RV campgrounds near Brighton, Iowa offer camping experiences along the Cedar River and Mississippi River watersheds in southeastern Iowa. The area sits at elevations ranging from 580 to 720 feet with predominantly clay loam soils that can become muddy after rain. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with significant humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons experience temperature fluctuations requiring layered clothing.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cedar River Campground provides river access for anglers. "Has playground, pool, mini golf, Cedar River access too," notes one visitor, with another mentioning the "beautiful wetland just down from the campground."
Mini-golf recreation: Family-friendly activities exist at several parks. A visitor to Cedar River Campground reported "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids," making it suitable for multi-day stays.
Biking through historic areas: Amana RV Park & Event Center offers excellent cycling opportunities to nearby attractions. "We used our bikes and biked around the colonies. Place was clean, showers and bathroom great," wrote one camper, while another mentioned it's a "30 minute walk to the idyllic town of Amaña."
River paddling: Seasonal water activities are available at riverside locations. At Ferry Landing, one visitor reported "Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests," providing access to natural waterways.
What campers like
Shade availability: Updog RV & Camping receives positive feedback for its tree coverage. "Quiet park with lots of shade trees. 5 minutes from everything!" writes one reviewer, while another mentions "Lots of trees for great shade in these hot days. Nice pond for some fun fishing."
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight well-maintained bathhouses. At Crossroads RV Park, a visitor noted "Very clean bathrooms and showers," and another stated "Clean, well organized and spacious."
Lake views: Diamond Lake County Park offers waterfront camping with scenic views. "Nice, quite camping spots with a serene view of Lake Diamond," reports one camper, while another mentioned staying in site "#12 just 20ft from waters edge. Space had water and electric, fire ring and tables."
Easy highway access: Several campgrounds provide convenient travel stops. Little Bear Campground was described as "Very conveniently located off I-80 at the West Liberty exit," with another camper adding it's "Perfect for overnight camping" and "right off highway."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. Updog RV & Camping runs "April 15 - November 15" while Amana RV Park operates "Apr 1 - Oct 31," requiring planning for off-season visits.
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have tight configurations. A visitor to Little Bear Campground described it as "intimate with all of the very level grassy spots being fairly close to one another," though noting there's "plenty of cover shadow from all of the trees."
Water conditions: Diamond Lake has limited swimming potential. "The only downside is that the lake water was very murky. I would not want to swim there," shared one visitor, with another confirming "Lake was nice for kayaking."
Background noise: Highway and rail sounds affect some locations. Cedar River Campground sits "right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400."
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability: Diamond Lake County Park offers outdoor recreation options. "Kid's playground is fantastic and nearly brand new," noted one visitor, with multiple amenities that appeal to children.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates. Little Bear Campground charges "$22/night for tent sites and $33/night for RV sites," offering "a pool, and a playground for kids" that won't break the family budget.
Wildlife viewing: Natural experiences abound at certain locations. Diamond Lake provides "Great spot for birds—saw multiple heron, egret and hawks," according to one visitor who enjoyed the natural surroundings.
Safety considerations: Parks maintain varying security levels. A solo female traveler reported "I felt very safe here" when staying at Diamond Lake County Park, noting its "lush grass and greenery all around."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Surface conditions vary between campgrounds. At Amana RV Park, a visitor noted "the roads and pads are gravel so I could see it becoming an issue during weather but we didn't have much trouble leveling."
Big rig accommodation: Camp Nauvoo provides concrete pull-through sites. "The sites are sunny and all are pull-through but some have shade. The park streets are gravel with concrete pull-through sites," reported one RVer, adding that utilities were arranged with "20A/30A/50A electric in the middle, water near the rear, and sewer near the front."
Access considerations: Some parks require careful navigation. At Camp Nauvoo, a visitor warned "If you are southbound on Illinois Hwy 96, the left turn off the highway is very sharp and steep. Might be easier to continue about a mile south and use the scenic turnout to turnaround."
Cell connectivity: Coverage varies by carrier. An RVer at Camp Nauvoo reported "AT&T had 3 bars of LTE and Verizon 1 bar of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 56.8 Mbps down, 9.3 Mbps up," allowing for planning communication needs.
