Best RV Parks & Resorts near Brighton, IA

Crossroads RV Park in Mount Pleasant provides full hookup RV sites with 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections year-round. The park features pull-through sites that accommodate larger rigs with paved access roads and level gravel pads. "Sites were close together and very close to a train track," noted one camper about the spacing between units. Updog RV & Camping, also in Mount Pleasant, operates seasonally from April to November with similar amenities but offers more shade trees and a small fishing pond. Amana RV Park & Event Center, approximately 55 miles north, provides spacious sites with full hookups for big rigs in a location open from April through October. Cedar River Campground in Tipton maintains 185 sites with water and electrical hookups, though without 50-amp service.

Several RV parks in the region require reservations during summer weekends and fall harvest festivals. Most campgrounds maintain dump stations even when full sewer hookups aren't available at individual sites. Cell service varies between parks, with tree-covered areas like Updog sometimes experiencing reduced connectivity. According to feedback on The Dyrt, train noise can be significant at Crossroads RV Park, with one visitor reporting "constant train traffic all night" due to tracks less than a quarter-mile away. Winter camping options are limited, as many parks close between November and April. Pets are welcome at most locations, though campground-specific rules apply regarding leash requirements and designated walking areas. Propane is generally not available on-site, requiring visitors to locate refill stations in nearby towns.

Best RV Sites Near Brighton, Iowa (83)

    1. Crossroads RV Park - Iowa

    6 Reviews
    Mount Pleasant, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 385-9737

    $38 / night

    "Very nice personnel and clean, updated facilities. There are some long-term residents, but everyone seems very kind and helpful. Clean restrooms and laundry. You can buy quarters for the laundry."

    "The site was a full hookup- electric, water and sewer. I wouldn’t stay longer than an overnight. The sites were close together and very close to a train track."

    2. Updog RV & Camping

    5 Reviews
    Mount Pleasant, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 986-6039

    $30 / night

    "Quiet park with lots of shade trees. 5 minutes from everything!"

    "Showed me around n where I could pitch for the night. Right by the pond. Very clean, very quiet n would go all over again!"

    3. Ferry Landing - Mississippi River

    2 Reviews
    Oakville, IA
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 794-4524

    "Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests. Look out for insects."

    4. Amana RV Park & Event Center

    10 Reviews
    Amana, IA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 622-7616

    $25 - $42 / night

    "This is a great location right in the Amana Colonies to explore the area. There are sites for tents up to big rigs. They have showers and laundry and the folks are very nice."

    "We used our bikes and biked around the colonies. Place was clean, showers and bathroom great. We were there after Labor Day and had section to our selves.Lots of dump stations. Minimal tres however."

    5. Cedar River Campground

    11 Reviews
    West Liberty, IA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 946-2431

    $35 - $50 / night

    "Convenient location a lot of amenities and activities"

    6. Sudbury Court Motel & RV Park

    1 Review
    Marengo, IA
    44 miles
    +1 (319) 642-5411

    "One of the few places around Cedar Rapids that is open in winter. 35$/night. Management is pleasant."

    7. Camp Nauvoo

    1 Review
    Nauvoo, IL
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 453-9930

    $32 / night

    "The park streets are gravel with concrete pull-through sites. The park is very quiet. Great value for $32. Full hookups.  Stayed in campsite#10 which has no shade."

    8. Little Bear Campground

    8 Reviews
    West Branch, IA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 627-2676

    $22 - $49 / night

    "Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night)."

    "Very conveniently located off I-80, Fair price, full hook up and pull through site $33.00."

    10. Langwood Education Center

    5 Reviews
    Fruitland, IA
    Website

    $99 - $194 / night

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RV Park Reviews near Brighton, IA

305 Reviews of 83 Brighton Campgrounds


  • D
    Jun. 10, 2022

    Camp Nauvoo

    Great value, nice campground

    Camp Nauvoo is a nice, church operated, park only 5 minutes from downtown Nauvoo. We stayed one night on our way to Minnesota. The sites are sunny and all are pull-through.but some have shade. The park streets are gravel with concrete pull-through sites. The park is very quiet. Great value for $32. Full hookups. 

    Stayed in campsite#10 which has no shade. It was a concrete pull-through with more than enough parking for my TT and truck and grass on either side. The site included: picnic table. Utilities were located in different spots. 20A/30A/50A electric in the middle, water near the rear, and sewer near the front. Site was level. No neighbor on passenger/awning side. 

    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. Free WiFi available, but I had trouble connecting. 

    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. It is a pull-through turnout. Then, turn off the highway on the right.

    Would stay here again. We camped at Camp Nauvoo in a Travel Trailer.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Linder Point Campground

    Well designed and maintained small RV campground j

    Natural setting with plenty of trees and located near Coralville Reservoir. Paved roads and sites. Ample roam for big rigs, but no pull through sites. Electricity only, with fresh water and a dump station nearby. Modern and clean bathhouse. Open sky at most sites for Starlink. No other amenities at this campsite for children, but there are hiking trails and activities at the nearby reservoir recreation areas.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    West Overlook Campground

    Amazing Iowa stop for 2 nights

    On our way across the state and was concerned about needing power. Was able to find 1 spot for 2 nights only a day early. Very popular place. E/W with dump station in the campground. Water access by beach and boat. Next to the dam on lake side. Spacious sites. Well maintained. Concrete pad with picnic table and fire pit. Close to town if needing shopping.

  • Renee H.
    Mar. 12, 2024

    Marr Park

    Great place to spend a night or even a few days

    Close to major highway. Gravel sites. Clean campground. Many paved and grass walking trails surrounded by trees and natural areas. Bath/shower house is under construction. Child’s play equipment. Bathrooms with flush toilets nearby. Dump station for a fee. All sites had water and electric. Water was off during our visit in March. Park connected to nearby town by paved trail, approx 1 mile away. Gas and convenience store nearby. Camphost on site. Park is in a quiet rural location. Payment is made at dropbox when entering the park. Cell signal was 2 bars with Verizon.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Short Jog to This Campground Outpost From I80

    If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to pull over for a decent escape to nature, then you may very well want to consider Sleepy Hollow, which is just a few minutes north of I80. Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped both the non-stop whir of incessant highway traffic and the unsightly view of a heavily trafficked main roadway. Add on top of this that you’ll find this location is perfectly suitable to the RV crowd as much as it is the tent-pitching bredren that belong to my tribe of outdoor enthusiasts.

    Here at this campground you’ll find RV and 5th Wheel sites offering both pull-thru and back-in sites complete with full hook-ups (water, 30 / 50 amp electric and sewage). There’s 7 tent sites that are very well shaded, have a decent patch of land and include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills. Whether you have a tent, an RV or not, this campground has a small handful of cozy cabins available to rent that come with running hot & cold water as well as electricity and are located close to the fishing pond. What I enjoyed most with the primitive camping area was the serenity offered by the abundance of new growth Oaks that shaded the place, along with unfettered views of the lake itself. Priceless.

    Sleepy Hollow offers a number of amenities including: ‘catch& release’ pond (both swimming and fishing potential), ball pit, kid’s playground, puppy park, designated dumpsters, fairly decent WiFi, community firepits, general market store, laundr-O-mat, shower facility, pavilion, horseshoes, game room, volleyball and basketball courts, artificial beachhead with swim area and windmills. There’s a lagoon with hundreds of ducks, but depending upon how you look at this, it may or may not be considered an amenity, but if you have kids like I do, it’s a great distraction that offers up a lot of duck-feeding fun.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re looking for a decent bit of hiking, there’s a nice slice of nature near here at Sleepy Hollow a bit NE called Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area where there’s plenty of trails, shooting ranges and some fairly decent bird watching; (2) When you get tired trying to conjure up that next meal from your cooler or on-board fridge, then head over to nearby Renee’s Roadhouse where this roadside stand serves up standard Americana fare like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. For anything more substantial, you’ll have to take a longer drive east to Iowa City of which I recommend Steak & Shake, Back Berner Bar & Grill or Barrel House; (3) If you’d like to embrace the Amish vibe that exists here in rural Iowa, then head due north to Amana Colonies where you’ll come across hand-made blankets and artisan-crafted cabinetry all while offering you some very warm Midwestern hospitality.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2024

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Sleepy Campground Oasis Stone’s Throw from Highway Thoroughfare

    Should you be traveling east-west on one of the country’s busiest thoroughfares – Route 80 – and find yourself in central Iowa and looking either for a place to pull over for a day or for much longer than that, then you may very well want to consider Beyonder Getaway at Sleep Hollow. Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and drive-by buzz of non-stop traffic. 

    This campground oasis planted square in the middle of the 'prairieland' of the Hawkeye State, you’ll appreciate that there is a decent-sized lake here that is perfect for a quick dip should you want to get some swimming in and cool down from the blistering Midwestern summer heat or perhaps you’d like to put a kayak or canoe in to get some decent oar exercising in or cast a line to try your luck and some mild ‘catch& release’ fun – whatever the reason … up to and including no reason at all … the mini lake that is front and center here at Beyonder is both a good distraction as well as makes for a great landscape. 

    As for the campground itself, there’s RV sites offering up pull-thru and back-in sites complete with full hook-up water, 30+ 50 amp electric and sewage lines. If you’re a primitive camper like me, there’s a handful of sites (7 by my count) that include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills. And if you don’t have either a tent or an RV, no worries, Sleepy Hollow will easily rent you one of their 3 cozy cabins which are located up front and close to the fishing pond, where these structures come with running hot and cold water along with electricity. 

    With amenities in mind, Beyonder packs a punch with offering the following: horseshoes, kid’s playground, dog run/ puppy park, designated dumpsters, fairly decent WiFi, community firepits, general market store, laundr-O-mat, shower facility, pavilion, game room, ball pit, volleyball and basketball courts, man-made beachhead with swim area and windmills. Oh, and there’s a lagoon with hundreds of ducks, but depending upon how you look at this, it may or many not be considered an amenity. My kids loved it and we had a lot of fun feeding our feathered friends. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) When you get tired of digging through your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge, then head on over to nearby Renee’s Roadhouse where this roadside stand serves up standard-fare Americana fare like burgers, sandwiches and wraps; (2) For anything more substantial, you’ll have to take a longer drive east to Iowa City of which I recommend Foundry Food+ Tap, Back Berner Bar& Grill or Casa Tequila Tiffin; (3) Should you be looking to explore a nice slice of nature while here at Beyonder’s then head due northeast to Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area where there’s plenty of trails, shooting ranges and some fairly decent bird watching; (4) If you’d like to embrace the Amish vibe that exists here in rural Iowa, then head due north to Amana Colonies where you’ll come across what looks like German colonies that have been expelled from the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) where this displaced utopian outcrop will sell you anything from blankets and cabinetry all while offering you some nice wienerschnitzel and apfelpflanzen. Auf wiedersehen! 

    Happy Camping!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2022

    Fairport State Recreation Area Campground

    Nice State Park along Mississippi River

    CG sits along Highway 22 and railroad, with 2 boat ramps for river access. CG host, restrooms, dump station, playground. Sites have electric, water, fire rings, tables, drive in pads. Nearby towns for supplies.

  • Jessica H.
    May. 19, 2018

    Snively Access

    Snively Campground Wapello, IA

    Snively Access Campground is located off of County Road X61 in Wapello, IA. The access road is a steep, well-maintained, gravel drive that takes you directly to Lake Odessa and the campsites. Note: the entrance sign to the campground is a little difficult to see from the road, and the campground does sometimes close due to high water. Gates will be shut with a High Water sign on them if that's the case. It's best to call ahead to Louisa County Conservation if you're planning to camp in the spring/summer when flood season tends to be most prevalent in this area.

    There are two separate campgrounds, all are electrical sites, (no dump station) except for one tent-only site which is situated up on a hill by itself with a round about road off to the right as you drive down the main access road. The second campground is to the left, with no bathrooms, and also butts up to a community of seasonal/year round cabins. This means it may be a bit more noisy during the warmer months. We chose the second campground and only one other site was in use. All was quiet by 10:00pm. We did wake up once or twice to the sound of barred owls calling back and forth in the night which only added to the ambiance of tent camping. This area is known as a hub for migratory birds, so if you're a bird person, it's a prime location. We saw red-headed woodpecker, yellow warblers, and a handful of other birds. About 5 minutes north of the campground is Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge which offers an interpretive center, modern restroom facilities, hiking trails and bird watching.

    Each campsite has a graveled drive, picnic bench, fire ring and garbage can with lid. There is a public parking area and dock to put in boats on the lake and fish. All campsites have a lake view, and several are in shaded spots along the timber line. This is a dog-friendly campground and dogs must be leashed at all times. These sites are first-come-first serve and are $12/night. You are required to self-register within 30 minutes of your arrival time. There is a registration kiosk to the right, at the bottom of the main access road.

    This was a nice, smaller campground with a water front view that felt secluded and slightly more primitive.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2019

    Little Bear Campground

    Cute and Quaint

    Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night). We pulled in late to stay the night. It had full hook ups with a fire ring and picnic table. The spot was good sized and clean. There is an office/ gift shop and a convent store within walking distance. There is 2 cute little cabins which run $49 a night. There is a pool(closed for season), and a playground for kids. I was surprised that the interstate noise was much quieter than I thought it would be. All and all it was a pleasant place to stop over.


Guide to Brighton

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular RV campsite near Brighton, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Brighton, IA is Crossroads RV Park - Iowa with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find RV camping near Brighton, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 83 RV camping locations near Brighton, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.