Pikes Peak State Park is one of the most photographed places in Iowa. Pikes Peak is rich in natural, cultural and historical resources, and famed for its majestic views of the Mississippi River. Stand atop the 500 foot bluff (1,130 foot elevation) for a breathtaking view and see the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. The park is named after Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, sent by the government in 1805 to select a site for a military fort. Pike chose this site but the government built the fort across the river. Pikes Peak officially became a state park in 1936.

The Park Store is a concession operated by the Friends of Pikes Peak State Park where you can purchase souvenirs, snacks, refreshments, and ice. All proceeds from the non-profit organization benefit Pikes Peak State Park. The Park Store is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed Mondays & Tuesdays), Memorial Day Weekend through the third Sunday in Oct.

Pikes Peak State Park Campground

Some of the spots are a little uneven. Bring some leveling devices. This a very peaceful campground. Fire rings are on cement. Can find fire starters everywhere. No bugs in the 1st of June when we were there. Will plan on going back for sure. Reserve your spots cuz they go fast. If you love a great view and the smell of the outdoors this is your place!

Beautiful Views

During my visit the campground was fairly quiet, and the sites are decently private with lots of shade. The bath/shower house was in fair shape and clean, plus showers were free! You can reserve the sites ahead of time for a convenience fee of 4 bucks, but they also have a kiosk to pay cash first-come first served if you can stand the suspense! Tent sites were $11/night when I visited in August.

The nice thing about this campground is its proximity to a couple trail-heads that lead to some of the park's nice hiking trails.

I would definitely recommend this campground, and would absolutely stay here again given the chance!

Great campground!

This campground had 60+ campsites. The sites were very open and did not appear to be planned very well for camping functionality. The tent sites appeared to be very flat. Many other sites were very uneven and were challenging to get a camper into. The electric boxes in sites were also placed in strange areas (middle of campsite, 10+feet from camper parking pad, etc). The campground was also very open.

We did enjoy the peacefulness of this campground though. Lots of star viewing opportunities. Very limited road noise. Nice hiking trails. The overlook was also a great place to relax.

We definitely would return to this campground for the hiking opportunities; but we would chose to bring our tent instead of our camping trailer.

Uneven and Open Camping

Great park wish we had more time to hike the trails. We could see what bridal veil falls could look like but it was pretty dry. Great views of the mighty Mississippi. Bathroom was clean hosts were friendly and able to answer my questions. Dropping it to 4 stars as we were on site 52 and there is a driveway right behind those sights and it was getting lots of use. 

Great park. Friendly people

Great place. Not as secluded as I would like from a state campground. Can't complain about the price.

Nice views

Campgrounds are clean and easy to navigate with our 31’ TT. Camp host was very helpful. Shower/bathroom was super clean and smelled clean. Firewood available in 5 gallon buckets. Hiking trails and lookout points are beautiful. Cross the Mississippi to Wisconsin and there is just as much over there to discover.  Very affordable and totally worth it!!

Best view in the driftless region

Spots are gravel and are within walking distance of Mississippi River views and park trails. Overall great experience! 

Great location and great views

Spent four days here as our base of ops. Was great. Lot of nice short trails in the park and a perfect place to take day drives up and down the Mississippi, as well as river tubing (we did the Yellow river, stay further upstream if you do it yourself and the Mississippi is high). Restrooms were pretty clean.  All in all, great, 10/10 would go back. 

Great base camp

There are about 30 electric site big enough for RVs, and about 35 non electric site. All are very nice sites with fairly level gravel pads. There are lots of trees for shade making the sites really beautiful if not spacious. We had a tight fit with our travel trailer on site 33e, but once we squeezed in it was excellent. Two bathrooms one with showers, and well kept. The best thing about this park are the wonderful hiking trails. Some are ADA accessible near the camp store, but most are a good climb with lots of ups and downs. Town of McGregor has a few cute restaurants and bars, but enjoy the park and the amazing views of the Mississippi and the Wisconsin rivers. Several big rig RVs were there, but call ahead if you’ve got a big RV to make sure you’ll fit.

There are some fantastic cycling routes near the river, with stops in all the little towns along the way. A wonderful place to spend a weekend, with apple orchards nearby.

Gorgeous park, small campground 

We are staying here specifically to visit the monument. It is crowded with older people like us,in the electric sites, and their older dogs. Level sites. Showers. Concession stand at the picnic area. There are stunning views of the Mississippi River Valley too. Many trails will lead you by ancient Native burial mounds, including an Effigy of a bear (probably a bear.) Heard an owl close by last night. We're not fans of side by side camping sites, but we are at Effigy Mounds or hiking this park most of the time.

Close to Effigy Mounds National Monument

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL overlooks above the great Mississippi River! 

Very nice trails! Some trails are long with a lot of up and down through valley and ravines, so be prepared for the hike. You can hike the trails all the way to the town of McGregor,  just give yourself plenty of time to hike back uphill 480 feet. 

The campground has a large new area for RV’s and trailers. The space between sites is large but no trees because it’s brand new. 

New very nice bathroom and shower building. Also a vault toilet in new campground area. 

Nice large fire rings with grills. Sites are well maintained. 

Very Easy to use dump station.

Beautiful & well maintained 

Beautiful scenery. Easy parking. Dump station. 

Beautiful Park

This campground is a short hike away from beautiful trails that overlook the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. The boardwalk trails also lead to a small falls and more. Site 51, where we stayed, is near trailhead but on a slight slope. Showers, water, dump station available here, no playground

Dramatic scenery, quiet campground

Loved this campground but it does have some drawbacks.  Set up a lot for rv camping with site layout and connections.  Some sites have the fire ring very close to the parking area and some spots have limited shade (compared to the majority of the campground that is in the trees).  The bathrooms and showers are in good condition.  The Mississippi River overlooks are a short walk away.  There were lots of birds and spiders around the campground.  There are a good number of hiking trails in the park.  

Quaint Campground with River Views

FYI When we made reservations this site required a two- night minimum stay. Don't know if that is for all seasons. Nice pull-through, large enough for our 36' 5th Wheel and pickup tow vehicle, needed more leveling than some. Some sites have power and water, ours only power. There's a water pipe and dump station on the way out. Nice hiking trails, including to a beautiful river overlook.

Beautiful Campground & Views

non-electric sites, modern shower and restroom facilities, as well as a trailer dump station. October is one of their busiest times of the year due to the fall colors, which peak around Oct 9-15th. Most notable hike: a half-mile wooden boardwalk to one of the park's glens to the picturesque Bridal Veil Falls. On your way to the falls, just north of the main overlook, you will notice Bear Mound, an effigy built by ancient American Indians who inhabited the area from 800-1200 A.D. There are 63 mounds in the park, most of them conical or linear in shape.

Indian burial mounds

Unlike Minnesota and Wisconsin, Iowa’s state parks do not require a permit-bonus for RVers. Many sites have full hook-up, most if not all have electric. I paid $25 a night. Full week is $150!! 
