Collins, Iowa sits at an elevation of 950 feet in Story County, with surrounding campgrounds positioned along the Des Moines River valley and several reservoirs. Winter camping options remain limited in this region, with temperatures often dropping below freezing from November through March. Most non-winterized facilities close by mid-October, though several year-round accommodations can be found within a 40-minute drive.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rock Creek State Park Campground offers excellent fishing for crappie and largemouth bass. "The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas and you can go over by the bridge and fish the rocks. It's a great place if you have a boat or kayak/canoe," notes one visitor who frequents the park.
Hiking trails: Multiple difficulty levels exist across various parks in the region. "Hiking trails wind through properties, offering opportunities to explore Iowa's natural landscape. There are a few miles of mowed trails along with a couple of trail through the woods up and down hills," according to a Swede Point visitor. Most trails range from 1-3 miles in length.
Astronomy sessions: Weekend stargazing programs run at Ashton Wildwood Park from April through October. "The observatory that's open on Saturday's (except the 1st Saturday) 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," reports one camper who visited with family.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Thomas Mitchell County Park features spacious creek-side camping spots. "The outer loop has a creek that flows behind the sites with large stairs to get down to it. Kids were having a blast in the water," writes a reviewer who stayed there with children. Sites average 30-40 feet apart.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive regular maintenance at most parks. A Ledges visitor mentioned, "There are some excellent views, so make sure your phone has enough battery to take photos. I also spent a lot of time off the trail. It isn't too hard to get around." Most shower facilities close for the season by October 15.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple species can be spotted from campsites. "Open areas, lots of small trails and fast fill up camping," wrote one Thomas Mitchell visitor about their wildlife viewing experience. Morning hours between 7-9am typically offer the best wildlife sightings.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Demand increases significantly from May through September. Jester County Park receives heavy weekend bookings. "Jester Park is our go-to camping destination in central Iowa! By far, this county park has a lot of fun activities and access points to the Saylorville waterway circuit," notes a frequent visitor. Most sites require booking 2-3 months ahead for summer weekends.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds offer potable water at every site. "Only two water connections for the camp," mentioned a Swede Point visitor, highlighting the need to plan accordingly. Many glamping options close to Collins, Iowa provide bottled water service.
Seasonal closures: Several parks operate on limited schedules. At Rock Creek State Park, "We visited one week before the water and modern bathrooms were ready, so that was challenging," reported a spring visitor. Most facilities reopen fully by April 15 each year.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature modern play equipment. "There is a sweet pond to fish in, several hiking trails, a brand new Nature Center, amphitheater, bison and bird viewing, and even cabins if you want to rent them," writes a visitor about Yellow Banks County Park.
Water activities: Creek access provides natural play areas. "Great place to go tent camping, very clean and quiet. Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat," notes a Yellow Banks visitor. Most water features remain accessible through September.
Camping education: Youth-focused programs operate seasonally. "It has lots to offer and the hosts are great. Our favorite time is in the Fall," mentioned a Thomas Mitchell camper about the educational opportunities. Programs typically run weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Timberline Campground offers full-service sites with reliable utilities. "Very pretty and clean. We got in pretty late, staff was awesome even showed us to our spot. The park looked nice, only thing some spots looked really close together," noted a recent visitor. Electric hookups range from 30-50 amps.
Level site selection: Several campgrounds feature terrain challenges. "Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking," shared a Timberline visitor, though they also mentioned that "the site we were on is sorta blacktop but the sides have crumbled." Many locations with luxury glamping options near Collins, Iowa provide the most level parking options.
Dump station access: Most parks provide this service at entrance points. "It's a nice place if you are looking for a quick little place to stay in your RV," reports a Kellogg RV Park visitor, highlighting the convenience of their facilities. Dump stations typically close for winter by November 1.
