Camper submitted image from Little River Recreation Area - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Little River Recreation Area - 2

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Little River Recreation Area - 3

Roads

Camper submitted image from Little River Recreation Area - 4

Buildings

Camper submitted image from Little River Recreation Area - 5

Nature

Unlock Planning Tools in App

Established Camping

Little River Recreation Area

2 Reviews

Do you own or manage this property?

Claim Your Listing

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Little River Recreation Area near Leon, Iowa, features rolling hills and open spaces. Temperatures range from lows in the 20s Fahrenheit during winter to highs in the 80s in summer. Campers can explore Little River Lake and enjoy activities like fishing and boating, with Nine Eagles State Park also nearby for additional outdoor adventures.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Little River Recreation Area is located in Iowa

Address

190th St
Leon, IA 50144

Coordinates

40.76869776 N
93.77707355 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
Last on 5/14/25
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Whitebreast Camp

1 hr 23 min away

Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

1 hr 26 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

1 hr 1 min from Des Moines
1 hr 26 min from Ames
1 hr 37 min from St. Joseph
1 hr 52 min from Kansas City

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
Last on 5/14/25
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

Market
ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

30 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented by

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Lee D.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 28, 2022

Off the beaten path and very quiet

General: This small county park (16 electric, 14 tent sites plus three cabins) is not reservable which might be an issue on summer weekends but on a Sunday in April, was no problem. Including us, only three sites were occupied. The rates are very reasonable -$15 for electric, and $12 for tent sites.

Site Quality/Facilities: Each site has a generous-sized picnic table and fire ring. Some sites are better than others, however. Sites 2 and 3 (both electric) are sloped down and the driveway is a bit overgrown. No physical separation between sites which when we were there was not an issue but might be when more crowded. Some of the sites have a direct water view but again, some are more sloped than others.

Bathhouse: A short hike uphill from all sites but it was very clean when we were there. The showers also looked clean, but I did not use them so cannot comment on how well they worked.

Activities/Amenities: Fishing! We saw a few boats on the water when we were there and there were two docks, one of them handicapped accessible. Swimming is not allowed but there is a nice day-use area not far down the road with a nice beach and picnic area. There are also horseshoe pits and a small but very nice playground. No hiking trails that I could discern. There was also a small little free library.

When we were there, we appreciated the quiet, out-of-the-way setting. It is close to the town of Leon but we circumvented it on the way in and out so I don’t know what services might be available.

Site1

Month of VisitApril

(15) View All

Eugene B.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2021

Rv/tent sites on a big lake... Fish, fish, fish

Nice little campground 4.5 miles of the freeway...9 minutes away from a small town with stores that stay open till 9. A bait shop onsite, closes early. Most rv sites with power, walk in tent sites w/o. Rates are great $12/15. Showers and flush toilets onsite as well as cabin rentals, canoe rental and fire wood available. Downside is a lot of flying bugs...not really biting just annoying. The lake has a lot of fish in it I hear... Family friendly.

Site23 walk in tent on the lake

Month of VisitSeptember

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Little River Recreation Area for campers?

Little River Recreation Area offers a variety of amenities for campers. The campground features both RV sites with electric hookups (16 sites) and walk-in tent sites without power (14 sites). Facilities include showers and flush toilets for all campers to use. Additional amenities include cabin rentals for those who prefer not to tent camp, and canoe rentals for recreational activities on the water. The campground has reasonable rates of $15 for electric sites and $12 for tent sites. There's also a bait shop on-site, though it closes relatively early in the day.

Is Little River Recreation Area located near Leon, Iowa?

Yes, Little River Recreation Area is located near Leon, Iowa. The campground is situated about 9 minutes away from a small town with stores that stay open until 9 PM, which is likely Leon. It's conveniently positioned approximately 4.5 miles off the freeway, making it easily accessible for travelers. This proximity to town provides campers with convenient access to supplies and services while still enjoying a natural setting at the recreation area.

How do I find photos of Little River Recreation Area before visiting?

To find photos of Little River Recreation Area before your visit, check county park websites and social media pages for official images. The Decatur County Conservation Board may maintain a gallery of the recreation area showing campsites, the lake, and facilities. Online camping platforms like The Dyrt feature user-submitted photos that offer realistic views of the campground. You can also search social media platforms using hashtags related to the recreation area or Little River Lake. For the most current visual information, consider calling the park office directly as they may have recent photos or can direct you to updated resources.

Are there fishing opportunities at Little River Lake in Iowa?

Yes, fishing is available at Little River Lake in Iowa. The recreation area includes an on-site bait shop where you can purchase supplies, though be aware it tends to close early in the day. The lake provides a good opportunity for fishing, and the availability of canoe rentals at the recreation area makes accessing different fishing spots on the water convenient. For the most current information on fishing regulations, licenses, and what species are biting, check with the bait shop staff when you arrive or contact the park office directly.

Keep Exploring