Waubonsie is located in the unique "Loess Hills," a landform found only along the Missouri River in Iowa and Missouri and in China. As glaciers melted 14,000 to 28,000 years ago, the Missouri River became a major channel for huge volumes of water and sediment during the summer. In winter, the volume of the meltwater was reduced, leaving the deposited sediments exposed to the wind. These sediments of silt, clay and very fine sand particles called "loess", were then carried by strong westerly winds and deposited when these winds encountered the steep slopes of the east valley wall. There are several distinctive features of loess hills topography. Because of the fine texture of the soil, deep, steep-sided and very narrow ridge tops have been eroded in the hills. Small, step-like terraces called "cat steps" resulting from repeated slipping of the soil can be seen on many west-facing slopes. Since the soil drains rapidly, nearly vertical cuts can be made in the soil without erosion. The unique topography of the park resembles the "badlands" of the west and harbors plants like the yucca which are normally found in more arid climates.

Facilities and Activities

Picnicking/Shelters
Waubonsie is a great place for a family picnic. A scenic open picnic shelter may be reserved online through the park reservation system.

Camping
The campground includes several electrical hookups, modern shower and rest room facilities, and a trailer dump station. The equestrian campground also contains several campsites and non-modern rest room facilities. Advance campsite reservations can be made online through the park reservation system. One fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Trails
There are 7 miles of foot trails and 8 miles of equestrian trails winding along windswept ridges down into gorges and valleys. Waubonsie offers the hiker a wonderful experience. The scenery along the trails is incomparable. The horseback rider will likewise enjoy the trails and the opportunity to use the equestrian campground. The Sunset Ridge Interpretive Trail provides visitors a chance to learn about many of the park's important plants and trees, as well as enjoy some tremendous views. Waubonsie State Park is a site on the national Lewis and Clark Historical Trail.  There are two major Rails-to-Trails located within 20 miles of the park.  One is the 86 mile Wabash Trace trail that can be accessed in the nearby towns of Shenandoah, Imogene, Malvern and the second trail is a 20 mile Steamboat Trace trail that can be accessed near Nebraska City. 

Wa-Shawtee Addition
In 2005 the former Wa-Shawtee Girl Scout Camp (642-acres) was purchased as an addition to Waubonsie State Park. This greatly expanded the types of recreational opportunities available in the park to include fishing, seasonal and year-round cabin accommodations, youth group camp and a year-round day-use rental lodge. A new road now connects Waubonsie and Wa-Shawtee. Eventually Wa-Shawtee will have two additional family cabins.

Cabins
Most of the buildings that formerly served as staff living quarters in the Wa-Shawtee camp have been remodeled into rental modern family cabins and camping cabins. Two year-round family cabins are available that vary in size from two-bedroom (Mischanaka[3] and three-bedroom (Shagbark[1]).  There is a studio family cabin (Kahiga[2]) available through the normal recreation season.  All have kitchens, bathrooms, heat and air-conditioning as well as stone fireplaces.

Five camping cabins are also available, two are year-round and are quite spacious. The 1400 square-foot Windy Knoll[6] camping cabin sleeps 10. Windy Knoll is ADA accessible, but the restroom for the cabin is not.  The 800 square-foot Chinquapin[5] camping cabin sleeps 4. Amenities include full heating and air conditioning, a kitchenette (microwave & refrigerator - no running water - water available outside), comfortable furniture, wood fireplaces, beautiful hardwood floors, outdoor fire rings and grills. Three other smaller camping cabins (Administration[4], Hide Away[9], and Cook's Cabin[8]) are also available but only through the normal recreation season. They have air-conditioning but no heat. Restroom and shower facilities for all camping cabins are available in the Waubonsie campground; quaint outhouses also accompany each camping cabin. All of these cabins can be reserved online through the park reservation system. In the future, two more cabins are slated to be remodeled as modern family cabins with full restroom facilities.

Day-Use Lodge
The Washawtee lodge is available for group rentals year-round.

Fishing
Visitors to Waubonsie can now enjoy access to Wa-Shawtee's peaceful little fishing pond, the seven-acre Lake Virginia. The lake which boasts a good stock of channel catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegill is also a great opportunity for canoeists and kayakers. Onsite parking is available with boat ramp access. Regulations include an Electric Motor Only restriction.

Amenities

Within park
Bicycling, Boat Launch Ramp, Boating, Cabins, Camping - Electric, Camping - Equestrian, Camping - Nonelectric, Camping Cabins, Cross Country Skiing, Day-use Lodge, Dump Station, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Picnic Area, Picnic Shelter, Playground, Restrooms, Scenic Driving Routes, Showers, Snowmobiling, Trails, Cross Country Skiing, Trails, Equestrian, Trails, Hiking, Trails, Snowmobile, Wildflower Viewing, Wildlife Viewing