Best Camping near Allerton, IA

Looking for the best campgrounds near Allerton, IA? Allerton is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Discover great camping spots near Allerton, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Allerton, IA (76)

    Camper-submitted photo from Nine Eagles State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nine Eagles State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nine Eagles State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nine Eagles State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nine Eagles State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Nine Eagles State Park Campground

    1.

    Nine Eagles State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    14 Photos
    24 Saves
    Davis City, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $12 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun
    Camper-submitted photo from Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun
    Camper-submitted photo from Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun
    Camper-submitted photo from Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun
    Camper-submitted photo from Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun
    Camper-submitted photo from Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun

    2.

    Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun

    6 Reviews
    23 Photos
    28 Saves
    Moravia, Iowa

    Overview

    Island View Park is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just nine miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa and 8 miles southwest of Moravia.

    Recreation

    The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler: Crappie, channel catfish, walleye and largemouth bass are most common. The prevailing winds on Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.

    Facilities

    The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler: Crappie, channel catfish, walleye and largemouth bass are most common. The prevailing winds on Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.

    Natural Features

    Rathbun Lake is situated in the gently rolling hills of the Chariton River Valley in southeast Iowa. The campground consists of open grassy areas dotted with trees. Bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey and other wildlife can be found at Rathbun Lake.

    contact_info

    This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (641) 647-2464.

    Nearby Attractions

    The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is nearby, offering self-guided tours Monday through Friday year-round. Hundreds of thousands of catfish and walleye are produced here each year. Southern Iowa's only Off Highway Vehicle Park is just 20 minutes from the campground. It is located on the south bank of the South Fork Chariton River and encompasses nearly 125 acres in an abandoned rock quarry.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $50 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek Resort

    4.

    Honey Creek Resort

    6 Reviews
    31 Photos
    4 Saves
    Moravia, Iowa

    This recreation area is part of Rathbun Lake

    • RVs
    • Tents

    $40 - $49 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Honey Creek State Park Campground

    5.

    Honey Creek State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    18 Photos
    25 Saves
    Moravia, Iowa

    This recreation area is part of Rathbun Lake

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Red Haw State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Red Haw State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Red Haw State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Red Haw State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Red Haw State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Red Haw State Park Campground

    6.

    Red Haw State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    11 Photos
    27 Saves
    Chariton, Iowa

    Red Haw State Park in south-central Iowa is a beautiful, year-round destination offering lovely views and diverse recreational activities in the 649-acre park. Red Haw is well known for springtime red buds blooming abundantly around the lake, drawing visitors and photographers to see the pink blossoms. Visitors also can enjoy swimming and boating in the summer, or cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.

    Camp at Red Haw’s shady campground overlooking the lake. The campground contains electric hookups, paved roads, modern restrooms and showers and a trailer dump station. Some campsites are ADA accessible. One-fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis and advance campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Red Haw State Park.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    7.

    Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    17 Photos
    42 Saves
    Indianola, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area

    8.

    Little River Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    15 Photos
    16 Saves
    Leon, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Bridgeview Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bridgeview Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bridgeview Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bridgeview Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bridgeview Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Bridgeview Campground

    9.

    Bridgeview Campground

    2 Reviews
    15 Photos
    11 Saves
    Moravia, Iowa

    Overview

    Bridgeview Park is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just 13 miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking are popular activities at this waterfront recreation area.

    Recreation

    The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler. Crappie, channel catfish, walleye and largemouth bass are most common. Whether power boating or sailing, Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, has something to offer everyone. In particular, the water's prevailing winds make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.

    Facilities

    The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler. Crappie, channel catfish, walleye and largemouth bass are most common. Whether power boating or sailing, Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, has something to offer everyone. In particular, the water's prevailing winds make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.

    Natural Features

    Rathbun Lake is situated in the gently rolling hills of the Chariton River Valley in southeast Iowa. The campground consists of open grassy areas dotted with trees. Bald eagles, white-tailed deer, Canada geese, wild turkey, and other wildlife can be found at Rathbun Lake.

    Nearby Attractions

    Southern Iowa's only Off Highway Vehicle Park is just three miles from the campground. It is located on the south bank of the South Fork Chariton River and encompasses nearly 125 acres of an abandoned rock quarry. The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is located near the main dam, and offers self-guided tours Monday through Friday year-round. Hundreds of thousands of catfish and walleye are produced here each year.

    contact_info

    This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (641) 647-2464.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeside Co Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeside Co Park

    10.

    Lakeside Co Park

    1 Review
    2 Photos
    Derby, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
Showing results 1-10 of 76 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Allerton

Recent Reviews In Allerton

129 Reviews of 76 Allerton Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Lake Paho
    August 28, 2024

    Lake Paho

    Sparsly Used Dark sky Campsite

    Very nice view of the lake, lots of campsites around the lake. Not many lights around and no big cities and a low horizon so it’s a good place to visit for a visual observation night with a telescope or binos. Only one other camper at my campsite when I visited, so it’s a good weekend retreat from the city life. This is a primitive campsite; there are two waterless bathrooms and 8 or so gravel spots at site B on the Eastern side of the lake.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
    May 7, 2024

    Howell Station

    Large spacious campground

    Well maintained campground with mature shade trees. Gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required. Poor Verizon cell signal, no internet signal. Not much natural privacy between sites, but sites were well spaced apart. Paved trail nice for biking and walking. Fishing nearby and the Dutch themed town of Pella is a short drive and a must see. Bathrooms and showers were nice, clean. Handicap camp site and bathhouse available. Firewood for sale at front gate. The potable water available at the dump station was clear and good for drinking. Dump station is easily accessible. Dumpsters were positioned around the campground. Staff was friendly. The night we stayed, there was a severe weather threat, and the staff, at the end of the night, had unlocked the storm shelters (utility area in the middle of the bathhouses) should the need arise. We ended up having to seek shelter because of a tornado warning.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Lakeside Casino RV Park
    October 31, 2023

    Lakeside Casino RV Park

    Decent place to spend the night

    RV park is relatively quiet and easy to get into. The concrete in our site was in poor condition, it had crumbled leaving a dip in the pad. The cable didn’t work, but electric and water had no issues. Easy on and off to the interstate. There is only one garbage dumpster near the entrance and we didn’t see a camp host on site or anybody to check in with. We stayed just one night on our way through the area and were comfortable.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Eveland Access
    October 26, 2023

    Eveland Access

    Glendale Access

    20 bucks a day you submit your fill out sheet at the service area and drop it off in a drop box.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Lakeside Co Park
    October 18, 2023

    Lakeside Co Park

    Nice lake, but run down campsites.

    First, there is no dump station! All sites have water and electricity with 20, 30, and 60 amp plugs. The sites are 20 dollars. The campsites located near the entrance are pull-through but need maintenance. The campsites along the lake will support short to medium length RVs or trailers, and all are back in. As of this posting, all are not level and in poor condition. The city of Huneston, Iowa is a few minutes away and has several gas stations and a grocery store.

  • Camper-submitted photo from East Lake Co Park
    August 26, 2023

    East Lake Co Park

    Newer so campground still being established

    The campground was clean and quiet with water and electricity at each site. The dump station was set aside from the camp sites. The trees at the campground were recently planted so no shade. The best part is that there is plenty of room between camp sites so your not camping on top of your neighbors. Playground and bathrooms on site.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Criss Cove County Park
    July 26, 2023

    Criss Cove County Park

    Hot hot hot

    Cute little campground by the pond. We arrived pretty late. Cute campground, but boy oh boy is it muggy. Between the heat and the pond near by be sure you’re prepared for damp, muggy, and buggy conditions. Otherwise cute little place. There is a bathroom- I didn’t need it but its there!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock
    June 5, 2023

    Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock

    Perfect Weekend Getaway for EVERYONE!

    This park is beautiful with plenty to do and see. We camped out at site 82 which is a non-electric site and close to a Red Rock Lake shoreline. Spots are pretty close but they perfectly have grass tall enough to give you some privacy between spots. I was never bothered by either neighbors. The grass also gives you a path to the water spout. The staff member at the front was such a gentlemen and helped us with our firewood. There are some walking paths down to the lake which you can fish from. The views by the lake are beautiful too. The only thing to keep in mind with this spot is it is as far away from the bathrooms as possible. I, personally, didn't mind, but wanted to make note of it. We will be returning to this park. 

    Restrooms: Cleaner than I expected! And they are not port-a-potty type bathrooms, plumbing with nice stalls, toilets and sinks. 

    Dog-friendliness: My dog LOVED this campground. We kept her on a long-line stake(per parks' guidelines) and she had plenty of room to roam. 

    Picnic area: A picnic table is provided but they are older, so I recommend bringing your own table cloth and some towels or something for the seats.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Prairie Ridge Camping
    April 23, 2023

    Prairie Ridge Camping

    Good overnight

    This appears to be a new campground with full hookups and drive thru’s. Well leveled gravel. Good scenery. No evidence of out buildings, showers etc. Very quiet.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Quail Ridge Campground
    April 19, 2023

    Quail Ridge Campground

    Clean, Conveniently Located, Level Park

    Park has underwent a full makeover. Electrical, plumbing, surfaces all have been updated. Level, full-hookup, pull-through sites. First come first serve basis, always sites available unless if a holiday or abnormally buys traffic.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Prairie Ridge Camping
    January 20, 2023

    Prairie Ridge Camping

    Family Owned Campground

    Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to have this property on our platform. Featuring 12 RV sites and a camper rental, these's plenty of options to choose from. Book your stay and come back here to leave a review.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Run RV Park
    December 27, 2022

    Buffalo Run RV Park

    Cute and quaint

    This campground is close to I35 and makes a great stop on road trips if you're heading south! Affordable and quiet.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area
    October 28, 2022

    Little River Recreation Area

    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.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Ted’s RV Park
    October 4, 2022

    Ted’s RV Park

    Great rural stop!

    Terrific small town RV park in Iowa. Long, level pull thru's and back ins, playground, dog walk, DELICIOUS on site restaurant. Clubhouse with immaculate laundry and individual showers, everything is new and cashless. Outstanding staff, friendly and helpful, shoutout to electrician (and footbal fan) Eric who made o ur day.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
    September 6, 2022

    Howell Station

    All Around Pleasant Campground

    Humble campground. There are lots of electric sites available for RVs and the sites are all very flat. There is ample grass area. The bathrooms and showers are well kept. The grounds have play sets and swings for kids. There are some great paved paths to walk or bike. It's a good place to fish or bird watch.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crowder State Park Campground
    August 25, 2022

    Crowder State Park Campground

    Nice park and campground

    Very nice area. The camping spots are relatively level and are mainly concrete or asphalt. The park hosts are friendly and helpful. The bathrooms and showers are very very clean. Even the vault bathroom next to our site wasn’t that nasty.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board) - TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR IMPROVEMENTS
    August 24, 2022

    Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board) - TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR IMPROVEMENTS

    Incorrect Info on The Dyrt app

    I was searching for free campsites on The Dyrt app and this place showed in the results. Yet, in the description, this place says it charges $20/night. It's really irritating when a place shows up in the results, after I already selected the search criteria filters, then drive all the way to a place and find out the information on the app wasn't accurate. Why am I spending thirty-one thing dollars per month on this app lol?

  • Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
    July 25, 2022

    Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    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

  • Camper-submitted photo from Crowder State Park Campground
    July 25, 2022

    Crowder State Park Campground

    Nice, but some pretty small sites

    This worked great as an overnight stop on our way to MN. We were there midweek during the off-season, so our nice pull-thru site was fine. Some sites were small and open. Bathrooms were closed for the season, but the building looked pretty new.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest
    July 7, 2022

    Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest

    Vibrant Iowa forest in summer

    I tent camped at “Mine Pond Campground” in Stephen’s State Forest in July 2022. I arrived about 8:15pm and had about 45 minutes of daylight to pitch camp. The campground feels deep in a vibrant Iowa forest surrounded by lush greenery. That said, mosquitoes swarmed me instantly. And “Mine Pond” is a small muddy pond without the most remote possibility of swimming. The pond kind of seems too small to fish but maybe. A storm blew in around dark and it rained much of the night. The frogs sang loudly deep into the night (see my video for the audio), which I enjoyed. A pair of barred owls hooted and laughed in the dark trees. I departed early while it was still dark. I don’t think I’ll return to this place.



Guide to Allerton

Camping near Allerton, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campers enjoy fishing and boating at Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun. One visitor mentioned, "Very nice campground with lake to fish and boat on. Has beach access also."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Nine Eagles State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "Absolutely beautiful park and really nice trails."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Lake Wapello State Park Campground have spotted plenty of wildlife. One camper shared, "Quite a bit of wildlife seen during kayaking and hiking—muskrat, beaver, swans, geese could be found on the water."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the sites. At Honey Creek Resort, one visitor noted, "The bathrooms were clean but they were a little bit of a walk from the Group Site."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many enjoy the spaciousness at Hickory Hills Park. A reviewer mentioned, "Looks to be about 10 sites, nicely spread apart. Big, clean fire pits with grills and a picnic table."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often seek peace and quiet. One camper at Stephens State Forest said, "Very nice and quiet location when I went mid September."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Honey Creek Resort, have limited amenities. A visitor expressed frustration, saying, "There is no arcade as advertised."
  • Busy During Weekends: Campgrounds can get crowded on weekends. A camper at Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun noted, "It tends to be very busy."
  • No Reservations at Some Sites: Not all campgrounds allow reservations. A visitor at Hickory Hills Park mentioned, "They have fire pits and picnic tables. They also have two clean pit toilets."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. Nine Eagles State Park Campground has a "nice playground for the kids."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities. One family at Honey Creek Resort enjoyed "corn hole, playing tic tac toe or jenga."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks handy can keep everyone happy. A camper at Lake Wapello State Park Campground mentioned, "The beach is beautiful and the path around it is in great shape!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Conditions: RVers should check the condition of the sites. One visitor at Lakeside Casino RV Park noted, "The concrete in our site was in poor condition."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups. A camper at Honey Creek Resort mentioned, "All sites are paved, level, full hook ups, spacious, with a view of the lake."
  • Be Mindful of Traffic: Some campgrounds have busy roads nearby. A visitor at Honey Creek Resort said, "Traffic flies through the campground to the boat ramp."

Camping around Allerton, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Make sure to check out the local campgrounds for a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular campground near Allerton, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Allerton, IA is Nine Eagles State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.

  • What parks are near Allerton, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Allerton, IA that allow camping, notably Lake Red Rock and Saylorville Lake.