Best Campgrounds near Anita, IA

Based on other reviews we weren’t expecting much, but this spot is perfect for getting a good night’s rest when passing through Iowa.

Camping is basically a parking space in a tiny town park in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. Each space is marked by an electric hookup. Although it says RV and tent, tent camping isn’t exactly defined (just pull up and pitch a tent in the grass). Just rolled up in our “hard-shelled tent mobile” and don’t use hookups, so can’t comment there.

The park is quiet, though the interstate noise is still fairly loud. But it’s far better than pulling into a rest area where the highway and truck generators are constant.

Our only non-quiet moment was when we pulled in on a Saturday night after dark and a group of local kids were hanging out around the bathrooms. We heard some good old fashioned hide and seek (which made us smile) among other screeches and hollers. They stayed out till 11-11:30pm, which was a bit late, but what can you expect from kids in a tiny town with not a whole lot else to do.

There are signs for camping at just about every small town exit, so there are a number of options between Des Moines and Council Bluffs. We chose this town because access is quick and easy. Keeping it in our list of quieter non-rest area places to sleep!

It’s a lively, large campground. Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43’ motorhome and tow fit without unhooking. We just stayed over night since we’re heading home. They take you to your site. The site we were on is sorta blacktop but the sides have crumbled and it has a slight tilt to it so stepping down out of the camper was tricky as your feet tend to slide in the loose rocks. Just be careful. Also we didn’t realize there must be a shooting range close by as all afternoon all we heard were gun shots. Not relaxing for us or our fur babies.

I stayed here one night while I was traveling. It was a Saturday so the campground was kind of busy. People shouting and loud music. Lots of trucks with noisy exhausts coming and going all day. I'm sure it's more quiet during the week.

Some of the sites are well shaded, and you can access the water. It looked like people had been finding clams (they left the shells all over the picnic table). People were fishing here.

The power pedestals are far back from the parking pad for some reason. If you back all the way into your spot or if you have a long cord you should be fine. There was only a 50A outlet so I needed to use an adapter for my 30A camper.

There is one water spigot, and no dump station.

There are bathrooms, but no showers.

I had great T-mobile signal here (5G, 160 down and 20 up). And a somewhat decent 4G Verizon signal (70 down, 12 up).

The Guthrie County Historical Village& Museum is a 5 minute walk away. It's not open evenings or weekends but there is interesting stuff to walk around and see even when closed. The railroad cars are very cool.