The rural town of Coon Rapids connects campers to several good Iowa campgrounds, with options ranging from developed RV sites to quieter primitive spots. Ledges State Park Campground has nice trails that wind through wooded hills and sandstone formations. Many fishermen head to Lake Anita State Park Campground, where the 171-acre lake holds plenty of bass and bluegill. Cherry Glen Campground works well for bigger groups since the sites aren't packed too closely together. Just know that some of the smaller campgrounds in the area don't have showers, though they're usually quieter and less crowded. Most locals will tell you spring and fall are the best times to camp near Coon Rapids when temperatures are comfortable for hiking and fishing. Summer weekends fill up fast, particularly at Ledges which books up weeks in advance. Winter camping is doable but you'll need serious cold-weather gear. Keep your food locked up since deer and raccoons regularly visit campsites in this part of Iowa. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars as hawks, woodpeckers and waterfowl are common sights. Before heading out, check the DNR website since some areas close seasonally for maintenance. You'll find both secluded spots and more social campgrounds depending on what you're looking for. The Coon Rapids area serves both tent campers and RVers with a mix of basic and developed sites.
$14 - $200 / night
"Pros: Not a far drive from Des Moines, but still quite remote
-Lots of nice hiking trails
-Easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms
-The lake is a peaceful spot to spend the early mornings"
"You’ll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at."
"If there was a tent only location, I didn't see it. Those in campers that need water and electricity are regulated to gravel 'parking lot' sites."
"Great trail all the way around the lake, we took a bike ride around it was about 3 ish miles. Camp host was a gem. Bathrooms were very clean! Great view of the lake."
"Nice campground and staff, town close by if you need more supplies, we like it here!"
"Lots of space around your site. Fills up fast on weekends. Would recommend this park."
"Turn of century museum within walking distance. National golf course, par 3 golf course at nearby lake panorama is open to the public."
"Quaint campground situated alongside a dam. Fishing is legal and there were quite a few around while I was there. Besides me, there was one other camper. Three tent sites, the rest are for RVs."
$15 - $36 / night
"This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks."
"Beautiful lake, great walking trail, close to town and I-80, but quiet and peaceful. Can’t beat it for $11 a night."
$20 / night
"There are campsites along the lake with easy access to shoreline. There are approximately 100 sites. There is a playground and disc golf. There is a roller rink and a concession stand."
"Plenty of camping spaces, some right next to the lake. Swimming area, concession stand, boat rentals, and even a skating rink on the weekends. My favorite childhood camping spot."
"Overall you can’t beat it for the price and location if you’re passing through or just want a little downtime."
$6 - $15 / night
"Based on other reviews we weren’t expecting much, but this spot is perfect for getting a good night’s rest when passing through Iowa."
"Park was clean and close to highway. Husband said bathrooms were clean enough. Didn't use the showers. Arrived around 10pm on a Tuesday and there were 3 spots left."
TravelerLake Anita State Park is beautiful! Large expanse of green in a hilly terrain. Sites are open but roomy and many new trees have been planted to eventually provide shade. Ranger came through periodically to check on all. People come to fish off the shoreline. Nice shower and bath house nearby. Huge storm came through last night!
TravelerThis location is on the east side of Jefferson on the old Lincoln highway at the Greene county fair grounds directly next to the Milwaukee trestle bike trail. It has both tent and RV camping spots. The RV is parallel parking with electric only. Black water dump site is at the waist water treatment plant by the public swimming pool on west Russell street on the south side of the street across from south walnut street entrance. The fairgrounds dose have horse and livestock amenities and events at times of the year with the Greene county fair and other events. It also has an agricultural museum and other events in the summer.
GuideWe stayed 1 night in our way to Utah. We got a nice spot right next to the river with a cemented area and a newer picnic area. Met the park ranger on our way in who was so thankful we picked there to stay. The Elf and Buffalo were fun to watch. Only downside was a train at 1 in the morning and no showers at the south campsite. Highly recommend this spot!!
ScoutLove this place. They have have the racks on their firepits for cooking!
GuideArrived on a Monday night, was quiet. We opted for the electric site. (Reserved ahead of time). The showers are clean!
ScoutCampsites flat and open with water view. Bathrooms were subpar and smells worse than pit toilets. This was a last resort booking as we weren’t finding places open with a shower due to time of year.
Owner was very friendly, but campground not worth the $32 per night charge.
LegendThe drive in from I-80 was easy, with plenty of signage leading to the campground. We made online reservations and went straight to our water and electric site( 50/30/20 amp), site 110. There was no formal check-in, other than park rangers posting your information at the site. The campground sites in this area are tiered, which didn’t leave much room to swing our 40’ fifth wheel for a back-in, but we managed. Site 110 had a nice, private yard and was not too far from the restrooms, although they were closed this time of year. There is a walking/biking trail around the lake, which we enjoyed while walking our dog, along with the lake view from our site. Overall, we enjoyed our two-night stay.
ScoutVery nice campground with running water,electricity and wifi. It's opened year round.
LegendLots of spots with water and electric and right on the lake. Very friendly staff. 20 bucks a night. They were winterizing it during my stay and came by to tell me the services still open.
Camping near Coon Rapids, Iowa offers access to Middle Raccoon River fishing and prairie landscapes typical of western Iowa's Guthrie and Carroll counties. The region sits around 1,200 feet above sea level with terrain characterized by rolling hills and river valleys. Late spring through early fall sees temperatures ranging from 50°F to 85°F, creating a moderate camping climate with occasional thunderstorms.
Biking around lakes: Spring Lake County Park features a 3-mile paved trail circling the entire lake. "Bike/hiking trail, disc golf, kayak/paddle boat rentals, swimming beach, historic roller skating rink, playgrounds and more-something for everyone to enjoy!" notes Kimberly M.
Fishing for specific catches: Swan Lake State Park Campground provides bank fishing opportunities with designated fishing bars. According to RN P., "I enjoyed the privacy of lake-front site J," which offers direct access to fishing spots.
Historical exploration: Take a short walk from Lenon Mill Park to discover local history. Ryan S. shares, "The Guthrie County Historical Village & Museum is a 5 minute walk away. It's not open evenings or weekends but there is interesting stuff to walk around and see even when closed. The railroad cars are very cool."
Disconnect completely: Springbrook State Park Campground offers true unplugged camping. Jesse P. mentions, "You'll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at." The park features multiple hiking trails through mature forests.
Lakeside privacy: At Spring Lake County Park, campsites directly border the water. Dave M. explains, "There are campsites along the lake with easy access to shoreline. There are approximately 100 sites." Another camper adds, "We were lucky and got a spot right along the lake. This park is peaceful."
Nature programs: Springbrook State Park offers wildlife encounters for families. Therese T. shared, "They had a little nature center which was closed but the nice lady opened it for my kids to go in and let them hold snakes and turtles! They were so excited!"
Spacious campsites: Littlefield Rec Area provides well-separated camping areas. Kelly noted, "Quiet, zero traffic noise. Campsites spread out over 4 campgrounds," making this location ideal for those seeking more personal space between sites.
Cell service limitations: Network coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. At Littlefield Recreation Area, Roger warns, "No cellular service available. I was able to get nominal service with an external antenna and booster."
Seasonal bathroom closures: Many campgrounds have limited facilities outside peak season. At Swan Lake State Park, Deborah C. noted, "The bathrooms while nice had no working showers, they had showers but no way to turn on the water."
Varying site layouts: Lake Anita campground has specific configuration challenges. Deb W. cautions, "Nice state park with all the amenities, but this State Park definitely needs to be updated to accommodate the bigger and wider campers. If you like to be on top of each other, this is your campground!"
Roller skating events: Lake Anita State Park Campground offers family entertainment beyond camping. Lee D. explains, "The best feature of this park, in my opinion, is the four-mile paved recreation trail that goes around the entire 171-acre lake. Good for walking, running, or biking."
Playgrounds and activities: Spring Lake County Park combines camping with family-friendly amenities. Jodi H. shares, "Awesome open air roller skating rink and nightly grilling parties at the beach." This creates a social atmosphere for families.
Wildlife interactions: Springbrook State Park provides educational opportunities. Megan M. describes, "Lots of nice hiking trails," though notes, "Other than hiking and a bit of swimming/fishing, there's not much to do."
Hookup challenges: At Adair City Park, power pedestal placement requires planning. Tracy J. advises, "Small town park with spots to back in and plug in. Cost is $20 you put in an envelope by the bathroom."
Overnight convenience: City parks provide easy access from Interstate 80. Allen B. suggests, "Be sure to have window shades as the spots are well lit. There is access to a public bathroom and shower. There is also a fair amount of road noise so have a pair of ear plugs if needed."
Dump station availability: Littlefield Recreation Area offers full hookups at select sites. Rod L. confirms, "First time here, this place is very nice & peaceful, beautiful lake, spacious sites power & water at sites, 15, 30 & 50 amp."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Coon Rapids, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Coon Rapids, IA is Springbrook State Park Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
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