The Britt area of northern Iowa features a mix of prairie landscape and small lakes, sitting at approximately 1,240 feet above sea level. Summer camping conditions typically include temperatures ranging from 60-85°F, while spring and fall can see significant temperature fluctuations. The surrounding agricultural land creates natural windbreaks at certain campgrounds near Britt, Iowa, affecting how campers should prepare their tent setup and campfire planning.
What to do
Hiking trails: Pilot Knob State Park Campground offers multiple trail options for hikers of all skill levels. One camper noted, "Great hiking trails," while another mentioned that although they "did see several trailheads," they "did not have a map so didn't explore them."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Cornelia Park provides excellent fishing access with generous camping spots overlooking the water. A visitor shared, "It is on a small lake that has good fishing, full hookups, and very nice swimming beach. We also enjoyed walking on the many trails."
Kayaking: Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area offers primitive water access ideal for launching kayaks. A camper reported, "It's about a 1/4 mile off of the dirt road and makes a left towards the end with water access that is great for a kayak."
Wildlife viewing: The various campgrounds near Britt provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Pilot Knob State Park, one visitor mentioned, "Got to see turtles laying eggs and deer were all around. Family loved the fishing."
What campers like
Affordable pricing: Three Fingers Campground & RV Park offers reasonable rates for both short and extended stays. A reviewer noted it was "Nice spot for a short stay" and mentioned, "This is primarily a long-term RV site with a few transient sites. People are friendly, bathrooms and showers are well-maintained."
Well-maintained facilities: McIntosh Woods State Park Campground receives praise for its clean amenities. One visitor remarked, "The bathrooms & showers were awesome & the park guy was very nice & informative." Another camper added, "Clean shower house. Potable water."
Privacy levels: The campgrounds vary significantly in how secluded or social they are. A McIntosh Woods visitor appreciated that "Our camp was so private & we were happy because we had a new puppy that was from a hoarding situation & not real social." In contrast, at Oakwood RV Park, a camper noted "Close sites, little shade. Nice owners, quiet."
Natural settings: Despite being in agricultural country, many campsites offer natural surroundings. At Eldred Sherwood Park, a camper described it as a "Hidden gem (in a cornfield)" that "offers both electric RV sites and primitive sites" with "a couple nice walking paths both forested and prairie."
What you should know
Reservation timing: For popular weekends, especially at lakeside campgrounds, early booking is essential. A visitor to Clear Lake State Park Campground warned, "It being full more than a week before the holiday, shows how great it is."
Site layout considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have specific layout challenges. One camper at Clear Lake noted, "The paved roads leading to the sites are very narrow and would appear to be one-way but are not designated as such, resulting in some confusion."
Weather impacts: Northern Iowa's weather affects camping conditions significantly. One camper observed, "When there is heavy rain you will however have your own pond at most sites."
Cell service: While historically spotty in parts of rural Iowa, cell coverage has improved in many camping areas near Britt. At Thorpe Park, a camper reported, "I also noticed pretty good AT&T cell coverage here. This area has historically been bad for cell coverage so maybe that is improving."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Eldred Sherwood Park provides recreational options for children despite its remote setting. A visitor mentioned, "The park offers a couple nice walking paths both forested and prairie. The lake is small, but I'm told has some good fishing."
Swimming opportunities: Lake Cornelia Park features family-friendly water activities. A camper shared, "This park is great for families with kids. Very clean bathrooms. Parks all around. You can boat, jet ski, or swim at the lake."
Child-friendly shower facilities: When camping with kids, bathroom facilities matter. At Clear Lake State Park, a parent cautioned, "It's hard to control the temperature in the showers, too hot for little kids to stand directly in the water."
Wildlife education: Turn animal sightings into learning opportunities. At Pilot Knob State Park, visitors often encounter various wildlife, as one camper mentioned, "When driving to my site two fawns were laying near the playground."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Many camping sites near Britt, Iowa require additional preparation for larger rigs. A visitor at Clear Lake noted, "Sites not too level, but spacious. Camped in mid April and park was not very busy which was nice."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited at several parks. At Clear Lake State Park, a camper pointed out, "There are only 6 full hook up sites and the care taker made sure we got one. The rest of the sites are beautiful with electric hook up."
Space constraints: Site dimensions vary widely between campgrounds. At Oakwood RV Park, a visitor described it as a "Pretty campground, easy access" with "Great campground for our overnight, would be a wonderful extended stay as well."
First-timer friendly: For new RV owners, certain campgrounds offer ideal setups for learning. At Pilot Knob, a camper shared, "If you are picking up a camper from Lichtsinn RV in Forest City they offer to let you stay on their lot with electric hookups during your pick up. But, we found it a little more private and less intimidating to set up camp down the road just a few miles at Plot Knob State Park."
