Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Carroll, IA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Carroll is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Carroll. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"If there was a tent only location, I didn't see it. Those in campers that need water and electricity are regulated to gravel 'parking lot' sites."
"Great trail all the way around the lake, we took a bike ride around it was about 3 ish miles. Camp host was a gem. Bathrooms were very clean! Great view of the lake."
$25 / night
"I really think that thanks to my initiative, many students were able to step out of academic trouble and get back to focusing on their studies."
" Enjoy drifting& driving awesome cars. Explore beautiful maps, find your favourite drift locations. Do experiments with car tuning."
$15 - $33 / night
"Park is right next to the lake. Beautiful lake. Pretty busy with lots of campers. Nice walking path around the lake."
"Beautiful view of the lake! Multiple options of camping sites. Clean RR and showers. Nice area!"
$16 - $50 / night
"Utility location did require us to use a longer hose and extension cord to reach from our site. Nice town and trails for biking nearby. "
$20 / night
"There are campsites along the lake with easy access to shoreline. There are approximately 100 sites. There is a playground and disc golf. There is a roller rink and a concession stand."
"Plenty of camping spaces, some right next to the lake. Swimming area, concession stand, boat rentals, and even a skating rink on the weekends. My favorite childhood camping spot."
$12 - $200 / night
"Pros:
-Not a far drive from Des Moines, but still quite remote
-Lots of nice hiking trails
-Easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms
-The lake is a peaceful spot to spend the early mornings"
"You’ll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at."
"We love hiking the trails there & almost always observe fisherman along the river. There aren't a ton of trails, but what the ones there are beautiful & well maintained."
"The kids could walk down to the sand and a bridge. Very well kept, you must clean up after yourself - which should always be the case anyway."
GuideThe trees at the campsites aren't mature enough for shade, but the ponds and trails more than make up for that. Full hookups, shower house and huge dog park are also onsite making this a Cass County hidden gem. Camp host is great and and you're close to old downtown.
RangerThis state park camp site close to Carroll, Iowa was nice, but we were the only tent campers there, it seemed more like a permanent RV home site. The bathrooms while nice had no working showers, they had showers but no way to turn on the water. There was a cute frisbee golf on property, a beautiful lake, and a nice paved walking path.
GuideI didn’t stay here but did scout it out. Small park by the NishnaBotna river. I did see a camper there with his dog but website specifically says no pets.
LegendThis County Park is located right on the edge of Lake Panorama, a great town North West of Des Moines, Iowa. It is surrounded by amenities, so if you forget something you can drive five minutes into town to replace anything you forgot at home.
This is not a place to rough it, but if you have a family and want an outdoors experience close to amenities, this is the place for you. The campground is very clean and it is right next to a river.
ScoutWe showed up easter sunday when everyone in the loop left except one van, so it was pretty empty. But the wind was so intense an constant. Probably about 20 to 25mph wind all day and night. Temp was mid 70s to 80s. Well kept sites and the park ranger came through to check reservations were correct on the posts. Random people did come through the loop area to either hang out or go to the trail, which alerted our dogs everytime. We even thought some lady did a drug deal by grabbing an orange bag from one of the electric posts then left, pretty weird. We stayed on site 81 next to water which was essential. Big lake close by to fish which I'm guessing the only thing to do here other than walk the trail. I ran the trail for a workout, it's all grass around the lake. All the sites are pretty close together, about 20 to 30 apart so of you like that then there you go, but we wanted space for our dogs and privacy. Stayed 2 nights. All views of corn.
GuideThese Iowa state parks are extremely clean and well taken care of. The lake is huge with multiple trails that the kids loved. Playground was directly behind us which is a plus for us.
TravelerReserved electric unit 090 for the weekend, which had a scenic corn field for a backdrop - this is Iowa! Paved roads, level gravel sites, wide & mowed trails, clean pit toilets and a layout that isn’t too cramped. The pond has multiple shoreline fishing spots with picnic tables and a cleaning station. Basic playground in front of the beach which is a short drive or a ~1 mile trail walk away.
TravelerI can't say enough about Kennedy Memorial County park in Fort Dodge Iowa. Its beautiful well taken care of has a nice playground and access to a beautiful golf course! And FREE WIFI! All for $18.00 a night.
LegendWe often seek out city parks for eating lunch when on the road and this is how we found this park/campground. Albert, the world’s largest bull, was constructed in 1964 as a way to draw tourists to the area. Press the button to hear him bellow and learn his history.
Albert is part of a park and campground, which is located next to a pool and water park. The campground is ok but nothing special. On a Monday afternoon in August, only two sites were occupied, and no one seemed to be around but judging by the overflowing dumpster, I’m guessing it was full over the weekend. Sites were typical of what I have come to expect in many campgrounds in Iowa – close together and no physical separation between them. Full hookup sites are $20; all others are $15. There is only one toilet and shower each for women and men; it was in reasonable shape but not the best.
Since the park is adjacent, there is a nice playground and this, along with learning about Albert’s history, might be entertaining for children. I am not sure if non-residents can access the pool/water park; although it was open, no one was there when I was there- this may have been due to Covid.
If you're looking to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friends, there are several pet-friendly camping options near Carroll, Iowa. These campgrounds offer a variety of amenities and activities that cater to both you and your pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Carroll, IA is Swan Lake State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 52 dog-friendly camping locations near Carroll, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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