Pine Bluff 4-H Camp includes 115 acres of pine-covered bluffs, beautiful trails and the scenic Upper Iowa River flowing through it. Let’s take a tour and see a little of the camp!
Shelter
The shelter pavilion is where many people can hang out, cook and eat, play music and reconnect with familiar faces. It has a cement floor and is sheltered on one side by the kitchen and part of another side with the fireplace and a garage door. Dimensions are approximately 75 feet by 36 feet.
There are 15 picnic tables, numerous benches, and a fireplace with a fantastic kitchen attached. Plenty of outlets available around the perimeter. Links to PDF’s of the circuit maps are below under “Electrical Circuits”.
Wifi is available around the shelter area.
Kitchen
The large kitchen has a commercial stove (six burners, a 24″ griddle top, and two ovens), five stainless sinks, a two-door commercial cooler, and two chest freezer (one small, one larger), and an aluminum 30-cup coffeemaker available for use. There is a pass-through window for serving and another window to return dishes.
There are cook pots, mixing bowls and cooking utensils, plus approximately 200 miscellaneous coffee cups, 70 plastic lunch trays, 30 plates, miscellaneous flatware (at least 60 forks and spoons) as well a few bowls.
There is a phone in the kitchen, see the Phone Service note below about that.
There is also a defibrillator and basic first aid kit in the kitchen.
There is no Cleaning Service, so please clean the dishes and the space before you leave. Thank you!
Electrical Circuits in Kitchen and Shelter
The circuit breaker for the kitchen and shelter is located in the kitchen.
Click here for a pdf of kitchen circuit map
Click here for a pdf of the shelter circuit map
Restrooms/Showers
Restrooms are located about 50 yards from the Pavilion and near the 4 cabins. Though rather rustic, each men’s and women’s restroom has hot and cold water with three showers, two toilets, and a sink. The camp supplies toilet paper and hand soap, though it wouldn’t hurt to bring extra supplies if you have a large group.
Cabins
There are four group-cabins available for use at Pine Bluff. Three of the cabins sleep 16 people each, and the fourth cabin sleeps 10 people.
These are small RUSTIC BUNKHOUSE style cabins with bunk beds much like you would find at, well…a 4-H camp. You may need to open windows and sweep when you arrive.
Campers bring their own bedding, towels, etc.
All cabins have a ceiling fan. Renters may bring one air conditioning unit per cabin for $20 per day per unit.
Camping
For those of you who want to camp there is plenty of green space and many trails to pitch a tent. Most tenting spots are located along a field between the Pavilion and the cabins. The ground is perfect for tenting and the stars can be amazing.
Lower area by the volleyball nets: You can drive your supplies to the lower areas near the volleyball sand, but please do not park down there. This area can flood, so camp at your own risk and be willing to move ahead of time if there is risk of flooding.
RV’s and Pop-up Trailers
RV’s and Pop-up trailers can camp in the parking area. There are only 4 outlets available for electricity.
Playground
Full playground is located right next to the Pavilion and kitchen.
Pets
Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash at all times. Campers must clean up after their pets.
Phone Service and Wifi
There is wifi at the shelter.
Cell phone service at Pine Bluff is usually non-existent, but your cell phone might work using the wifi.
There is a phone in the kitchen available for use that is hooked into our fiber optics system and is able to call long distance numbers.
Camp Kitchen Phone 563-382-5570
Parking
Here is an aerial photo of the camp, with parking areas circled.
Season
Pine Bluff is for warm weather use and is closed during the winter. The camping season is from May 1 – October 1.
Activities Available
Nature Trail Hiking
Nature Study
Canoeing (canoes not available at the camp)
Tubing (with life jackets)
Fishing (follow Iowa’s fishing laws)
Outdoor Cooking
Softball
Volleyball
Campfire Circles
