Best RV Parks & Resorts near Burlington, IA

Several RV parks operate within 30 miles of Burlington, Iowa, accommodating various motorhome sizes and camping preferences. Big Hollow Recreation Area offers full hookup RV sites with level concrete pads and is open seasonally from spring through fall. Crossroads RV Park in Mount Pleasant provides year-round access with 50-amp electrical hookups, sewer connections, and pull-through sites for larger rigs. "Very nice personnel and clean, updated facilities. Parking is drive thru, but sites are pretty close," notes one camper about Crossroads. Shady Creek campground near Muscatine accommodates big rigs with electric and water hookups but no sewer connections at individual sites. Updog RV & Camping operates from April through mid-November with limited spacing between units—some sites offering barely one foot of clearance beyond slide-outs.

Most area RV parks maintain sanitary dump stations even when sewer hookups aren't available at individual sites. Cell service varies significantly, with heavily wooded areas like Updog experiencing reduced connectivity. Advance reservations are advisable during summer weekends and fall color season. Train noise impacts the camping experience at certain locations, particularly Crossroads RV Park where one reviewer described "constant train traffic all night" with "horns blaring" from tracks less than a quarter-mile away. Pet policies generally allow dogs with standard leash requirements. Some campgrounds like Galesburg East/Knoxville KOA Journey sell firewood on-site, while others expect campers to bring their own supplies. Access roads may present challenges during wet weather, particularly at riverside locations where flooding occasionally occurs.

Best RV Sites Near Burlington, Iowa (75)

    1. Ferry Landing - Mississippi River

    2 Reviews
    Oakville, IA
    25 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."

    2. Shady Creek

    17 Reviews
    Illinois City, IL
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 419-0857

    $14 - $26 / night

    "We have Verizon. Clean showers and 50 amp sites."

    "Easy to navigate, even with big rigs, which there were planty. Never seen a park where every pad was level like this one."

    3. Crossroads RV Park - Iowa

    6 Reviews
    Mount Pleasant, IA
    23 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."

    4. Updog RV & Camping

    5 Reviews
    Mount Pleasant, IA
    26 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!"

    5. Camp Nauvoo

    1 Review
    Nauvoo, IL
    23 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."

    6. Nauvoo RV Park

    Be the first to review!
    Nauvoo, IL
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (217) 453-2253

    7. Big Hollow Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Sperry, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 985-2502

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Site C was level for our camper van. Large, spacious site. Wooded. Fire ring. No table st this site, but other sites in this area has tables. Vault toilets a short walk away."

    "This site has a large number of mostly cement camper spots, including pull through. There is a large playground and shower house. Primitive camping for single or group spots."

    8. Geode State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    New London, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 392-4601

    $12 - $20 / night

    "We ventured south to Geode State Park near Burlington, IA. We are getting the travel trailer tweeked in. We weathered a rainy 🌧 day Saturday (all day)."

    "No electricity or water in our site. Clean bathrooms. Cheap wood for fires. Really nice fire pits with attached grill. There is a lake here too. Lots of boats. We didn't fish."

    9. Sturgeon Bay Park and Campground

    1 Review
    Oakville, IA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 587-8181

    $15 - $30 / night

    10. Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey

    8 Reviews
    Galesburg, IL
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (309) 289-2267

    $50 - $150 / night

    "The new owners made significant improvements, including a brand new shower house, new playground equipment, mini golf, pool, and laundry."

    "Deluxe patio site on the ends nearest the pond are preferable. The regular sites may be considered a bit cramped by some standards. All fire pits seem to have grill grates."

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RV Park Reviews near Burlington, IA

235 Reviews of 75 Burlington 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.

  • 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.

  • david C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Carthage City Park

    Accessible, shady, and near sights to see

    While they were working on adding a bath house with toilets the campground is at the local golf course to use. 30 amp and water only. Gravel pads, mostly level. Shade and quiet in pm. During day you have golfers but not enough to bother you. A pavilion is available for use. Good area close to stores, fuel and off-site dump station.

  • 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.

  • C
    Mar. 18, 2022

    Hickory Haven Campground

    Pretty, wooded campground

    Needed an overnight spot on our way north, off season for camping in this area.  Called mid afternoon for availability and spoke with John who promptly told us he would hold a site for us. Large campground that has a few full hookup sites open year around. We were given a site between a couple of traveling workers. Both came out to greet us which was very nice. Site was a bit small but certainly ok for a night's stay. Many larger sites farther back in the closed area. Full hook-ups. Level gravel. Picnic table available. Laundry and restrooms very clean. Playground, pavilion for movies, dog area, frog pond, hiking trails and beautiful woods. A few camping supplies available in the office. This would be a fun getaway for families in the summer months.

  • Bradley H.
    Jul. 25, 2022

    Wildcat Springs Park

    Wildcat Creek Campground, Hamilton , Illinois

    Wildcat is a very nice campground operated by the City of Hamilton, Illinois. Campground has only 17 RV slots of various sizes. We had room to put our 32 foot fifth wheel and room to park our truck alongside. Ours was one of a couple of sites large enough to handle our size.

    Their website says the nightly fee is $15 for tents and $25 fir RV. When we arrived we were informed that it had gone up to $20 fir tent and $30 for RV.

    Service excludes electricity of 30 and 50 amp. Water is also available at each site. A dump station is on site.

    Also on site is a very nice public pool and interesting Disc Golf course.

    Very quite and peaceful surroundings. Just a half mile off of the Mississippi River.

    We will definitely return here when we get back to the area.

  • M
    Jun. 27, 2018

    Buffalo Shores County Park

    Amazing Riverside Campground

    This campground sits alongside the Mississippi River in Buffalo, Iowa. It's morning sunrises are beautiful! Watching the barges go by, kids playground, nature trail, volleyball & swimming in the beach area, fishing & boating are a few of the things you can do here. Sites have electric & water hookup. There is a dump station and bath house as well. Tent or RV's welcome on a first come, first serve basis. Kid & Dog friendly. $21-$23 sites. Firewood & Snacks available for purchase at office. We love this place!! Gas stations & local restaurants/bars are only a mile away. (Holiday's get full fast- Plan to come 4-5 days early for a spot)

  • 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.

  • Melissa H.
    Apr. 9, 2023

    Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey

    Quiet, well-maintained, impeccable hosts

    We stopped here for a night on both ends of our trip to Southern Illinois. The campground was recently turned into a KOA. The new owners made significant improvements, including a brand new shower house, new playground equipment, mini golf, pool, and laundry. The grounds are lovely and well-maintained and the location is super quiet and peaceful. There was a pretty little pond and a dog run. Plenty of pull-through sites and FHU options, as well as cabin rentals. The hosts were delightful and really accommodating. Will definitely return!


Guide to Burlington

The Mississippi River and its tributaries shape the landscape near Burlington, Iowa, creating a mix of wooded bluffs and riverside camping opportunities. Elevations range from 530 to 700 feet above sea level throughout the region, with summer temperatures typically averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Cell service can vary significantly between riverside locations and higher ground campsites.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Big Hollow Recreation Area, the lake offers multiple species for anglers. "If you are into fishing, this place has large mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish," notes one camper who enjoyed both fishing and camping in their travel trailer.

Kayaking and paddling: The Mississippi River and surrounding waterways provide excellent paddling routes. A camper at Ferry Landing recommends "paddling upstream to Port Louisa NWR or Lake Odessa" and mentions the area is "great for isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet!"

Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer hiking opportunities through bottomland forests. "The trail system around the lake is in pretty good shape and makes for some great mountain biking," reports a visitor to Geode State Park, where you'll find well-maintained paths suitable for various skill levels.

What campers like

River views: Campsites along the Mississippi provide unobstructed water views. At Shady Creek, a camper recommends "Site #12 with electric hookup was in my opinion the best site. Right on the back of the mighty Mississippi." Another notes the "level poured pad for RV, electric and nice fire pits" with "beautiful views of the Mississippi."

Affordable camping: Many sites offer reasonable rates for RV camping near Burlington, Iowa. At Geode State Park, a visitor mentioned paying just "$12 a night. No electricity or water in our site. Clean bathrooms. Cheap wood for fires. Really nice fire pits with attached grill."

Level sites: RV campers appreciate the concrete pads at several area campgrounds. According to one camper at Shady Creek, "Never seen a park where every pad was level like this one. Electric was 30/50 at each site and water was dispersed through out the park."

What you should know

Weather impacts: Spring flooding can affect riverside campgrounds. At Ferry Landing, a visitor noted they "tried to camp here, but dirt road going in was submerged in deep mud holes after some heavy rain."

Insect preparation: Bottomland areas along rivers can have significant insect activity. A camper at Ferry Landing advises to "look out for insects" when enjoying "paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests."

Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad noise. At Crossroads RV Park, a reviewer mentioned "railroad tracks on one side, which came through at 3:30 am blowing his horns, and the Mississippi on the other, a couple during the night with their loud engines."

Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance booking. A visitor to Shady Creek advises, "make your reservations as early as you can the spots go quick! The campground even has a military spot!"

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Families with children appreciate dedicated play areas. At Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey, a visitor mentioned, "When we first got to the camp ground you can see a decent sized pool and greeted by the host with great hospitality... They have mini golf and cabins on site as well."

Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation suitable for families. Big Hollow Recreation Area features a beach area, though one camper noted that during their visit "the lake was filled with algae. So if you're wanting to fish or swim, this isn't the place for you!"

Nature activities: Look for campgrounds with diverse outdoor options. A visitor to Big Hollow Recreation Area mentioned "a gun range, horse farm, playground, bathrooms, and even a place to use a few telescopes to see the stars!"

Tips from RVers

Site spacing concerns: Some RV parks have limited space between units. At Updog RV & Camping, a critical reviewer noted, "With slide out on each side, and not superslides either, I had EXACTLY 1 foot left on each side of my slides. I could not put out my awning as it would hit the camper next to me."

Full hookup options: Several campgrounds offer complete utilities. A camper at Big Hollow Recreation Area commented, "This is a great campground. Sites are pretty level and easy to get parked. Full hookup!!!"

Cell service considerations: Digital connectivity varies by location. At Shady Creek, one camper mentioned "Our cell phone provider is Sprint and we had zero service" while others reported "Strong Verizon access" at the same campground, indicating carrier-dependent coverage.

Accessibility for large rigs: Several campgrounds can accommodate larger RVs. A reviewer at Galesburg East / Knoxville KOA Journey noted, "All sites are pull thru with full hookups. The grounds have lots of mature trees so shade is plenty."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Burlington, IA is Ferry Landing - Mississippi River with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 75 RV camping locations near Burlington, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.