RUN AWAY TO THE HIDEAWAY
Loess Hills Hideaway is a privately-owned campground and cabin getaway just 1-hour north of Omaha near Moorhead, IA. With over 35 acres of secluded forest, well-kept winding trails, and comfortable accommodations, it’s the perfect getaway spot for a weekend out of the city. With no frills and no fuss, this isn’t a full-service State Park with all the bells and whistles. However, we’ve found it to be our favorite place for unplugging and privacy during any season of the year.
Our dog is scared of fireworks. Like ‘hide in the basement and wears a diaper’ scared. After five years of being trapped indoors during the week leading up to the 4th of July, we decided this year we’d go somewhere without the big scary boom noises. For all of us to be happy outside, we knew we needed quiet.
We’ve been to Loess Hills Hideaway twice before - once during the first COVID Christmas 2020 and once again with our camper in the fall of 2021. We keep coming back because it offers peace and solitude, appropriate amenities, and is dog-friendly. You won’t find 50 RV’s with loud generators lined up. You won’t be competing on the trails. It truly is the best spot we’ve found for us nature nerds to enjoy some quiet wild.
WHERE TO STAY
Check out their Accommodations Page for details on where you can stay on the property.
There are a few options for cabins, depending on your needs (# of people, bathrooms, beds). We’ve only stayed in the small red cabins - and for just a few people - they’re great. With options for beds, a couch, a small kitchenette and table, they’re just what you need for a weekend trip any time of year. All of the small red cabins have heat and A/C and are a short walk to the (very clean!) bathhouse and shower. You have a patio deck, picnic table, and firepit. We’ve found these small cabins to be an excellent simple spot that have been tidy, well-kept, and have just enough to be comfortable. There are 4 small cabins total.
For larger groups or families, you may want to check out the Homestead, Cottage, or Lodge. These cabins have more rooms, beds, and kitchen space. They also have an in-house bathroom.
The cabins run from $80/night for the smaller cabins up to $150/night for the larger cabins.
There is also a small campground (six spots) for small campers and tents. It’s tucked down into a grassy area with some privacy away from cabins, but still close to the bathhouse and trails.
THINGS TO DO
We like to “do nothing” when we unplug, so LHH is perfect for that - playing cards on the patio, building a fire, reading a book in a hammock. There aren’t any attractions on site - you won’t find a waterpark or horseback riding and you should assume you’ll be doing most of the cooking, no cafe on site.
However, here are some things we’ve done and enjoyed when we’re feeling slightly more ambitious:
For longer/intense hiking and hills with scenic views, Preparation Canyon State Park is just down the road.
Craving ice cream? It’s worth the 30-minute drive to small-town Dunlap to get a treat at Dairy Sweet
Bring your rod and reel and walk down to Savery Pond, just across the road from LHH for an evening of fishing
It’s important to note - LHH is about 30-minutes from any services or shops. The cellphone reception isn’t great and there isn’t an easy place to run if you forget something. It really is wonderfully secluded, but know that you won’t have all the conveniences of city life at your fingertips. We’ve found that 2-3 days is the perfect amount of time to visit.
PROS/CONS & FINAL THOUGHTS
Here are some things you can reasonably expect when staying at LHH:
It’s quiet, peaceful, secluded - NOT a party campsite. Most folks are there to simply enjoy some nature time and keep to themselves.
The small cabins have all you need to feel comfortable, but are not glamorous. Beds are nice, AC/Heat works well, and you can throw some food in the microwave if you don’t want to cook over the fire. The TV’s may have a few channels that work and you’ll need to run down a few steps to a bathroom. The beds have fitted sheets, but you do need to bring your own blankets and pillows.
It’s dog friendly and the trails are well-maintained. This isn’t the spot to hike if you’re trying to get miles in, as the trails are short, but there are some beautiful overlooks and different areas to wander and bird watch.
You’re 30 minutes from services and cell reception is spotty. So pack wisely and abundantly, you won’t want to forget something.
Firewood is $5 for a bundle on site, and our favorite evening activity has been enjoying the front porch and firepit while listening to the sounds. Go on a full-moon weekend and hope for clear skies, you’re in for a real treat.
WANNA GO? How to contact/reserve:
Sounds pretty sweet, huh? We think so too.
Honestly, it was hard to even write this blog because we don’t want our secret spot to be too popular!
In the spirit of slowing down, reserving your spot isn’t as easy as clicking on an online portal. You’ll need to reach out to Martin Bast, the fantastic owner of Loess Hills Hideaway. Send over your preffered dates and cabin to thebasts@cox.net or give him a call at (402) 660-3267. From there, you’ll send in a check via postal mail for the total amount for your stay. He has always been quick to respond, kind and accommodating.
Driving one hour out of town was perfect for our plan to escape the firework noise. Instead of stressing, Sunnie got to frolic through the fields and chow down on some hotdogs. We got to disconnect from our busy work lives and engage in some competitive UpWords games.
However you like to “outdoors”, I like to encourage it. If you’re new to “outdoorsing”, LHH is an approachable and easy spot to learn to love the wild.
