106 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Collins, Iowa range from small, wooded retreats to larger recreation areas with lakeside access, offering tent camping, full-hookup RV areas, and even cabin rentals across the region. Hickory Grove Campground in Colo features spacious sites with 50-amp electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, while Ashton Wildwood Park in Mingo provides a more rustic camping experience with tent sites tucked among trees. The area's campgrounds include developed county parks and RV-friendly locations, with several offering both primitive tent sites and full-hookup RV areas. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt provides opportunities for boat-in camping along with traditional drive-in sites, while facilities like Jester County Park accommodate everything from basic tent camping to cabin rentals.
Seasonal timing significantly affects the camping experience in central Iowa, with most campgrounds operating from April through October or November. One camper shared, "The sites are very spacious, could easily accommodate multiple tents" when describing Ashton Wildwood Park's layout. Several campgrounds feature modern shower facilities and restrooms, though more primitive areas may only offer pit toilets. Water access varies considerably between locations, with some campgrounds requiring visitors to bring their own supply. Reservation policies differ across the region, with popular locations like Hickory Grove allowing online reservations for approximately half their sites while keeping others available for first-come, first-served campers. Road access generally remains good throughout the camping season, with most sites accessible via paved or well-maintained gravel roads.
Central Iowa campgrounds receive praise for their natural settings and recreational opportunities. Fishing and paddling options draw visitors to several locations, with Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt especially noted for its paddling routes. "This is a nice place to go hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing," reported one visitor about Colfax Quarry Springs Park. Many campgrounds in this region provide ample shade, with mature trees creating secluded camping environments even at more developed sites. Proximity to amenities varies, with some locations offering on-site markets while others require campers to bring all supplies. Noise levels depend on location, with several reviewers noting the quiet atmosphere at smaller campgrounds, though occasional ambient noise from nearby roads affects some camping areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful, with multiple trails and observation areas available at locations like Ashton Wildwood Park.
"Next to skunk river oxbows, kayak, no swimming, water stagnant, no fish, about 4ft depth everywhere. Great hiking trails, clean, great camp hosts, ranger. All sites first come."
"We haven't camped here, but have seen that the tent areas are right next to the water. Super serene with great hiking trails and bird watching!"
"Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious. It's only $7/night! There is some play equipment for children. "
"There are a couple of hiking trails in the park that are maintained. One goes to a creek and a bird watching station."
from $7 / night
Check Availability"Lots of trees for shade but the lake has trails and a swimming beach with watercraft rentals. Truly a hidden gem in central Iowa!"
"Got to the campground around 6pm on a Friday and no one was at the primitive campground which was nice. The picnic table and fire ring were clean and in good condition."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"A couple minor complaints that I developed would be that it is right next to the golf course so there is a lot of near by traffic, and people like to cruise on motorcycles and drive muscle cars through"
"Iowa county parks are amazing. They pour money into them and it really shows. Clean, I mean immaculate. Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Has a cute pond and is adjacent to a bike and running trail. The main lodge has very clean restrooms and showers with hot water! Recommended"
"There is also a very nice bike trail right outside the park."
from $35 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available."
"The drive into the grounds was a little confusing, but I imagine that in the daylight we would have had an easier time."
"The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."
"Lots of prairie area around, spacious sites. Varying levels of shade. A25, had a good amount of shade and was near the nice playground and nice bathrooms. No view of the lake from loop A."
from $20 - $336 / night
Check Availability"Quick and easy off/on road location. Was their first year. This is a new RV Park that was once a quarry. Hence the name. Big lakes and good areas to walk."
"They have porta potties around. Two places to launch kayaks. Most campsites have fire rings, picnic tables and trash bins. Some have grills."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there."
"One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."
from $18 - $38 / night
Check Availability
ScoutGreat spot in the woods. Lots of trails. They have a bison and elk sanctuary. Also a nature center. A playground. They have several RV spots. Most are pre book but they have a section for first come first serve. Also lots of tent camping. A few group camping areas. Showers are ok. I believe the non shower house bathrooms are all vault toilets. Overall a great place to stay!
ScoutThey show tent camping reservations allowed online and they even let you book a tent to Camp online for paying $32 but then when they come around and talk to you they don't say anything about not having a tent allowed and they don't give you the codes to the restroom and then they just close the office and go to bed and then at 11:00 at night the sheriff comes and tells you to grab all your stuff because there's no camping allowed and put you out on the street with nowhere to go and no more money cuz you wasted all your money on that stupid site that you didn't even get to stay at and then you realize that after you carried all your stuff over to the bar and had to sleep outside on the streets with your service dog when you have disabilities and you told them you have seizures that you had a seizure and now you have to go to the hospital and you lost your tent because somebody stole it so now you have nowhere to live because you're homeless and somebody stole your only house which was your tent because the sheriff kicked you out at 10:00 or 11:00 at night that was really great thanks that was the best experience in my whole life not really and thanks for putting my stress level so high that I went to seizures when people have disabilities you guys should be more accommodating and be more open and honest and be more willing to talk to people
GuideThis is a day use conservation only area. No camping is currently allowed.
There is a nice accessible vault toilets, play ground, and it has the Iowa River passing through it. There is also a very nice community building at the property.
GuideThis little camp ground is part of the Iowa River Trail system. There is a good sized parking / turn around area. It was well kept and it costs about $10 a night and is in Hardin County.
The gravel road is fairly busy, but it could just be due to planting season starting. There were quite a few annoying gnats / mosquito's. There is a ramp for access, but it is dirt and gravel, so not something you can back a boat down in there easily.
I spent a night here and it was a pleasant experience, other than the flying bug annoyances.
GuideArrived at Reece Memorial Park in the early afternoon. I stopped by the Octagonal shelter at the south entrance of the park. This is a large shelter house with a fireplace in the middle of the building with several picnic tables.
I then drove down the road and entered into the west entrance of the park and followed it around the loop. There is a wide open area with a small slide and Merry-go-round, along with a couple of picnic tables.
I found, what I think, the best campsite in the park, and it was open. It sits along the creek and there was a fire ring there. This park is all primitive campsites, and so be prepared for that, although the description of the campground mentions vault toilets, I did not see them.
It was a very nice relaxing campsite, and the fact that there was no cell service, made it even better! There were a few vehicles drive through, and a little road noise, but I enjoyed my stay there. The creek was up, and it looks like part of the park might still be closed on the South side.
To primitive camp, the cost is $10.00 a night, and registration is with a QR Code, but since there is little to no cell service, it was difficult to get registered, so you may want to pay before you go.
GuideEverything is the same as reported in previous reviews. Good facilities and low price. Easy in and out.
GuideI took my mother and my youngest on a Mother’s Day weekend camping adventure. We chose Briggs Woods because of its location and reviews from other campers. It is a larger campground than you think! Spots for primitive tent camping, electrical hook up and full hook ups. The campground offers free WiFi and it reached clear to the back end over by the four little cabins. The pit toilets by the four little cabins were clean and stocked. My daughter was able to walk her little dog around the campground with no issues of other dogs running loose. Quiet hours begin at 10:30 pm and everyone followed the rule. I also like how close to the river this campground is. We stayed in electrical spots in the #60s. I like how you can scan the QR code and pay right there from your phone. Very convenient! The camp hosts were friendly and would often cruise by in their golf cart checking on campers.
TravelerPark was pretty full, but they found us a spot for the night. Excellent pricing and the yards are BIG compared to other places we've stayed. Would definitely come back
TravelerGreat, convenient campground at a very reasonable price $15 if you pay cash or $19 when paying via the QR code at each site. The location is sitting right along the river where I saw several people fishing. There’s also a small playground, which is a nice touch for families.
I stayed at a 30-amp electric-only site, so no water hookups or dump station, but there is a dumpster available for trash. Overall, it’s a simple, safe, well-maintained spot that offers good value, and I would definitely stay here again.
Central Iowa's camping sites near Collins offer diverse experiences across Story and Jasper counties, with elevations ranging from 850-950 feet above sea level. The region features a mix of prairie ecosystems and wooded river valleys where camping season typically spans April through November. Most campgrounds maintain gravel access roads that remain passable except during heavy spring rains.
Kayaking at Chichaqua Bottoms: This conservation area provides multiple paddling routes with access points for boats. One visitor described it as having "winding, quite, green waterways" and noted it's "a relatively obscure place with little amount of crowds on any weekend." Another reviewer added it "reminds me of a lazy river" with both electrical and primitive camping options.
Astronomy observation: Ashton Wildwood Park features an observatory that's open on Saturdays except the first Saturday each month. A camper shared that "the observatory that's open on Saturday's was awesome and the astronomers were great people and very knowledgeable. They showed how their telescopes worked and took us a tour of the building and classroom."
Orienteering trails: Several parks offer marked courses for beginners and experienced navigators. At Ashton Wildwood, "There is also a orienteering course but you have to walk in the woods to finish it," according to one visitor. These courses provide educational recreation opportunities beyond standard hiking.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer larger-than-average sites. At Ashton Wildwood Park, "Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious. It's only $7/night!" Another camper confirmed the park has "some very nice spots and wasn't busy at all."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt receives praise for its bird watching areas. One reviewer mentioned "There are plenty of trails to hike and some really nice views of the prairies," while another called it a "hidden gem just outside of Des Moines" with "nice, well-marked trails."
Fishing access: Multiple quarries and lakes offer fishing opportunities. At Colfax Quarry Springs Park, a visitor noted it's "the best place for largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish." Another camper confirmed they "had a nice access spot for fishing" and found the "campsite right on the water."
Reservation requirements: Many popular locations require advance planning. At Prairie Flower Recreation Area, "reservations are a must! Most times you need to make them six months out." The campground is described as "fairly quiet" with "younger families mixed with older adults."
Water access varies: Not all campgrounds provide water hookups or potable water on site. One camper at Ashton Wildwood noted "The bathroom at the campground doesn't have plumbing and no water available so make sure to bring plenty of water." However, they added that at the observatory there are "bathrooms with plumbing."
Seasonal closures: Some parks close during winter months. A Chichaqua Bottoms visitor reported "Drove 6 hours to find out the campground is closed (apparently for all of fall and winter) without any awareness of that being the case online." Always check official websites for current operating dates before traveling.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. Thomas Mitchell County Park features "a fishing lake, playground, sand volleyball, and hiking." One reviewer noted it has "electric and non electric sites available" with "a creek that flows behind the sites with large stairs to get down to it. Kids were having a blast in the water."
Creek exploration: Water features provide natural play areas at several locations. Thomas Mitchell Park has "lots of small trails" where "you can take a trail from the campsite to" a fishing pond. Another reviewer mentioned "It's very peaceful but we also camp Sun-Wed when there isn't a ton of people."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates. Ashton Wildwood costs just $7 per night with "play equipment for children." A regular visitor notes "I love to take my grand daughter here for overnight camping. Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious."
Concrete pads: Griffs Valley View RV Park features "spacious concrete pads" with full hookups. A long-term camper described it as having "both 30/50 amp and full water/sewage hookups. Two nice laundry/shower houses, one in the front and one in the back of the campground."
Dump station access: Plan your departure timing carefully at busy campgrounds. At Prairie Flower Recreation Area, "there's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait." Consider dumping tanks midweek or very early Sunday morning to avoid delays.
Winter camping options: Some RV parks offer year-round access. Griffs Valley View was described by one visitor as "likely the nicest rv park I have seen" and "they are very good at keeping snow and ice under control" for winter camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Collins camping sites?
Collins area camping sites offer diverse amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Thomas Mitchell County Park provides both electric and non-electric sites, with some campsites featuring a creek flowing behind them. North Overlook Camp offers heavily shaded sites with direct access to a large beach on Lake Red Rock, complete with shower houses and concessions. Many campgrounds in the region include restrooms, picnic areas, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities. Some parks also feature playgrounds, swimming areas, and nearby convenience stores for essential supplies.
Where is Collins Lake camping located?
Collins camping options are located throughout central Iowa. Diamond Lake County Park is situated about 20 minutes south of Interstate 80 near Montezuma, accessible via Road #63. Another excellent option is Briggs Woods Park, which is located close to Webster City, Iowa. These parks offer beautiful natural settings with various camping opportunities for visitors looking to explore Iowa's outdoor recreation areas.
How much does it cost to camp at Collins?
Camping costs in the Collins area vary by location and amenities. At Timmons Grove County Park, all campsites are $18 per night with electric hookups. Little Wall Lake County Park offers clean facilities at reasonable rates. Many Iowa county parks maintain affordable pricing, with electric sites typically ranging from $15-25 per night and non-electric sites slightly less expensive. Some parks offer both reservable sites and walk-up availability. Check with specific campgrounds for current pricing and reservation policies.
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