My First Time at Newton Hills State Park Get our free mobile app The park is open year-round and has trails for hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and boating. Woodland Indian Culture inhabited the area between 300 B.C. and 900 A.D. Newton Hills State Park is named after William Newton, an early settler. His wife was one of the first midwives in the area. Newton Hills boasts a dark forest among open prairie, which would be a great place to hide treasure! There are many legends and stories about the area. The stories include buried gold, robbers hiding out, and horse thieves.