Campgrounds near Conesville, Iowa sit within the eastern Iowa corn belt at 610 feet elevation where the rolling landscape transitions between the Mississippi River watershed and inland agricultural plains. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with occasional rainfall. The region features a mix of riverfront and wooded camping areas where RVers can typically access sites from April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Shady Creek in Muscatine, anglers can catch various Mississippi River species. "Nice location to spend time fishing, watching sunsets, and paddle. Near Wild Cat Den State Park," notes reviewer James M. The campground offers river access with electric hookup sites.
Visit Amana Colonies: Amana RV Park & Event Center provides an excellent base for exploring this historic area. "We used our bikes and biked around the colonies. Place was clean, showers and bathroom great. We were there after Labor Day and had section to our selves," reports Carol J. The colonies feature German heritage sites within a 30-minute walk of the campground.
River paddling: Ferry Landing on the Mississippi River offers primitive camping with paddling access. "Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests," states James M. in his review. This spot provides access to Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge upstream.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Shady Creek campers appreciate the Mississippi River views. "Site #12 with electric hookup was in my opinion the best site. Right on the back of the mighty Mississippi. Very clean friendly stay," according to Donna T. The campground features electric sites with concrete pads.
Swimming pools: Little Bear Campground provides swimming options during hot summer months. "This was a great campground very clean all around, very nice pool..wish I could for a month. But they don't allow monthly stays," writes Jim C. The pool operates during summer months at this family-friendly campground.
Level sites: Crossroads RV Park offers well-maintained, level camping spots. "Easy access and amazingly quite dispute the road nearby. Clean and new facilities," says Craig H. The park provides year-round accessibility with pull-through sites.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring rainfall can affect gravel campgrounds. At Amana RV Park & Event Center, one camper noted, "Only minus is that most roads are gravel and if it rains alot, there are puddles everywhere and it is pretty soft coming in and out of sites."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer. At Shady Creek, Kimberly W. advises, "make your reservations as early as you can the spots go quick! The campground even has a military spot!"
Train noise: Several rv campgrounds near Conesville, Iowa experience railroad noise. At Crossroads RV Park, one reviewer warned, "Nice spot for an overnight stay. The site was a full hookup- electric, water and sewer. I wouldn't stay longer than an overnight. The sites were close together and very close to a train track."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Little Bear Campground offers family-friendly swimming. "Just off I-80 this was a clean, large, level, grassy tents sites. Gas station right next door. Owner was very friendly and helpful," reports Julie J. The campground charges $22/night for tent sites and $33/night for RV sites.
Playground options: Cedar River Campground includes children's play areas. "This was a nice spot for an overnight stay. They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids," notes Jackie J. The campground includes both seasonal and transient camping options.
Holiday activities: Shady Creek offers holiday weekend camping with entertainment. "We lucked out and got a last min campsite for 4th of July weekend... We could see multiple fire works shows if we walked around the campground with the neighbors across the street putting on a pretty great 'amateur' show," shares Stephanie D.
Tips from RVers
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies at rv campgrounds in Conesville, Iowa area. At Shady Creek, Barbara P. reports, "Cell service was poor for T Mobile," while at Cedar River Campground, seasonal campers use better reception for longer stays.
Water connections: Shared water spigots can require planning. At Shady Creek, Gary P. notes, "Electric was 30/50 at each site and water was dispersed through out the park, but often too far for a hose to reach." Experienced RVers recommend carrying extra hose lengths when camping here.
Dump station access: Most Conesville area campgrounds provide dump stations, but individual site hookups vary. At Little Bear Campground, Alan B. appreciates the "full hook up and pull through site $33.00," making it a convenient overnight stop when traveling through the region.
