Lake Darling State Park Campground sits 111 miles southeast of Des Moines at an elevation of 700 feet. The area features primarily oak-hickory forests surrounding a 302-acre artificial lake built in 1950. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, with summer highs reaching 90°F and frequent humidity.
What to do
Swimming at designated beaches: Indian Lake Park offers a sandy swimming beach that's popular during summer months. One visitor noted, "This park has a lake with a nice sandy beach. Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends."
Hiking seasonal trails: Lake Iowa County Park features multiple walking paths including lakeside routes. A camper shared, "Nice little visitor area. Lots of trails to walk with the dog including a nice trail along the lake."
Visit local attractions: Waubonsie Trail Park connects to interesting nearby sites. According to a review, "Waubonsie trail behind park is a short hike to the covered bridge and Dutchman's Store. Perfect way to stretch your legs after a long day on the road."
Fishing opportunities: Eveland Access provides river fishing spots for various species. A camper mentioned, "Great area right on the river, excellent for fishing or boating."
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Lake Darling State Park Campground receives praise for its upkeep. A visitor remarked, "The Lake has been recently drained and refilled. The new trails around the lake are so wonderful. Electric and tent sites. Brand new five season cabins."
Affordable pricing: Glamping close to Brighton, Iowa won't break the bank. At Keokuk County Belva Deer Park, a camper reported, "$12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance."
Natural wildlife viewing: Seasonal animal sightings enhance the glamping experience near Brighton. One camper at Lake Iowa County Park shared, "The area around the lake and nearby pond is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife. We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through."
Quiet atmosphere: Many visitors appreciate the peaceful environment at campgrounds around Brighton. A guest stated, "Not our typical campsite but we had the kids down for the weekend and we thought a campsite with a pool and mini golf would be a fun break from the norm."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer humidity affects comfort levels. A Lake Iowa County Park visitor warned, "Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed."
Site selection matters: For luxury glamping near Brighton, Iowa, choose wisely. Another camper advised, "Very few sites have a view of the lake. To walk to the lake or nearby pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for anyone with mobility issues. I would say if you can try and get sites, 67-70. They have beautiful views."
Reservation timing: Indian Lake Park fills quickly during peak seasons. A regular visitor noted, "This park has something for everyone. They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent. All very reasonably priced."
Water access varies: Many parks have water features but access points differ. A camper observed, "We pulled in very late on a Weds night / Thursday morning. Self registration at the front. Looked like a decent amount of folks here but we didn't drive very far into the park."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds near Brighton provide child-friendly recreation areas. A visitor to Cedar River Campground shared, "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids."
Swimming safety: Cedar River Campground offers supervised water activities during summer. A guest mentioned, "Recently under new ownership, you can tell they've been working hard getting the place going again. They had a great fireworks display for the fourth."
Educational opportunities: Nature programs run seasonally at various parks. One family reported, "We had a cross country meet here. Came back to camp. Loved exploring the area."
Off-season visits: Consider shoulder season trips for quieter experiences. A camper noted, "Not too far off the highway. Very clean and quiet. The campground is above the lake but a short trail will take you to the lake."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Little Bear Campground provides prepared surfaces for larger vehicles. A visitor remarked, "Very conveniently located off I-80, fair price, full hook up and pull through site $33.00."
Hookup details: Full-service sites typically offer 30-50 amp options. One RVer shared, "We took a spin around the joint, which I would describe as 'intimate' with all of the very level grassy spots being fairly close to one another, interspersed with plenty of cover shadow from all of the trees."
Dump station access: Not all parks offer on-site dumping facilities. A camper mentioned, "It has full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes, playgrounds also cabins a stone lodge for family get togethers some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full hookups also a shower house and modern restrooms, fire wood for sale."
Off-grid considerations: Cell service varies throughout the region. An RVer noted, "The lake area offers great fishing and there are boat rentals available. And generally limited cell signal might be better that way."
