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Best Campgrounds near Collins, IA

510 Reviews

Campgrounds near Collins, Iowa range from small, wooded retreats to larger recreation areas with lakeside access. 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 camping options include developed county parks and RV-friendly locations, with several campgrounds 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 enhance the camping experience, with multiple trails and observation areas available at locations like Ashton Wildwood Park.

Map showing campgrounds near Collins, IowaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Collins, Iowa (103)

    1. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

    9 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    10 miles
    Website

    "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!"

    2. Ashton Wildwood Park

    5 Reviews
    Mingo, IA
    6 miles
    Website

    $7 / night

    "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."

    3. Hickory Grove Campground

    5 Reviews
    Collins, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 232-2516

    $17 / night

    "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."

    4. Jester County Park

    30 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 323-5300

    $20 - $25 / night

    "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."

    5. Thomas Mitchell County Park

    11 Reviews
    Mitchellville, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 967-4889

    "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."

    6. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    19 miles
    Website

    $35 - $90 / night

    "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."

    7. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 984-6925

    $20 - $336 / night

    "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."

    8. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 432-1852

    $12 - $25 / night

    "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."

    9. Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    4 Reviews
    Mingo, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 478-6272

    $15 / night

    "They have porta potties around. Two places to launch kayaks. Most campsites have fire rings, picnic tables and trash bins. Some have grills."

    10. Twin Anchors Campground

    2 Reviews
    Collins, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 377-2243
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Recent Camping Photos near Collins, IA

78 Photos of 103 Collins Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Collins, IA

510 Reviews of 103 Collins Campgrounds

  • Gillian L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Adventureland Campground

    Nice site

    After some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us. Pull through paved 50 amp sites, with water and sewage. Picnic table for use. Within view of Adventureland so it was cool to see the rides lit up at night as we parked. Clean park. Will definitely stop by again when we aren’t just passing through!

  • Kent W.
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Howell Station

    One of our favorites

    This is a really nice campground. It’s run by friendly, helpful people. It’s well maintained, the bathrooms are clean, you’re not packed together like sardines, there’s a nice bike/walking trail around the park and (at least when we’ve visited) bald eagles, blue herons and pelicans line the river. It’s just a little over an hour from us so it’s easy to get to.

    We’re trying parks all over Iowa and Howell has been one of our favorites.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Campground Diamond In The Rough

    Following up on my review from over a year and a half ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this county park campground gem in a very rural part of Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) EZ access and just a 20 minute / 9 mile drive due south from I-80 via Exit 201; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (4) The RV area looks to be brand spanking-new and offers very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas as well as most have an excellent view of Lake Diamond; (5) The hiking trails and bountiful fishing spots make this a simply wonderful campground; (6) Incredibly simple honor system to accessing any site on a first-come, first-served basis – simply stick your money in an envelope and pick out whatever location suits you; (7) While basic, the bathhouses were in pretty good condition and very clean; (8) Kid’s playground is fantastic and nearly brand new; (9) Reasonably priced bundles of pre-cut firewood; and (10) Overall the overnight price to stay here, whether RV or tent-camping is very cheap, so great value for $

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic in here, although you are so far out in the boondocks, it’s not really much of a concern; (2) The newly minted RV area slopes down to the lake, but as you park perpendicular, it shouldn’t be an issue; (3) Also, because the RV area is new, there’s no trees or brush, which creates a lack of privacy between sites; (4) Nearly all of the RV slots – save the few that are right next to the lake - have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings, at least in the tent camping areas, are worn-out and in pretty poor condition and should be replaced or refurbished; (7) The water in Lake Diamond is quite dark and murky, so unless you are an adventurous soul, I don’t recommend swimming here

    Happy Camping!

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Eagle City County Park

    Could be lovely but creeped me out

    Liked the spot by the lake and we could have been the only ones there but we noticed a few things on the way to the site that was unsettling and then we were followed in by a truck that just went to the end of the loop then left, with the driver and passenger obviously not wanting to be seen. Weirded me out so we left. Felt unsafe.

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • Bethanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Sportsman Park

    Sportsman Park

    Dawson is such a cute little park. I rented a primitive tent site for two nights and it was $20. The self-registration was super simple!

    They say there’s a live-in park employee. I never met him/her, which was a bummer. Theres two cabins, ten electric sights and five primitive, a shelter, a playground with slides and swings, and a bigger building you can reserve. I clocked four water spouts.

    The place was well maintained, people were polite, modern restrooms and showers. Everything was handicap accessible. You can tell the employees put a lot of care into their work. So glad I was able to stay here.

Guide to Collins

Camping near Collins, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Ledges State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Rock Creek State Park Campground. A camper shared, "Clean, level sites, close to fishing, it was fun watching the water come through the dam."
  • Biking: Check out the nearby trails, like the High Trestle Trail, which is great for biking. One reviewer noted, "There are lots of cute bars to stop in along the way," making it a fun ride.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at places like Prairie Flower Recreation Area. A visitor said, "Fantastically clean & well maintained facilities."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the large sites at Cherry Glen Campground. One camper remarked, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the welcoming atmosphere. At Bob Shelter Recreation Area, a reviewer stated, "Friendly hosts & Rangers."

What you should know:

  • Cell Service: If you rely on your phone, be aware that some campgrounds have poor reception. A visitor at Ledges State Park Campground noted, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected."
  • Busy Seasons: Expect crowds during peak summer months. One camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground area is clean... but the RV section of campground was nearly full."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Walnut Woods State Park Campground, may not have showers or markets nearby. A reviewer pointed out, "It is a very small camp but all sites have a concrete slab."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. Jester County Park has a playground, and one parent said, "Showers are hot every time; it’s a wonderful place to be."
  • Nature Activities: Encourage kids to explore nature. At Swede Point Park, a camper noted, "Great place to stay... right off the river."
  • Safety: Keep an eye on your belongings. A visitor at Yellow Banks County Park warned, "Other campers warned us not to leave anything out at night because teenagers come through sometimes looking for stuff to steal."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Choose campgrounds with level sites for easier setup. A reviewer at Timberline Campground mentioned, "The pull-throughs near the front are level, gravel pads with grass all around."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds that offer electric hookups. At Cherry Glen Campground, one camper said, "The whole area around Saylorville Lake has camping."
  • Dump Stations: Make sure the campground has a dump station. A visitor at Bob Shelter Recreation Area noted, "Dump station and water fill in the back."

Camping near Collins, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking comfort.

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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