Hillview Recreation Area: Plymouth County's Outdoor Gem
Explore Iowa's great outdoors at Hillview Recreation Area: camping, hiking, wildlife, and year-round adventure await!
Hillview Recreation Area, a 580-acre park located just west of Hinton, Iowa, serves as the Plymouth County Conservation Board headquarters and a hub for outdoor recreation. The area features a diverse landscape, including open grasslands, reconstructed prairie, oak woodlands, and wildlife habitats. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year. From May through mid-October, three campgrounds—Deer Ridge, Bur Oak, and Beaver Creek—offer different camping experiences ranging from modern campsites with electric and water hookups to primitive tent camping. The park also features a 3.3-acre pond with a swimming beach open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, hiking trails suitable for various activities, and hunting in designated areas from mid-October to early January. Other amenities include picnic areas, a reservable picnic shelter, a Center for Outdoor Learning, playgrounds, a disc golf course, and an elk herd that adds a unique touch to the park's charm. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy snow tubing and snowshoeing. With its well-maintained trails and diverse recreational opportunities, Hillview Recreation Area provides a serene escape for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature.
Local tips
- Visit during the fall to witness the majestic bull elk's antlers and enjoy the vibrant autumn colors.
- Wear blaze orange if using the trails during hunting season (October 15 - January 10) for safety.
- Reserve the Center for Outdoor Learning or picnic shelter for events.
- Check water quality conditions before swimming in the pond, as algae growth can vary.
A brief summary to Hillview Recreation Area
- 25601 C60, Hinton, Iowa, 51024, US
- +1712-947-4270
- Visit website
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Getting There
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Driving
Hillview Recreation Area is located one mile west of Hinton on County Road C60. From Hinton, head west on C60. The park entrance is well-marked. Parking is available throughout the park near the various activity areas. Parking is free.
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Taxi
Taxis and rideshares like Uber and Lyft are available in Hinton, though wait times may be longer than in larger cities. A taxi from downtown Hinton to Hillview Recreation Area, roughly 1 mile, will cost around $2.50, with a discounted rate of $2.00 for seniors. Call SWITA Taxi at 712-243-2518 or Atlantic Taxi at 712-249-0566.
