Camping near Allerton, Iowa offers options within the Des Moines River watershed, an area characterized by rolling hills and agricultural landscapes at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with hot, humid summers and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the optimal camping season. Several campgrounds within a 50-mile radius of Allerton provide varying levels of amenities for both tent campers and those seeking upscale glamping experiences.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Eveland Access, visitors can fish directly on the river with easy boat launch facilities. "Great area right on the river, excellent for fishing or boating," notes Dorothy H., who frequently visits the area.
Water recreation: Island View Campground offers multiple boating options on Rathbun Lake. "The park has a nice play set for kids and there are baseball fields nearby. This is a great place to go if you like to boat. There are three different boat ramps in the park," according to Matt S.
Hiking trails: The terrain around Hickory Hills Park features native burial mounds accessible via forested trails. "The hiking trails are pretty easy going through the forest and then opening up next to old Native American burial mounds," says Matt S., highlighting the historical significance of the area.
Stargazing opportunities: The relative distance from major cities provides excellent night sky viewing conditions. "The clearing around the site gave great visibility of stars with very low light pollution," mentions Brent R. about his camping experience in the region.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground receives positive feedback for its site layout. "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," according to Greg H.
Seasonal beauty: Late summer and fall camping offer spectacular views at many locations. "Large, clean campsites with ample shade. Spectacular lake views especially for sunset. Very quiet during the week," reports Heather M. about her late summer stay at Island View Campground.
Privacy options: Hickory Hills Park offers more seclusion than larger state parks. "We stayed two nights at this campground. Arrived late and just filled out the registration form. Quiet and had the place to ourselves. Maintained and they had patrol checking through at night," Aliyah B. shares about her experience.
Water activities: Multiple waterfront options exist for paddlers and swimmers. "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!" writes Jennifer M. about her Lake Ahquabi experience.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Most county parks operate on a first-come, first-served basis while state parks often have reservation systems. At Hickory Hills Park, campers report: "We arrived late and just filled out the registration form. You can stay 14 days free I think," according to Aliyah B.
Site levelness challenges: Some campgrounds require equipment for leveling. At Marion County Park, Adam notes: "The sites are somewhat unlevel so you'll likely need to block up tires. For our current site (site 58 with a 2.8 degree incline), we had to angle in a bit otherwise our auto leveling would throw an error."
Seasonal operation: Most glamping near Allerton operates seasonally. Eveland Access has updated facilities but limited seasonal availability. "Great camp grounds! New showers and toilets. Easy access. Not far from Oskaloosa," reports Tim about the renovated amenities.
Payment methods: Self-registration is common at smaller parks. "20 bucks a day you submit your fill out sheet at the service area and drop it off in a drop box," explains Marie M. about the payment process at Eveland Access.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Lake Ahquabi State Park offers child-friendly water recreation. "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!" Jennifer M. recommends for families.
Playground facilities: Lakeside Casino RV Park provides convenient facilities for children. "All the spaces are pulled through. It is very clean. There is full hook up for water, electric and sewer. All spaces are paved. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the park," reports Vita M.
Historic attractions: Several campgrounds feature educational opportunities. At Marion County Park, Adam explains: "There's a couple of parks onsite for kids- one with a zip line swing- plus a pond for fishing, areas to hike and bike. There's also a historic village onsite that's open for tours on weekends during the summer."
Site selection for noise: Choose sites away from entrance roads if visiting with children. "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," advises Brent R. based on his camping experience.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Marion County Park offers full service sites with recent upgrades. "They have done a great job in recent years updating sites a few at a time, adding pavement and full sewer hookups," notes Rodney S., who regularly stays at the park.
Overnight convenience: For those traveling through the area, quick access options exist. "If you are looking for a nice clean RV park on the road this is your place. Very convenient off the freeway. Good hookups and level pad," shares Tom D. about his experience at Lakeside Casino RV Park.
Accessibility considerations: Several campgrounds accommodate mobility devices. "My wife and I feel safe in this park. I am in a wheelchair and this park allows me to move around freely," reports Vita M. about Lakeside Casino RV Park's accessibility.
Site spacing: Island View Campground offers well-separated sites for larger rigs. "Very nice corp park. Campsites were spaced well apart with plenty of room on pad around campsites, cell service was four bars and air tv 30 channels," notes Steve W. about the practical amenities.
