The great state of Iowa has a lot to offer. There’s plenty of cornfields, but that’s not all there is! With the rolling hills and the gorgeous landscape, it makes for a wonderful place to spend some time camping in an RV with your family. Luckily you can find a nice campground in just about any area you would like to visit in the state of Iowa, so choose from this list of best campgrounds around the most populated cities.
1. Pikes Peak State Park
Pikes Peak State Park, located in Marion County, offers camping, fishing, boating, and picnicking near Mount Pleasant. Amenities include showers, restrooms with showers, horseshoe pits, and a dump station. There’s no wifi, but some sites do have cable TV hookups.
With its spectacular views of the Mississippi River, it’s worth a detour to spend some time at Pikes Peak State Park.
The state park also offers hiking, bird watching, and mountain biking, as well as trails leading through prairie grasslands and forests.
2. Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park and Reservation in Maquoketa, Iowa is one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in the state. One of its main attractions is a long winding trail called “The Big Slide.” The trail itself is made up of sandstone and at points gets slippery when wet. It leads visitors to stalactites hanging from the ceiling and other amazing rock formations. This natural wonderland also boasts Cathedral Cave, where huge stalagmites rise from the floor and limestone walls glow with surreal brilliance.
Activities are hiking, caving or spelunking, and exploring. In addition, there is a small lake with fishing and boating for outdoor fun. Tent camping is also available in the park’s many picnic areas.
The park is located near the town of Maquoketa. The address is 563 W Water St, Maquoketa IA 52060
3. Des Moines KOAACampground
This campground offers both year-round and seasonal sites for those traveling in either their RV or tent. The majority of the sites are equipped with water and electric hookups as well as picnic tables and fire rings. There is also a heated pool and spa, playgrounds, recreation rooms, and two bathhouses that have showers and laundry facilities.
They offer glamping tent sites as well as RV sites. The tent sites are furnished with king size beds with plush bedding, luxury baths plus a shower, A/C and heaters. Other amenities include free wi-fi internet access, satellite TV, outdoor lighting, and grills.
Plan ahead for the summer by visiting their website which has a calendar of planned weekend activities every weekend throughout the summer. They have activities for the family, including two dog parks, trampoline basketball, paddle boats, pedal boats, and more to go with numerous planned weekend events every week during the season.
4. Bellevue State Park
Bellevue State Park is a great place to camp for those who enjoy the outdoors. It is located along the Mississippi River just outside Bellevue.
The Bellevue campground offers both RV and tent camping, as well as electric hookups, dumping, restrooms, and showers.
The campgrounds are open year-round. Those who enjoy boating, fishing, or hunting will find this area particularly enjoyable.
5. Stone State Park
Stone State Park is in the southwestern part of Iowa and is one of the most beautiful campgrounds in all of Iowa. It’s right on the shore of Lake Red Rock, which provides hours of fun on its waveless surface.
Stone State Park has a great nature trail through the woods where you can see wildlife like deer, geese, wild turkeys, beavers, egrets, and herons. You can also take advantage of the picnic areas scattered throughout Stone State Park for an outdoor lunch or dinner to enjoy with your family. There are showers for guests who have been camping at Stone State Park so everyone can get refreshed before heading home.
Camping season at Stone State Park starts in March each year and ends after Thanksgiving weekend.
You will discover a well-maintained campground with electric sites, cabins for rent, and basic amenities such as restrooms and showers at the Stone State Park campground.
6. Harvest Farm Campground Resort
Harvest Farm Campground Resort is located in West Burlington, Iowa, and it offers several fun activities for campers. The campground is open year-round and has grassy areas for pitching tents or parking RVs. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, a small store where campers can purchase snacks, firewood, and camping supplies, restrooms with flush toilets, hot showers, and laundry facilities on the premises. Campfires are allowed on sites that have metal fire rings set up or in designated fire pits throughout the property. Sites also have picnic tables overlooking the scenic Mississippi River Valley.
Campers must be at least 25 years old to stay at Harvest Farm Campground Resort unless they are accompanied by someone over 25 years of age. Reservations can be made online or by phone. Harvest Farm Campground Resort is approximately 75 miles west of Davenport, Iowa.
7. Lost Island Waterpark KOA Resort
Lost Island Waterpark KOA Resort is one of the best in Iowa. The KOA is also pet-friendly so feel free to bring your family pooch along.
Lost Island Waterpark KOA Resort has over 50 campsites, includes a playground, bike rentals, fishing at Lost Island Lake, and a mini-golf course with arcade games at the arcade building next door. Another bonus for families is that they have discounted tickets for rides on roller coasters and water slides at Adventureland Amusement Park just down the road for everyone staying between Saturday and Sunday night!
8. Clear Lake State Park
Clear Lake State Park, located on the eastern shore of Clear Lake in Iowa, is a great spot for your next camping trip. It offers lengthy beaches and plenty of fun on the water. If you’re looking to get out and enjoy nature, Clear Lake State Park is a great choice. The park has 1,515 acres and offers boating and canoeing.
It’s an excellent place for bird watching as well. You’ll have plenty of chances here to see songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, owls, and more birds. Just be sure to bring your binoculars if you want to see them up close!
If camping isn’t really your thing, there are also cabins available at the park that you can rent out by the night or week. It offers sixteen cabins that sleep six people each with running water and electricity included in the rental price. Each cabin also includes a grill outside so you can cook up a tasty meal to eat outside on the cabin’s deck.
Clear Lake State Park also offers swimming and picnicking for those who want to stay on land.
9. Arrowhead Park
Arrowhead Park is located in the Northeast corner of Iowa, this park has one small section that is on a beach and it holds some of the best fishing in the state. There are campsites available to choose from, with many amenities including fishing, playgrounds, volleyball courts, bicycling, walking trails, campfires, and horseshoe pits.
This campground is open from May 1st until October 31st of each year. There is an admission fee for visitors not staying overnight; the admission must be paid before 5 pm, so day-trippers cannot visit after that time. Pets are allowed on leashes within designated areas.
Arrowhead Park is an easy-to-use Iowa campground with all you need for a family camping trip.
10. Palisades-Kepler State Park
Palisades-Kepler State Park is a lovely, rustic camping site along the Cedar River in Iowa.
All camping options are first come first serve and RV hookups are not available. There is a dump station for RVs however. Other features include river access, trails for hiking and biking, birding, geocaching, and hunting (in season). During the winter months, there is cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
There are also four camping cottages that can accommodate up to four people for a fee. If glamping in luxury is your thing.
The 4-mile loop path through the woods is fantastic for hiking or cycling, which you can extend to 6 miles by adding in along the Cedar River. Sites provide electricity and modern showers.
11. Sleepy Hollow RV Park & Campground
For more than 50 years, Sleepy Hollow RV Park & Campground has been a popular family-friendly getaway spot for travelers from all over the world. In addition to having over 200 spacious sites, Sleepy Hollow RV Park & Campground also offers many amenities, including a pool and a playground. Sleepy Hollow RV Park & Campground is located in Iowa, USA.
There are basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, beach volleyball courts, and a large activity field. The pool is open from mid-May through mid-September.
Campers are able to choose between different activities or simply relax in the serene surroundings of Sleepy Hollow RV Park & Campground. If you’re looking for an ideal place for your family vacation, then Sleepy Hollow RV Park & Campground is the place for you.
12. Squaw Creek Park
The Squaw Creek Park is a great place to stay for your camping needs. The park has 1,500 acres of space and plenty of room for activities such as camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking trails/roads, picnicking areas, and biking paths. Some other amenities provided by the campground are restrooms with showers and an amphitheater. This is a very scenic spot so visitors should not be surprised if they find themselves taking lots of pictures!
13. Adventureland Campground
Adventureland Campground is a lovely family campground in Altoona, IA that offers both RV and tent camping. It has many amenities like laundry facility, swimming pool and restrooms with showers and has WIFI throughout the park
Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to relax or activities like fishing and hiking, Adventureland Campground has it all! The staff is very friendly and helpful as well.
The Adventureland Resort is located five minutes from the amusement and water park, making it ideal for families.
14. Pulpit Rock Campground
Pulpit Rock Campground is located in the northeast area of Iowa. It is situated on the edge of Sioux County, next door to George Lasker’s access area of Loess Hills State Forest. This campground near Hawkeye is open year round. All utilities are available here, with electric hookups and restrooms/showers/laundry facilities.
Gravel roads are present at this facility for easy travel in any season. There are also two canoe launches on Big Sioux River, but no swimming or boating is allowed here due to dangerous currents and cold water temperature which hovers around 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime. Fishing for channel catfish can be done though!
Parking spots abound in this massive campground, hosting many different camping experiences such as group sites and deluxe cabins. Canoe and kayak rentals can also be done here, for use on Big Sioux River.
Pulpit Rock Campground is a fantastic place to take your family camping! It has all the amenities of home, including any convenience you may need for washing up after a fun day of outdoor activities.
Located just off Highway 44, Pulpit Rock Campground is an excellent location for those traveling through Iowa in their RVs or campers. With 22 full hookup sites and several partial service ones as well, it’s easy to see why this campground near Hawkeye is perfect for those wanting a great view at their site!
15. Lake McBride State Park
Lake McBride State Park is the best Iowa RV campground for anyone with a large camper who is looking to have an amazing bird-watching experience.
Lake McBride State Park is located in Iowa City, IA on the banks of Lake MacBride which is part of Coralville Lake. The park is very family-oriented and full of activities that are bound to please anyone visiting. There are also many hiking trails within the park as well as biking trails if you are looking for something more difficult. If you feel like staying at your campsite there are still options available to you including swimming, fishing, boating or even playing horseshoes!
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best campgrounds in Iowa. This state has so much to offer, and we want to provide a comprehensive guide for anyone looking for an RV vacation this summer! If you’re still on the fence about where to go, do some research online or explore what your friends have told you about their favorite places. And if all else fails, give us a call and we can help figure out which location is perfect for your travel style too. Happy camping!
