you turn around as soon as you come to the end of the developed trail (at the edge of the loess hills). If you continue along the narrow single-track trail (where all the great scenery is), you are in for a much longer (probably closer to 2.8 miles) time of it - not a problem usually, but doing it at midday in 90 degree heat really got to us. There is little to no signage on this supposedly "interpretive" trail, so don't think that will help you out. The online map is sparsely annotated as well, so you're pretty much on your own. You'll get back to the park road; it'll just take you a lot longer than you thought.