Anglers and paddlers will find Beed's Lake State Park Campground positioned along the shores of a 99-acre lake in north-central Iowa. The campground operates from May through December, offering both RV sites with full hookups and tent camping areas. Many sites feature parallel parking arrangements, placing campers in close proximity to neighbors across shared outdoor spaces.
The lake serves as the main draw, with fishing opportunities both from the shoreline and below the man-made waterfall at the dam. Paddle boat rentals provide access to deeper waters, while a designated swimming beach offers lake access during warmer months. Several hiking and biking trails wind through the park, connecting camping areas to recreational features. Emily recommends the campground as "a great fishing destination" and notes the dam's walking path as particularly noteworthy.
Site configurations vary significantly across the campground. Waterfront tent sites like #142 provide direct lake access and distance from neighboring campers, while many RV sites cluster together in the central camping loops. The facility maintains clean restrooms and shower houses, with camp hosts available to assist visitors. For additional camping in the region, WKW Conservation Park sits 2.9 miles east.
Description
Beed's Lake State Park is a centerpiece of Franklin County. The park's beautiful limestone Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) dam is the most photographed dam in the Midwest. Access to the dam is on the east side of the lake. The causeway was originally built to store water for the raceway to the mill, which was located downstream from the current dam.
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 3 Alerts are In Effect
There are 3 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.
05/01/2026: All park water facilities are now open. Both East and West shower houses are open for use.
The campground is closed each year from November 1 - March 31.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBeed's Lake State Park Campground is located in Iowa near Hampton
Directions
2 miles west of Hampton on Hwy 3 and 1 mile north on S42 Or 7 miles east of Interstate 35 on Hwy 3 and 1 mile north on S42.
Address
1422 165th St
Hampton, IA 50441
Coordinates
42.76719487 N
93.23659828 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/13/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 5/13/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr from Ames, IA
- 1 hr 2 min from Waterloo, IA
- 1 hr 22 min from Des Moines, IA
- 1 hr 50 min from Rochester, MN

















