The Coon Rapids area contains several campgrounds at elevations between 900-1,100 feet, nestled in the gently rolling hills of west-central Iowa. The region receives average annual rainfall of 35 inches, creating lush wooded areas around its lakes and rivers. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October when temperatures typically range from 45°F to 85°F.
What to do
Hiking trails: Swan Lake State Park Campground offers a 3-mile paved trail circling the lake, ideal for various ability levels. "Beautiful park! Great trail all the way around the lake, we took a bike ride around it was about 3 ish miles," reports Shane T. The trail provides multiple fishing access points along its route.
Roller skating experience: Spring Lake County Park features a unique attraction not commonly found at campgrounds. "Awesome open air roller skating rink and nightly grilling parties at the beach," shares Jodi H. This distinctive recreation option operates weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day with affordable admission prices.
Disc golf course: Both Swan Lake State Park Campground and Spring Lake County Park offer disc golf courses. "Tented camped in late October, the weekend before closing. Beautiful park with playgrounds, swim beach, fisbee golf, paved trail, many fishing bars, and more," notes RN P. The courses accommodate beginners and experienced players.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Direct lakefront camping spots are highly valued at Spring Lake. "The best waterfront camping we have found near us. Small friendly community of camping. Door to door ice and concession delivery," writes Jodi H. These premium sites allow campers to fish directly from their campsite.
Quality of bathrooms: Facilities at Sportsman Park receive positive mentions for cleanliness. "Modern restrooms and showers. Everything was handicap accessible. You can tell the employees put a lot of care into their work," reports Bethanie S. The park charges just $8 for primitive tent sites and $12 for electric sites.
Seasonal activities: Beyond standard camping amenities, many sites offer unique seasonal programming. "We loved our stay here! Beautiful campground and well maintained. Unfortunately the skate arena was closed for the season. Lots of trails to choose from and spacious campsites," notes Chelsea G. about Spring Lake County Park.
What you should know
Tent-specific considerations: Not all campgrounds cater equally to tent campers. "This state park camp site close to Carroll, Iowa was nice, but we were the only tent campers there, it seemed more like a permanent RV home site," explains Deborah C. about Swan Lake. Sites with designated tent areas provide better experiences for non-RV campers.
Reservation requirements: Lake Anita State Park Campground operates with different reservation policies than other nearby parks. "Full hookup and tent campsites are plentiful with or without reservations," reports E H. Check each park's specific requirements before arrival as they vary significantly.
Seasonal closures: Operating dates differ between parks. Swan Lake typically closes October 31 while Spring Lake remains open year-round. Lake Anita operates April 1 through December 31. Always verify current operating schedules before planning trips outside summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer family-friendly playgrounds. At Casey City Park, "It had a magnificent playground. My kids had been cooped up for two days and needed to run off some pent up energy and this was perfect. A few neighborhood kids joined them and they had a blast," shares Melissa K.
Swimming options: Jester County Park provides water recreation suitable for families. "So quiet and peaceful down by the water. Beautiful scenery, great playground, friendly atmosphere," reports Brenda M. The park maintains designated swimming areas with appropriate safety measures.
Budget-friendly activities: Most area campgrounds maintain affordable pricing for families. "Swiming, fishing, and skating?? Awesome campground with lots to do!" mentions Emily about Spring Lake Park. Daily activity fees remain low, with many amenities included in camping fees.
Tips from RVers
Campsite spacing: RVers note varying site layouts across local campgrounds. At Lake Anita State Park Campground, "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!" cautions Deb W.
Electric hookup options: Different parks offer varying levels of electric service. Lake Anita provides both 50-amp and 30-amp hookups, while smaller parks like Casey City Park offer more limited electrical options. "Campground is right off the interstate in the small town of Casey Iowa. The campground is clean and perfect for someone with a camper or an RV," notes Matt S.
Self-registration protocols: For late arrivals, some parks offer convenient self-registration. "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!" explains Bethanie S. about Sportsman Park. This feature allows flexibility for RVers arriving outside standard check-in times.
