Small, rural campgrounds surround Carroll, Iowa, offering camping options within a 30-mile radius. While some sites remain open year-round, most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from April through October. Springtime brings frequent rain showers with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F, while fall offers cooler camping conditions ideal for hiking the nearby prairie trails.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Prairie Rose State Park Campground centers around a lake that attracts anglers throughout the season. "Great campground if all you want to do is fish," notes one visitor, while another mentions seeing "lots of people out in boats, kayaks, and on the shore."
Prairie hiking trails: The natural landscape offers walking paths through native grasslands. At Prairie Rose, one camper shared their experience "looking for wildflowers along the lake trails" and noted the "trails are perfect for XC skiing in winter."
Wildlife viewing: The rural setting provides opportunities to spot local animals. "We saw bald eagles and deer very close to the tent," reports one Prairie Rose visitor. Another camper enjoyed "prairie wildlife such as a blue heron, geese, bald eagles, frogs" during their stay.
What campers like
Lake access: Odebolt Memorial Walk RV Park provides water access in a small-town setting. One visitor described it as a "cute tiny town with a cute little spot to park the camper. Located near the crick and manicured walking path."
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds offer peaceful settings away from highways. At Springbrook State Park Campground, a camper appreciated that "it's not a far drive from Des Moines, but still quite remote" with "lots of nice hiking trails."
Swimming beaches: Multiple locations feature swimming areas for summer recreation. One camper at Springbrook noted "its beach is fun on the hot summer days, and tends to not be too busy," while Prairie Rose visitors mentioned an "awesome swimming pond."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many rv sites near Carroll, Iowa have limited or no connectivity. At Springbrook, a visitor noted, "No cell reception, which could be a 'con' but we like that it forces us to unplug." Another camper cautioned about having "no service. This is the first place we have been to without voice service."
Distance to supplies: Most campgrounds sit away from major shopping areas. At Jesse James Gang RV Hookup, campers have access to full hookups but should arrive prepared since the nearest town with comprehensive supplies can be several miles away.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. Springbrook campers report "easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms," while another noted the "shower house/bathroom isn't super modern, but was clean."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking at Prairie Rose, one family appreciated that the "playground was directly behind us which is a plus for us" allowing parents to monitor children while at the campsite.
Educational opportunities: University 40 offers an educational environment described as "a nice place, unusual and interesting, especially for students" with multiple outdoor learning activities.
Nature centers: Some parks feature educational buildings with wildlife displays. At Springbrook, a parent shared that "they had a little nature center which was closed but the nice lady opened it for my kids to go in and let them hold snakes and turtles! They were so excited!"
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: At Shelby Country Inn & RV Park, one RVer noted road noise concerns, mentioning the location is "right off the highway, with exit sprawl left and right" which affected their experience.
Electric hookup options: Many campgrounds offer only electric connections without full hookups. In Springbrook, campers mention "the park is electric only with a dump station and water hydrants throughout the park."
Dump station timing: When staying at parks without sewer connections, plan for potential delays. One RVer at Springbrook mentioned there was only "1 dump" resulting in a "long wait" during busy checkout periods.
