Marble Beach State Recreation Area, near Spirit Lake, Iowa, is a spacious campground that offers a mix of comfort and outdoor fun. With sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, it’s a solid spot for gathering around the campfire and enjoying the natural surroundings.

The campground features modern restroom facilities and showers, which many visitors appreciate after a day spent outdoors. Campers have noted that the sites are generally well-maintained, and the area is big rig friendly, making it easy for larger RVs to navigate. One camper mentioned, “Great price for a full hookup site,” highlighting the value you get here.

For those who enjoy biking, there are scenic trails nearby that lead around Spirit Lake, providing a nice way to explore the area. While the lake isn’t directly accessible from all sites, the sound of the water lapping at the shore adds to the peaceful atmosphere. Some campers have enjoyed fishing and boating opportunities in the vicinity, making it a great choice for those looking to get out on the water.

While the campground can feel a bit crowded at times, especially during peak season, the friendly vibe and well-kept facilities make it a popular destination for families and groups. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a longer stay, Marble Beach State Recreation Area has plenty to offer for a memorable camping experience.

Marble Beach State Rec Area

Spirit Lake is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Spirit Lake campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Spirit Lake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Spirit Lake

The Best Camping Near Spirit Lake, Iowa

This campground is right on spirit lake and a really wonderful peaceful place to spend a night. There is not really any hiking but we stayed here on a drive through Minnesota and found it to be perfect. It was not crowded and the sites were fairly private. There are several central water and bathroom areas and you can walk down to the lake from the sites. We ended up watching both sunset and sunrise from the lake. Each site has its own picnic bench and firepit and you drive your car right up to the site. 

Quite peaceful camp on the Lak

By uneven I’m talking rough grassy spots with pot holes. Each site is right on top of the next. You can hear your neighbors snore if the windows open.

On the lake but not accessible to the lake.

The beaches there are gravel.

The bathhouse was nasty dirty.

Not a fan.

Has a lot of possibilities though.

Uneven camping spots. 

**Campground Renovation:** The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019\.

Marble Beach`s campground is the largest in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. The campground is well shaded and features paved roads, boat ramps, modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as a sanitary dump station. The campground includes non-electric sites and sites with electrical hookups.

Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and provides some of the best fishing in the state. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish including walleye, northern pike, muskellunges, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads.

Great place to stay around the Okoboji area

Site 59 has a downward sloping driveway and the camping area is sloped and tilted but neither we’re too challenging so we set up easily. The sites are close together but because of the slope 59 feels more private. You can see the lake through the trees, speaking of which the site has very nice shade.
The bathrooms are great! There are 6 suites-toilet and shower. I didn’t find a recycling drop off so we took that to the next campgrounds.
The bikes trails are great! We rode around the lake. There are plenty of places to visit in the area. We enjoyed the beer at West O and had a superb lunch at Monarch Art Cafe.

Deluxe bathrooms!

Excellent Campground!, Easy driving distance to Arnold's Park. Campground is Clean, Showers/Bathrooms are new and modern. Full Hookups are easy to use. many spots in the Oak Woods. Good place for Bicycling, 4 miles mostly bike path to town. Around Spirit Lake is a nice 16 miles bike ride. I rated 4 stars, because there is a little traffic noise, and the lake is a little weedy.

Close enough to Okoboji 

Camp sites for tents are super tiny and irregular shaped. Lots of sloping on sites. Generally tight quarters to other campers and plenty of road noise until about 10 PM. A few good options for fishing, boating and hiking near by. 


Good, but not great  

Easy to access- large site campground. Nice sites that back up to spirit lake with enough room for bigger rigs to get into easily and have tree coverage to feel wooded. 
Easy to check in and out of. 
Great price for a full hook up site. 
Plan to return again and again! We loved it. 

Great campground! Limited people for fall camping 

Camped in Site #59 on Oct. 6-7, 2023. Our site had a fire ring, table, as well as electric &amp; water. Spirit Lake is behind the site, although there was no lake access from there. Nice hearing the water lapping on shore. Registering for a site was a little confusing. There was a friendly host in the campground. Our site sloped down toward the lake; had to use our traction boards to level the van as best we can. No privacy between sites. The 6 room restroom/shower was clean. Overall, the campground was large and well maintained. It had an RV park feel to it, which is not our preferred type of camping. I believe folks in larger rigs will be comfortable here.

Photos of Marble Beach State Rec Area

Real photos from real campers