Best Campgrounds near Castana, IA

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Castana, IA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Castana, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Iowa camping adventure.

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Best Camping Sites Near Castana, Iowa (79)

    1. Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Onawa, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 423-2829

    $15 - $50 / night

    "Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa!"

    "There’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers."

    2. On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Onawa, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 423-1387

    "Pulled in, John came into the office, asked if I was a Good Sam member and charged me $43.34 for a full hook-up, extra long pull thru on the outside of the trees."

    "Great location. Very nice campground. Large spacious pull thru sites. Extremely clean bathrooms and showers. We stayed twice, westbound and eastbound. Very friendly, nice people."

    3. Preparation Canyon State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Moorhead, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 423-2829

    $9 / night

    "Located directly adjacent to the Preparation Canyon Unit of Loess Hills State Forest; the flora, fauna, and geology of this park are amazing and unique to North America."

    "Had no idea such a scenic place could be found in Iowa! I chose the closest walk-in spot, less than a mile in. It was great! Near a little creek if you need water, and really nicely secluded."

    4. Peters Park

    3 Reviews
    Smithland, IA
    9 miles
    Website

    "Nice, clean, quiet, lake for swimming and fishing, playground, store, movie nights for kids on Fri and Sat."

    5. Onawa-Blue Lake KOA

    6 Reviews
    Onawa, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 423-1633

    6. Southwood Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Smithland, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 889-2215

    7. Huff - Warner Access Area

    3 Reviews
    Onawa, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 433-2400

    "They have a table near the boat ramp that, I assume, is for cleaning your caught fish. If it matters, it did not have running water."

    "Located far enough from the interstate to avoid any traffic noise River barges were unloading next to the campground when we were here."

    8. Woodbury County Park Southwood Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Smithland, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 889-2215

    "Nice campground clean bathrooms the trails are really good quiet and peaceful"

    9. Sunset at Blue Oasis RV Park

    1 Review
    Onawa, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 420-2871

    $52 / night

    "Not to far from the Interstate and Lewis and Clark State Park in Iowa. The gravel site we were on fit our 40 ft fifth wheel without a problem but was slightly off level."

    10. Loess Hills Hideaway

    1 Review
    Moorhead, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 551-0690
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Recent Reviews near Castana, IA

243 Reviews of 79 Castana Campgrounds


  • J
    Aug. 24, 2025

    On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    Overnight stay

    This campsite was everything we were needing for the night plus more. The people were very friendly.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Snyder Bend County Park

    Nice lakeside walking path

    No reservation needed. Self check-in before 10pm. $25 for electric & water hookup. Lake facing spaces available if not already taken. Nice walking trail lakeside. Yes. There are mosquitoes at dusk.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    Comforting

    Night 1 of a 60 day trip with 42 moves. Super clean park and very well taken care of. I watched a youtube video that showed the park and it was like re-living a dream. Pulled in, stopped at office, John came in and helped me, asked me if I was a GoodSam member and charged me $43.34 for a full-hookup, super long pull thru. There were a lot of open spaces so the park felt very comfortable. Totally worth it.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    Comforting

    Night 1 of a 42 moves trip. You can find a few decent youtube videos that show the park and it was like living a dream. Pulled in, John came into the office, asked if I was a Good Sam member and charged me $43.34 for a full hook-up, extra long pull thru on the outside of the trees. I watch for that now after the top of a tree fell on power lines above my camper last year. Seemed pretty vacant but there were people here that looked like travelers. Very comfortable.

  • Abby W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Simple Overnight Stay

    Stopped late after a long 12 hour drive. I loved the simple self service process. We picked an open spot, paid, and parked. The facilities were impressively clean and well maintained.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Nice stop for a night on the road

    20$ is a really good deal for a nice site with electricity, a picnic table on a cement slab and a hot free clean shower. We were hesitating between this spot and a truck stop with shower. More than happy and satisfied with our choice.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Scenic Park

    Perfect for 1 nite OR a long stay!

    Sites are easy to park in. Plenty of trees and grass. Some noise from train and city, but very bearable. Easy access from and to Sioux City and highway. Office folk accommodating, helpful, and there for you .

  • Laura N.
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Onawa-Blue Lake KOA

    Rude Manager, Unsafe Site, and Terrible Customer Service

    We travel full-time with a 40′ fifth wheel and have stayed at many KOAs— but this was by far the worst experience we’ve had. Upon arrival, we were placed in Site 29, which was muddy on both sides, narrow, and clearly not suitable for a rig of our size. We asked for another option and were moved to Site 27, which wasn’t much better. The sites here are shockingly narrow— barely enough width to safely open your slides, let alone enjoy the space. When my husband asked why no gravel had been put down, the staff responded that it had been raining a lot. He said,“Don’t make excuses for someone else. That pisses me off.” He didn’t yell, threaten, or use foul language— just expressed his frustration after a long day on the road. The employee left without issue. Minutes later, the manager came to our site angry, accused my husband of cursing at her staff, and demanded we pack up and leave immediately, despite us having already set up. When I tried to clarify what had actually been said, she refused to listen and insisted she believed her employee. She even told us she“couldn’t help that people didn’t know how to drive,” which I guess was her explanation for the mud— an inappropriate and dismissive response. Meanwhile, we took photos of visible cracks in the soil— clearly it hadn’t been as wet as claimed. To make things worse:• There’s almost no signage for this KOA until you’re practically on top of it— very difficult to find without GPS.• Another campground nearby welcomed us without issue and told us we weren’t the first to show up after leaving this KOA due to similar poor treatment. We’ll be sharing this experience on our blog and social media platforms— and we’ve heard this manager has a habit of calling guests liars when she receives bad reviews. So let me be clear: we stayed there, we have the photos, the receipt, and the conversation details. This was an unacceptable experience, and we strongly recommend avoiding this KOA.

  • Bob H.
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    RV park type camping

    Nice facilities well maintained.I guess most people are looking for this kind of camping, but it's a bunch of campers all piled on top of each other with no real views.


Guide to Castana

Camping near Castana, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Enjoy the scenic trails at Preparation Canyon State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "There are several trails to follow in the area," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At Lewis and Clark State Park Campground, you can fish or just relax by the water. A camper noted, "Great sites right on the water," perfect for those who love being near lakes.
  • Playgrounds and Family Fun: Families will appreciate the playgrounds at Onawa-Blue Lake KOA. One reviewer said, "Nice pool and playground," highlighting the kid-friendly amenities.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the campgrounds. For example, at Snyder Bend County Park, a visitor remarked, "Decent bath house with showers," which is a big plus for many.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment. A reviewer at Browns Lake Bigelow Park Woodbury County Park said, "This place was so beautiful and peaceful," making it ideal for relaxation.
  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate having room to spread out. One visitor at Cottonwood Cove Park Campground noted, "Quiet large sites at a reasonable price," which is great for families or groups.

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Preparation Canyon State Park Campground, have minimal facilities. A camper mentioned, "There is no drinking water," so be sure to bring your own supplies.
  • Seasonal Availability: Many campgrounds, such as Snyder Bend County Park, are only open from May to October. Check the season before planning your trip.
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. One visitor at Snyder Bend County Park warned, "Mosquitoes were bad," so pack some bug spray.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. Onawa-Blue Lake KOA has a pool and playground, making it a hit with kids.
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Many campgrounds have quiet hours. A camper at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground noted, "Busy but not noisy and quiet by 9," which is great for families with young children.
  • Pack Games and Activities: Bring along games or outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained. One family at Browns Lake Bigelow Park Woodbury County Park enjoyed the "playground for the kids."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Snyder Bend County Park mentioned, "Plan on using your leveling blocks," indicating some sites may not be perfectly level.
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground features. Cottonwood Cove Park Campground offers water and electric, which is a plus for RVers.
  • Be Mindful of Dump Stations: Some campgrounds may not have dump stations on-site. A visitor at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground noted, "There is a sanitary dump nearby," so plan accordingly.

Camping near Castana, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Castana, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Castana, IA is Lewis and Clark State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.