This might be a great park, but the RV camping area is not safe! Our family had a terrible experience here on August 13, 2026. We will never return and would tell others that the park staff and park management were less then responsive to a potentially dangerous situation. Because there is zero security or check-in procedures with real people, anyone and everyone can come in off the road, day or night and set up camp. There was one camp host site at the park, but no one was manning it when we were there. When we contacted the park staff about a person that was camping at the park that was harassing us for money and cigarettes, their reply was "this happens all the time." We ended up leaving before night fall and when we contacted them in the morning to let them know we left (we also asked for a refund because of the safety issue) they said no. I would never take a chance of camping here again. read more

Cute kids playground Good spots for the campers. It's quiet. The bathroom facilities are great! Nice loop for rent camping. Easy to find Privacy is good. read more

Waubonsie State Park - Playground - Parks Near Me - Hamburg, Iowa

See all

We camped in a cabin for couple of nights at Waubonsie State Park near Hamburg, Iowa. It's about ten miles from Nebraska City. We had cabin #4 which at one time was part of a Girl Scout camp that got added to the existing park in the Loess Hills. For $60 a night we rented a two bedroom cabin. We could also bring our dogs. It didn't have running water or a bathroom but conveniently, a vault latrine and outdoor water pump were in close proximity. A regular bathroom with showers was a short walk away. There were two sets of bunk beds in one room and a full-sized bed in the other. Renters must provide their own bedding, pillows, towels, toiletry items, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and dinnerware. With a microwave and coffeemaker but no other appliances, some cooking was done outdoors. It did have a couch, a couple of chairs and a dinette set, as well as a picnic table outside. Waubonsie is a hikers paradise with lots of trails including equestrian trails and camping. If you're into fishing, Lake Virginia is 7 acres with largemouth bass, bluegill and channel cat. You can launch your boat (electric motor only) or peacefully canoe. Waubonsie is not for you if you like an action-filled vacation. It's a beautiful, quiet and peaceful retreat from stressful living. Not surprisingly, do watch out for ticks in the spring. read more

See all

All of the cabins are run down and no on-site park ranger. Very sad the State of Iowa has let this happen.

It was a gorgeous Saturday a couple of weeks ago so I decided to make the quick drive up I-29 and spend the afternoon at Waubonsie State Park. I have always been pleased with Iowa's State Parks, however this time it was not the case. I love to hike and was disappointed to find that most of the trails were overgrown and covered in spider webs. The area was very buggy and tick season was in high force so bug spray is a must if you plan to go this time of year. Not only were the trails poorly kept up, but the restroom facilities were as well. They were filled with bugs and webs making using the restroom a terrifying process! While the views of this state park were beautiful, I won't be going out of my way to go back anytime soon. read more

Waubonsie State Park - View from the top of the hiking trail overlooking trees and farmland below - Parks Near Me - Hamburg, Iowa

Good park with a great view at the overlook! We enjoyed hiking and being outdoors here.

The riding is fantastic! Eight miles of trails, with lots of hills to work your horse. Been coming here for years. The camping are and stalls are in very good shape. Highly recommend it for horseman who want a good work or a very nice day ride or to simply enjoy the camping and the scenery. read more

Waubonsie is a sweet little gem of a park set amidst Iowa's great Loess Hills. My husband and I planned a day trip down south, with Waubonsie as our first stop. The park is a little over an hour south of Council Bluffs, conveniently located to the east 5 miles off I-29. The park is free. Thanks to online guidance, we found where the trails with a view were and parked accordingly. The trail we hiked was about 2-3 miles roundtrip, with stunning views. One solid piece of the trail ran alongside the hill. Bring your camera and prepare to snap away. Admire nature and all the butterflies, birds and more. Pack a lunch, if you like; there are plenty of areas to comfortably eat. Word of advice: be wary of ticks. After arriving home, we discovered these little surprises. Clothe appropriately! read more

Waubonsie State Park - On one of the trails, sweeping views of Iowa farmland. - Parks Near Me - Hamburg, Iowa

I stopped here on my first leg of the southern Iowa Loess Hills tour, and I wish I had set more time aside for this Park, and brought more information. There is a Loess Hills Visitor Center off I-29 on the other side of Hwy 2, but it was stocked with an older couple, who really were not prepared to answer too many questions, and only had a primitive map to hand out. I only stopped at the Park Office/Lookout during the peak week of 2014 color, and hope to get back to see more. The only problem with the lookout area (which has a nice picnic area) is that at mid day you are looking right into the sun, so a morning or evening visit to this spot is recommended. read more

See all

This was a very cool park. I needed somewhere to go and explore on Memorial day and it was rainy, but I have to admit that I caught some really cool sites. I did feel like my blue umbrella was intriguing four hawks/eagles a little too much so that was a little freaky, but also exciting. The park was fairly empty which allowed me to drive around and look closely at some areas - I just wish that I had been able to sit somewhere lol - but all the benches were wet. I will definitely go back, it was absolutely beautiful. read more

Waubonsie straddles highway 2 just five minutes east of I-29. The Loess Hills beckon the entire way up I-29, and this park offers free entry, excellent trails, camping, cabins, pavilions, and breathless vistas that are almost like zip-lining. The main part of the park is on the south side of highway 2. All services and about 7 miles of trails are there. A primitive equestrian campground and equestrian trails are on the north side of the road just east of the main entrance. The trails are impossibly steep and the terrain is just as wild as you can imagine. Unless you are on horse, this section is best enjoyed in the cooler months. If you bring the kids, please educate them on the best way to enjoy the outdoors... which is to do so quietly. : ) read more

While the scenery is great, this park as a whole feels like a work in progress. We have had family reunions there the last two years and camped there this Memorial Day and overall the area left us wanting. The cabin we rented was poorly maintained (broken central a/c replaced by poorly installed, very loud window a/c) as were the "trails" which were very overgrown and washed out. Fair warning, bring your own firewood as signage at the campsites states that they will not provide it due to budget cuts. They have a pool and basketball court that could be great amenities with some maintenance but as it is right now they have fallen into disrepair and sit abandoned and unused. The once lovely lake is now overgrown and choked by vegetation, again I assume due to lack of use. It's a shame, it is a lovely spot and not a bad location but many other campsites in the area offer more amenities and are much better funded/maintained. read more

My family had a reunion at Waubonsie state park this last weekend. We rented the day lodge for the big event. We comfortably sat over 57 people--with plenty more room downstairs and outside for a much larger crowd. The day lodge has a full kitchen, modern restrooms, and Central Air--THAT STAYED COOL even with the traffic in and out. It is a beautiful space and would be great for wedding receptions or any other large group event. As a family we had rented 4 cabins, an RV spot and I believe we even had some tent campers. The cabins were spacious, had GREAT AC and were priced great. The Cabins we stayed in were the non-modern (read outhouses) and the water at the park was having issues so we were REALLY roughing it. (No pump water, showers, drinking water). Even with the rustic nature of the stay, we all enjoyed ourselves. Originally I was going to down grade because of the water issue. I have to say though I felt that the campground and reservation center did a great job of making us aware of the situation and compensating us. The water issue was clearly out of their hands and they handled it the best they could. I can say without a doubt I would recommend this campground to anyone whether for the cabins or the reception hall. I can't wait to see the changes that will be being made over the next few years as they add more cabins and fix the pool! read more