Lake of Three Fires State Park offers primitive camping and full-hookup sites near Bedford, Iowa. Situated among rolling hills with 10 miles of hiking and equestrian trails, the park features an 85-acre no-wake lake. Camping facilities include tent sites, RV spaces, and family cabins with shade from mature trees at most locations.
What to do
Water activities: The 85-acre lake at Lake of Three Fires State Park is perfect for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. "There is a dock where you can fish and it also has a cleaning station also available. There are several fishing jetties where you can take a chair and set up to find the perfect spot," notes Kimberly W. The lake is stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish.
Hiking trails: Explore trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty around local lakes. "In the winter after a good snow, they say snow mobiles can also use the trails," mentions Kimberly W. at Lake of Three Fires. At Viking Lake State Park, "The trails are varied and long. It had changed since the last time we had camped and they had closed off some bisecting trails to shorten your hike," reports Caralee D.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for local fauna while exploring campsites near Bedford. "We had a rare flock of pelicans! Red buds and flowers were starting to bring the forest to life," writes Isaac F. about spring at Lake of Three Fires. Many campers also report frequent deer sightings throughout the camping areas.
What campers like
Peaceful lake environments: Non-motorized lakes create quiet settings at several campgrounds. "The lake is quiet and relatively calm," reports Megan M. about Lake of Three Fires State Park. Similarly, at Windmill Lake Co Park, Kimberly W. notes, "The lake is the main feature here- there is a boat ramp and some pretty good fishing. You see small boats and kayaks out on the lake often."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive positive comments. "Clean, well-kept shower and bath building," says Tara K. about Lake of Three Fires. At Lake Icaria, one camper was impressed that staff were "cleaning the bathrooms constantly" and her mom kept pointing out "it was practically hourly."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer room to spread out. At Lake Icaria Co Park, "The spots are spacious, and there are tons of options." Alex M. appreciates that at Viking Lake State Park, "Camp sites are spread apart giving u room to do things on ur camp site."
What you should know
Availability patterns: Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends. "During the week it is really quiet. I think most of the action here happens on the weekend based on the size of the park and the campgrounds," explains Matt S. about Viking Lake State Park. At Ross County Park, Jayson H. mentions, "In the fall we went and had no neighbors."
Legend
