Beeds Lake State Park, near Hampton, Iowa, is a charming spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors by a picturesque lake. With a mix of tent and RV sites, it’s a solid choice for families and friends wanting to gather and soak up some nature.

The campground is known for its clean facilities, including well-maintained bathrooms and showers, which visitors appreciate after a day of activities. Many campers have enjoyed the scenic trails for hiking and biking, and the lake is perfect for kayaking and fishing. One happy camper noted, “Beeds Lake campground offers an opportunity to camp by a picturesque lake with a beautiful waterfall.”

While some sites are a bit close together, especially for RVs, there are plenty of tent sites that offer a bit more privacy. The area is also great for fishing, with some spots right next to the water. As one reviewer mentioned, “Great state park for a quiet weekend trip,” making it ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

If you’re up for a little adventure, don’t miss the man-made waterfall and the chance to rent a paddle boat. Plus, the nearby town of Hampton has its own charm, giving you a chance to explore local attractions. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, Beeds Lake State Park has a lot to offer for a memorable camping experience.

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.

Beed's Lake State Park Campground

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Hampton. Hampton is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Hampton, IA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Hampton

The Best Camping Near Hampton, Iowa

Good variety of activites to do, with lots of camping sites- including some right next to the lake. We went tent camping and had a great time. Would recommend as a great fishing destination. Also very cool to see the Dam, with a great walking path.

Great Variety!

Peaceful Beeds Lake

First time at Beeds Lake. Easy access to most sites as many are parallel parking style. Lots of shade on the outer sites, plenty of tent sites as well. 
Camp hosts were available and helpful. This will be in our list of places to return to.

Nice small park

This campground has a lot of mixed reviews on social media. We were a bit worried but I’m so glad we went. 

The parallel parking was so much easier than we thought it would be. Not a huge fan of sharing the same outdoor space but it was manageable. It would be perfect for large family/friend gatherings as some where doing. 

The campground was super clean and the bathrooms the cleanest I’ve seen at a state park. 



Labor Day weekend 

Great state park for a quiet weekend trip. Tons of great tent sites, but it seemed like the RV spots were pretty close together. We stayed at #142 and it was the perfect tent location. Right on the water, distanced from our site neighbors, and a sandbar nearby for some fishing. The swimming beach was gross, but the hiking trail was great for an easy walk with kids. 

Tent sites

Very well maintained campground in a small but lovely park. Host was very nice and there were lots of open spots on a Saturday in late September. Loved our tent site with a short walk to the lake and clean bathrooms

Lovely campground and park

Beeds Lake campground offers an opportunity to camp by a picturesque lake with a beautiful waterfall.

There are many campsites to choose from. My only negative point for Beeds Lake is that the campground is very "campgroundy". Many of the RV sites are very close together, which is the norm in Iowa. However, there are a few on the outskirts that have a little more privacy.

Things to do:
+ Nice trails to hike or bike
+ Beautiful small lake, great for kayaking and fishing
+ Paddle boat rental available
+ Man-made waterfall
+ Fishing (lake and beneath the waterfall)
+ Enjoy the nearby town of Hampton

Camping by a beautiful lake

Over half of the campsites are parallel parking. That means if you don’t know the person camping across from you, you’ll be staring at a stranger just a few feet away during your stay. Nice lake with a picturesque dam. 

Photos of Beed's Lake State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers