Dispersed glamping near Clarion, Iowa provides access to several small lakes, rural woodlands, and open prairie lands at elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,250 feet. Located in north central Iowa, the area features four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching into the 90s and winter temperatures frequently below freezing. Most glamping sites operate from April through October with limited winter availability.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Clear Lake State Park Campground offers excellent fishing from shorelines or boat access points. "Great campground. Family and friends get together a must here. Close to the beach, town and the lake has great fish," notes one visitor who appreciated the accessible fishing.
Hiking trails: Pilot Knob State Park Campground features multiple trails with varying difficulty levels. A camper mentioned, "Beautiful campground. Well maintained. Nice facilities. You can't beat this place for the price. Nice hiking trails too."
Boating access: Most glamping locations near Clarion provide boat launches for small watercraft. At Little Wall Lake County Park, visitors mention the "Small lake. Some sites are reserveable online and some are first come first serve. This looks like it is a popular park for local people in the summer."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife viewing opportunities. One visitor to Little Wall Lake noted, "The frogs in the nearby swamp were fun to hear. Lots of birds too," making it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Dows Pool Park & Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. A camper mentioned it has "Shady, quiet campground with electric & water hookups and a dump station," and another noted, "Large, open spaces equipped with a fire pit and picnic table."
Spacious sites: Campsites at many glamping locations offer adequate separation. A Little Wall Lake visitor reported, "Spacious sites along a gorgeous lake..quiet..wish every campground was this nice!"
Privacy options: Some locations offer more secluded glamping experiences. Kennedy County Park provides "Multiple kids parks, beach area, fishing areas with boat ramps, trails, kids butterfly garden."
Affordable rates: Don Williams Park offers reasonable pricing for glamping accommodations. One visitor noted "Peaceful camping with lots of room, 50 amp hook ups and water easily available," providing good value for money.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially during summer. For Little Wall Lake, visitors noted some sites are reservable online while others remain first-come, first-served.
Weather considerations: Iowa weather can change rapidly. At Little Wall Lake, a camper cautioned, "This is a nice small camp area that only has one downfall: a lack of wind break. We went when the wind was blowing in typical Iowa summer fashion."
Site layout variations: Campgrounds near Clarion offer different configurations. McIntosh Woods State Park Campground has "Sites arranged in a circle around a clean shower house. Potable water. Only 2 non-electric sites. Most sites level. Sites are close to each other, not offering much in the way of privacy."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies between glamping locations. One Kennedy County Park visitor warned, "No cell service provider functions in this park. The WIFI is shared between dozens of sites, speed averages right around 5mps."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kennedy County Park offers excellent facilities for children. A visitor praised it as a "Great community Rec area" with "Multiple kids parks, beach area, fishing areas with boat ramps, trails, kids butterfly garden."
Beach activities: Several glamping sites provide swimming areas. At Don Williams Park, visitors mentioned "Very nice campground with a lake to fish and swimming area."
Educational opportunities: The Grotto of the Redemption near West Bend offers unique educational experiences. A visitor described it as "interesting and inspiring. Admission is free," making it an affordable educational stop.
Wildlife programs: Check with park offices about scheduled nature programs. At Little Wall Lake, families can enjoy wildlife observation as "The frogs in the nearby swamp were fun to hear. Lots of birds too."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary between glamping sites. At Dows Pool Park, an RVer noted, "I saw water, electricity and a picnic table at every site. The pads are gravel and very level."
Accessibility considerations: Some sites may have challenging access during wet weather. Clear Lake State Park visitors mentioned, "When there is heavy rain you will however have your own pond at most sites."
Dump stations: Not all glamping locations have onsite dump facilities. One McIntosh Woods visitor noted, "About 5 miles west of I-35; good place to stop for one night. Electric sites: $18; non-electric $14."
Width constraints: Some glamping sites have limited space between units. A visitor to Featherstone County Park warned, "Snug if you have slide outs, must watch to see you don't hit neighbor's trailer as you extend. Awnings literally touch neighbors."
