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Map showing campground location near Indianola, Iowa
Camper submitted image from Lake Ahquabi State Park CampgroundView 17 Photos
FacilitiesMap showing campground location near Indianola, Iowa

Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

13 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Fishing, paddling, and swimming anchor the outdoor calendar at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground, a DNR-managed facility set along a 115-acre lake in Warren County, Iowa. A loop trail circles the entire lake, covering roughly six to seven miles according to multiple reviewers, and the park also rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards at the water's edge. Anglers find consistent access to the lake from the campground, and a designated swimming beach draws families throughout the summer months. Dogs are welcome throughout the campground and on the trails, though not on the beach.

Site quality varies depending on where you land. Some spots near the lake offer shade and close water access, and Brent R. notes one site gave "great visibility of stars with very low light pollution." Sites in the northern section of the campground run tighter, with less grass between neighbors. The campground fills on summer weekends, and campers who have visited during busy periods describe feeling close to adjacent sites. Arriving midweek or reserving in advance helps. Pull-through sites are available for RVs up to 30 feet, with electric, water, and sewer hookups.

Bathroom facilities draw generally positive remarks, though not uniformly. As CM put it, "bathrooms and showers were nice and clean," and Greg H. echoed that the showers were consistently maintained. One reviewer noted a closer restroom was dimly lit and less tidy than the facility a short walk farther. The beach and main park amenities sit at some distance from the camping loops, so plan on a short drive or walk.

The park runs from April 1 through December 31, with nightly rates ranging from $25 to $38. Indianola sits a few miles north for resupply, and campers exploring places to camp near Indianola will find a handful of other options in the region. Access into the campground has drawn a few rough-road comments, so lower-clearance vehicles should approach with some care. For a different setup, Crow's Nest RV Resort to the north provides an alternative for those wanting a more developed RV experience.

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Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations March 1 - November 30 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.

The campground is closed each year from December 1 - February 28.

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Map & DirectionsLake Ahquabi State Park Campground is located in Iowa near Indianola

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From Indianola: Take U.S. Highway 65/69 approximately five miles south of Indianola to the juncture of Highways 65 and 69. Then turn right and travel west on Warren County Highway G58. Travel approximately one mile to the main park entrance. For the campground and North Shelter entrance, turn right at the park's main entrance and travel north approximately one half mile on 118th Avenue, to the north park entrance. Turn left and travel west toward the campground.

Address

16510 118th Ave
Indianola, IA 50125

Coordinates

41.29600062 N
93.58300082 W

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Connectivity

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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 7/11/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 7/11/26

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 7/11/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 7/11/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • 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

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Reviews13 Camper Reviews - Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

31%
46%
23%
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4.0

out of 5

13 Reviews

Campers frequently mentioned the park's recreational activities, affordable rates, and clean facilities as highlights. However, numerous guests pointed out cramped site spacing and traffic noise as drawbacks.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 25, 2022

Overnight stop

This was our very first night with our rental RV, so we were pretty clueless. :) We enjoyed the ease of our pull-thru site, although ours and most of the others were fairly open. The park itself has a nice lake, and the bathroom/showers were decent. A good overnight on the way to the Ozarks from MN

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by Deb M., July 25, 2022
  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by Deb M., July 25, 2022
Reviewed Feb. 21, 2022

Closed in 2022

The web link from Dyrt is out of date, and thus park is closed for 2022

Site0
Month of VisitMarch
Reviewed Sep. 25, 2020

Great lake, nice beach.

Spots to the north of the site are pretty tight and have very little grass. The lake is beautiful and the path around it is in great shape! Bathrooms and showers were nice and clean.

Reviewed Sep. 25, 2020

Great lake, nice beach.

Spots to the north of the site are pretty tight and have very little grass. The lake is beautiful and the path around it is in great shape!

Reviewed Mar. 4, 2020

Childhood Home

I grew up miles away. This is where we spent time on the beach, fishing, rentals and camping! It's definitely changed in 20 years. Last summer visit (10 yrs ago) it was ran over with loud radios and flashing lights. I haven't been back since for camping. But will never forget the good times had there!

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

Family Favorite

I have been going to this campground for 40 some years. Great place to fish and have family time!

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2018

Nice Place

I have tent camped at Lake Ahquabi Campground several times. There are some great spots down by the lake that are perfect for tent camping. There is quite a bit to do in this State Park. There are a few trails, there is plenty of fishing, a swimming beach, and they have water sport rentals! The area is very pretty and peaceful. I would recommend for campers with kids and without. There are showers and plenty of bathrooms.

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2018

Great Stargazing, Campsites Cramped

Stayed there a few different weekends during the summer. It is easily accessible from Indianola and the best parts of the park are the well-kept trails and stargazing! Unfortunately, we felt like we were literally on top of surrounding campers. The campsites are all extremely packed in together, so you can really feel a part of other people's conversations and activities. However, if you're able to catch Lake Ahquabi on a good weekend when it isn't crowded, then it is amazing!

Lots of great fishing and canoe/paddle board rentals available too! We take our canoe there often and there is an awesome access point from the campgrounds with tons of shade, so if you have a one-seater (like us) the partner can wait in the shade.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by Larissa C., August 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by Larissa C., August 3, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2018

I love this place!

This is one of my favorite places to go! They have a beautiful lake and a beach. The water has minimal seaweed and great temperature! They have rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price! The hiking trails are really nice. If your up for it there is a hike that loops are the entire lake making it about 6-7 miles long. It's a pretty easy hike, but definitely long. Dogs are welcome on a leash (but not on the beach). The campsites are no as secluded as I would like but the overall state park is awesome!

  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by jennifer M., July 16, 2018
  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by jennifer M., July 16, 2018
  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by jennifer M., July 16, 2018
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jun. 6, 2018

Ahquabi

We have stayed here a couple of times now and has always been a treat. Sites are spacious and at $16.00 per night a real bargain. Showers were always clean and it’s a short drive or hike to the beach. Des Moines is a half hour away for a hot spot for entertainment. Fo example, you might want to take in a granddaughter’s dance recital! What a treat! Often filled with folks from nearby by that know all the tricks and even had a guy deliver a load of local firewood that made campfires for the week a breeze!

  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by Greg H., June 6, 2018
Reviewed May. 24, 2018

Nice

There wasn't anyone at the check station so anyone could come in. The beach, and park were very far away from the camping area. A suggestion of a bagger for their lawn mower for all the cut grass. The lake by the boat landing was nice and so were the trails. The bathrooms were clean

Site87
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2017

Fun campground

Great campground with lots of things to do. There is fishing, boating, hiking, mountain biking, and many more things.

Site74
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Sep. 1, 2016

Lake Ahquabi During Balloon Classic

We entered the park looking for a walk-up spot and landed on Site 67 which was not reserved. The site was spacious with a big tree with good shade and cover if needed. Also, it had a great fire pit with grill grate that could be moved. It was the perfect overnight location and cheap accommodations during the National Balloon Classic. We spent the night before at the Balloon Glow, came back and had a nice camp fire, then an early morning rise for a balloon flight made for close proximity. There were nearby bathroom facilities that were available. The truth is that the one closest was not lit well and a little messier, perhaps less maintained. The other facility was well lit and not too far a walk. During day light you could see the lake in the distance from this site, and the clearing around the site gave great visibility of stars with very low light pollution. The only downside was this site was near the main entry and exit road on the lower loop, which meant traffic in and out could prove to be a downside. Not for us on our stay at night because of late arrival and early departure, but it is good to know. All in all it was a good stay, the only challenging part was knowing which sites were available and the camp hosts weren't too helpful in knowing or seeking which were still open. But we were lucky to find one!

  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by Brent R., September 1, 2016
  • Review photo of Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground by Brent R., September 1, 2016
Showing results 1-13 of 13 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground?

Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground offers spacious campsites with fire pits that include adjustable grill grates. The campground features clean bathrooms and shower facilities. Some sites are pull-through, making them convenient for RVs. The campground provides a mix of sites, including some with shade trees, though sites in the northern section tend to have less grass. At approximately $16 per night, camping here is quite affordable. Water access is available, though the beach and main park areas are a short drive or hike from the camping area.

What recreational activities are available at Lake Ahquabi?

Lake Ahquabi offers a wealth of recreational activities centered around its beautiful lake. Water enthusiasts can enjoy swimming at the beach, fishing, and boating. The park offers rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes at reasonable prices. For land-based recreation, there are well-maintained hiking trails, including one that loops around the lake, plus mountain biking opportunities. The park is also known as a good spot for stargazing. With its varied terrain and facilities, Lake Ahquabi provides diverse outdoor experiences for visitors of all ages, making it a popular destination for family outings.

How can I find a campground map of Lake Ahquabi State Park?

To find a campground map of Lake Ahquabi State Park, check the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) official website, which typically provides downloadable maps of state park facilities. You can also contact the park office directly to request a map. Upon arrival, maps are often available at the check-in station or visitor center. For planning purposes, it helps to know that the campground has different sections, including lakeside sites popular for tent camping and pull-through sites for RVs. Contact the park directly for the most current and detailed mapping information.

Is Lake Ahquabi State Park good for camping based on visitor reviews?

Lake Ahquabi State Park is generally considered a good camping destination, particularly for budget-conscious campers and those who enjoy water recreation. The spacious sites and clean facilities are frequent highlights. For tent campers, there are desirable spots near the lake. The park's natural beauty and the lake itself are standout features. However, some campers note that certain areas have tightly packed sites with little privacy between neighbors. The campground's proximity to Indianola and being only 30 minutes from Des Moines adds to its appeal for those wanting access to nearby amenities.

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