Top Hotels in Iowa Campgrounds
Top Things to do in Iowa
10 Top-Rated Campgrounds in Iowa
History and monuments dot this landscape almost as often as the golden farmlands. Learn about America’s 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. In northeast Iowa is the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a group of prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds. This part of Iowa is also home to the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage. The 37-county region tells the story of American agriculture, agribusiness and farm life and is affiliated with the National Park Service. In addition, there are five national wildlife refuges here.
If you love history, imagine seeing the Amana Colonies, consisting of seven historic villages in 1855 by German immigrants as a religious communal society. Here you can also buy antiques, hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks and locally made wine and beer. In Ames, take the family to see the Christian Petersen Art Museum, a newer structure that exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss the state capital of Des Moines, home to Blank Park Zoo with its naturalistic exhibits and more than 800 animals from five continents. You also should enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor family entertainment venue.
Things to do in Iowa
1. Honey Creek Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 371 reviews
Great experience but some improvements could be made
Reviewed By IowaIndigoGirlI stayed here with four other adult family members and two dogs in a four-bedroom cottage. We had a great time. The cottage provided everything we needed but wasn’t as clean as we’d have liked. The living room furniture and kitchen appliances are worn out and could be replaced considering they tout this as a “luxury” cottage. The beds are comfortable though. The outside area around the cottage is beautiful and well maintained. They could provide a better grill. The one we used was quite rustic and challenging to cook on. It’d Aldi suggest they provide outdoor chairs for the deck or at least let guests know they need to bring their own. We ordered food to go from the restaurant one night and it took a few calls to reach the restaurant. They were supposed to call us when our food was ready but after several minutes one person in our party went to the restaurant and picked up our food which had been ready for a while. We ordered a pizza which was good as was the Caesar salad. We never used the water park. All in all we had a great experience and would recommend staying here.
2. Trickling Waters Retreat
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Wonderful, quiet place to relax
Reviewed By brendaj2951We stayed the night in The Veranda. Everything about this place is peaceful and relaxing.The gardens are well kept and attract goldfinches galore. The koi pond is full of hungry mouths wanting you to feed them.The room was spacious and immaculately clean.Our room had a full kitchenette, king size bed, comfy couch and recliner. Lots of space to spread out! Nice balcony to sit on and have a cup of coffee. The host was super friendly and offered good suggestions for dinner. They even provided us some music while we used the hot tub. Our friends stayed in the Pine Lodge room and loved its decor and location.
3. On-Ur-Wa RV Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 68 reviews
Very convenient and clean RV Park on I-29
Reviewed By Road736360On-Ur-Wa RV Park, though not a destination vacation spot, is fantastic for an overnight stay en route to your destination. It is conveniently located less than a minute from I-29, (though we heard to highway traffic where we parked on the back row); provides late checkin, has good width gravel roads through the camp, nice, tall oak trees for shade (lower limbs removed to prevent accidental obstacles to your RV). Full hookups with easy access to nice pull-through spots. The bathroom/shower house is brightly lit and clean. The office boasts a very nicely stocked store. The rates are very fair, and she will even help you obtain a Good Sam’s card for 10% discount on stays at participating “Good Sam” RV parks. Sorry I forgot to take any pictures!
4. Des Moines West KOA
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 90 reviews
Busy Place
Reviewed By Cynthia KSo, 20 years ago in 2001 we stayed here on our back home from Yellowstone. It was a dismal place. The guy who ran the place was a jerk. There was a terrible odor all through the campground, which turned out to be dozens of dead fish in their retention pond. We vowed never to go back. While planning our latest trip I decided to stop here. 20 years makes a world of difference! This place is great! Clean bathrooms/showers with NO CODE! Friendly service. The sites are upgraded & nicely graveled. The pond was dead fish free. If I had one complaint - there's no shower/bathroom at the end of the rows. You have to walk all the back to the end to shower. We were in site 52. My mobility challenged husband caught a ride to & from with the guy on the golf cart (thanks!). Many KOAs have a small toilet/shower combo for use when the main building is far away. Might be something to consider.
5. Lakeshore RV Resort & Campground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Lakeshore RV Resort & Campground is located on Lake Oelwein in northeast Iowa. We are a privately owned, child and family-friendly campground where our passion is to serve our camping guests with a high level of commitment and excellence. Providing a simple, wholesome environment for all ages to enjoy nature and the beautiful lake. We offer general campground amenities e.g., mini-golf, playground, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, sand beach with swim area and more. Clean, well-kept grounds and full service campsites for RV’s of all sizes. No packing them in here, we keep it comfortable. If you are seeking a restful, relaxing, and peaceful camping experience the way camping should be, you found us. Come, you will be glad you did!
Quiet, Beautiful and Clean
Reviewed By H9976WJsusannMy husband & I RV full time. This summer we are staying in Iowa visiting several campgrounds. Lakeshore RV Resort & Campground was the perfect choice! We enjoyed kayaking on the lake, riding the bike trail, the fireworks on Saturday night from the Oelwein celebration in the park were spectacular. Perfect viewing from the campground. If you're looking for a quiet, clean, beautiful campground with outstanding hosts then this is the place!
6. Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground
Overall Ratings
5 based on 21 reviews
Wonderful
Reviewed By LoveTravel532726What a refreshingly wonderful RV Park. The camp spots were level, beautiful grounds, and landscaping well tended. We availed ourself of the full kitchen to prep some meals for the road. While things were cooking we sat by the fireplace and watched cable TV on the leather. Couch and recliner. Bathrooms and showers were immaculate. This would be a great meeting place for a family reunion. We enjoyed the respite from wind gusts and snow flurries as we traveled in November. Would highly recommend any stay here.
7. PM Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
PM Park was established in 1913 by the Patriarch Militants as a kids camp, later the mess hall turned into a restaurant and the dormitory turned into the hotel, we added the Tiki Bar in 2007. Nothing fancy, just as it was then, it is now. We are located on the shore of Clear Lake. If you are looking for old-fashioned vacationing in a laid back lake setting you will be happy here. If you need all the luxury, or any for that matter...we are not the choice for you. Call us for lodging options, we have simple rooms and apartments to cabins and cottages.
Great food and friendly service
Reviewed By Zach AAte dinner at PM Park during out last night in Clear Lake. Too bad we didn't eat here earlier in our trip. PM Park has great food, friendly service, and offers a nice change of pace from dining downtown Clear Lake. If you go, make sure to get the pork tenderloin sandwich. Tremendous sandwich!
8. Amana RV Park & Event Center
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 67 reviews
The Amana RV Park & Event Center is a full-service campground located in the heart of the Amana Colonies. Expansive park with room for large rallies, events, and monthly camping options.
Excellent Service
Reviewed By mjI4427SNWe made reservations months ago for June 2nd through the 6th for Beckster Fest. Memorial day weekend my son found out he had to have emergency surgery to remove his right kidney because of a cancerous tumor. We had to cancel our plans. I knew in advance there would be no refund and understood. I called Amana RV Park and.spoke with Mary just to let her know we wouldn't be able to make it and they could give our site to someone else. Mary was very nice and we hung up. A few minutes later Mary called me back and said she would move our reservation further out so we wouldn't lose our money. That was very nice because she didn't have to do that. We will definitely visit Amana IA later.this summer.
9. Waterloo / Lost Island Waterpark KOA
Overall Ratings
4 based on 64 reviews
The Waterloo/Lost Island KOA is camping like you've never experienced! We offer a wide range of accommodations from tent sites to RV sites to deluxe cabins that sleep eight guests! Every RV site has 50 amp service, water, sewer, cable TV, & WiFi. Deluxe cabins have linens provided, full bathrooms, cable TV & more - GLAMPING at its finest. Our 15 acre Aloha Lake offers fishing, swimming, paddleboats, & kayaks as well as an island set up for wonderful picnic lunches. Conveniently located across the street from the amazing Lost Island Waterpark, this KOA is a must-visit for anyone in the area.
Excellent campground!
Reviewed By tashah598Beach area is very clean and the water is blue and clear! Campground is well maintained. Nice walking path around the lake and a great little dark park area with two separate spaces. Overall very nice campgrounds and very close to the water park!! Will be back!
10. Oakwood RV Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Long Review- but please read before you stay here!
Reviewed By kyla_poseyWe checked in to this place at the end of May (or around there). At first, things were great. The owners left us to ourselves. My husband is a travel nurse so we are in a different RV park every 3 months or so. We picked (what we thought) a perfect spot. It was located right in front of the bathrooms & across from the laundry and swing set. Toward the end of our stay (August), My two boys (8&3) had an incident in the boys bathroom with two older gentlemen being naked & asking them if they wanted to go in the shower and take a look at them. My husband works nights. He had just left for work and I thought the boys could just run in and take a shower really quick. That was MY MISTAKE & NEVER AGAIN will I make that mistake again...I do the best I can with small children on the road when my husband works a ton of hours. My issue is that after this incident happened, my 8 year old was mortified. He was scared. I immediately went to the owners but couldn't tell them the older mens campsite, only the direction they had gone. Mike didn't seem too concerned (the owner). After I reported it to the owner, I called the police to report it. The police officer went ABOVE & BEYOND to try to help us. He was so friendly and tried to help us find the guys. Mike walked over in the middle of me talking to the police & told us not to turn this into a "witch hunt". The officer then explained that this wasn't a matter they take lightly & neither should he. Mike didn't care. He was more worried about how other people in the community would feel about a police officer being there than trying to find a pedophile staying on his property. The officer then explained after he walked away that Mike is always like that when they have to come out and he "never cooperates". I no longer felt safe, so me and my children packed up and left that same night. My husband went to get our camper at 7 am the next morning. When he did Mike came over to talk to him and he asked if we found another place to go to (which we did) & his response to where he thought we were going was that stuff like that happens all the time at the other place. No apology for how he handled the situation. I 100% DO NOT recommend this place to ANYBODY. I understand that they sometimes are unsure of who they are letting in their RV parks...i truly do get that, but I don't and will never understand why they didn't help me handle the situation when it happened. We were loyal customers. We tried to support them and only them. (we are all about supporting local when we can, especially during these times) My children were RIGHT THERE. If they screamed, I would have heard them. Those men were pointing at my camper when they walked out of the bathroom...which means they knew exactly where my kids came from & were staying. How long had they been watching us? While the police were at my campsite another guest came over and said that one of the residents made them uncomfortable (they had a young boy with them also) & that they weren't sure if it was the same person but they at least tried to help. (Keep in mind, they had no idea why the police were visiting my site). Lesson learned for us. & thankfully the next RV owners at our new place were completely shocked by the previous places response and reassured us that if anything like that ever happened they would not ever allow it and they would make sure the people left immediately. Never again will we stay next to a common area. (The bathrooms, playground, laundry) & my children will only be using our bathroom in our camper.
