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Draco Hill Nature Farm

97%

· West Branch, Cedar, Iowa

75 acres hosted by Suzan E.

4 RV/tent sites

Best in Iowa: 3rd place

Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.

Amazing views

Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Suzan is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

A convenient 7 miles north of Interstate 80 but feels like an oasis away from it all. Summer has begun! The prairie is starting to flower, the mulberries are just finishing up and black raspberries are coming on in the woods for you to forage. Please take a taste and leave the rest for others to enjoy. There have also been black bear sightings in Cedar County! If one decides to visit, please steer clear of it. They are NOT as cute as they look, especially if you get between them and their food or cubs! This year, Draco Hill Nature Farm is hosting free events you can join in on when you camp. Coming up is a night time bug show and talk July 12 and prairie walks in August and September. See Dracohill.org/events for details. Make it part of your camping experience or sign up for your own private sustainable agriculture tour under "Extras." Enjoy nature in a private, wooded river valley setting. Go to sleep under the stars to the sound of frogs, cicadas, coyotes, deer and the rustling wind through the tallgrass prairie. Wake to an amazing sunrise over the river. Enjoy a hike through our 4 miles of trails on 75 acres of rolling woodlands and prairie, picking berries, finding mushrooms, scaring up a turkey or pheasant in the brush or listening to the birds. (Pull out your Merlin app to see who's singing!) Play in the river or upland pond, cut cattails and prairie grasses for souvenirs and enjoy being unplugged for a while. Your hosts are here if you need us, but we leave you to enjoy this beautiful place at your own pace. NOTE: It's raining more this summer than it has in 4 year so bring insect repellant. Poison ivy is also very prevalent. We spray chemicals as little as possible for your safety and the benefit of the environment so wear long pants in the woods and be vigilant around your campsite. We use TecNu - a product we scrub on and wash off if we get into poison ivy by mistake and it has kept us from any major outbreaks.

Activities

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Paddling

Natural features

Forest

River, stream, or creek

Swimming hole

Field

97%

639 ratings · 303 reviews

Beth A.recommends

September 23, 2024

Shade and Swimming

We loved this location- so quiet, nice trails and wildlife!

Erin H.recommends

September 23, 2024

Sun and Swimming

Repeat visitor

Really enjoyed our fourth trip here as a nice way to get outside for the night in a beautiful and quiet spot.

Michelle B.recommends

September 22, 2024

Shade and Swimming

Best camping spot in Iowa! We always have a great time.

David M.recommends

September 20, 2024

Shade and Swimming

Gorgeous spot right on the river with great amenities. Lovely paths for a stroll, and very secluded. Will be back!

Tessa H.

September 16, 2024

Sun and Swimming

To each their own, just my experien

I need to start with please be sure to read my entire review to fully understand. The property over all is beautiful. The trails are somewhat mowed (the family was sick and specifically mentioned that they had not mowed recently)....after I arrived. The Overall trails and variety of plants you get to go through are fantastic. The poison ivy is everywhere , but they do a great job of keeping out of the trails. (We did barefoot, staying on the trail and no poison ivy). We had an absolute blast for one day however....As, absolutely no fault to the host, Who is polite and gracious. The river's edge (property of county at the camp area and around) was mud That sunk to mid calf ,No sand, no sturdy rock. There were many giant pieces of Old rusted metal materials, garbage washed up plus the normal limbs, trees, sticks, fishing line icky crap you would expect. With that all added together It was literally impossible to get into the river to cool down. With that being said The property is great. But absolutely Do not book the sun and swimming , assuming that you could swim or cool down in the river. That site has absolutely 0 shade besides a tiny fire pit area. I Booked 2 nights we left the morning after the first night. Soooo sunny 🌞. Not funny. I also need to mention that you can clearly hear and see the people in campsite 2. The previous photos on this site are a bit deceiving for privacy. Not sun n swim.....just sun.

Katheryn M.recommends

September 8, 2024

Shade and Swimming

That's a niiice boulder

Suzan's land was gorgeous and really easy to get to. My sister and our husbands had a blast getting up to all sorts of shenanigans in the river very near our campsite and the Shrek style outhouses. Would recommend to anyone wanting to get out and cause some controlled mayhem.

Location

West Branch, Cedar, Iowa, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Báxoje Máyaⁿ (Ioway), oθaakiiwaki‧hina‧ki (Sauk) & Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking