The Davis City area offers direct access to multiple campgrounds across Marion, Warren, and Madison counties. Located in the undulating prairie landscape of southwest Iowa, campsites generally sit between 900-1,100 feet in elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during camping season. Winter yurt camping options remain available with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Trail exploration: 8-mile network at Lake of Three Fires State Park connects all main amenities and provides multiple access points to the lake. According to one visitor, "There are beautiful views of the Lake from the far side where you can see clear across to the campgrounds."
Frisbee golf course: full 18 holes available for campers of all skill levels. A reviewer noted, "The park has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing."
Water activities: fishing jetties provide accessible spots for anglers. "There are plenty of fish to be caught including bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish," reports a regular visitor. The lake is no-wake, making it perfect for paddling.
Historical exploration: covered bridges are accessible from Winterset City Park. "There is a dog park and one of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground," mentions one camper who found the location convenient.
What campers like
Quiet evening atmosphere: Most campgrounds enforce a 10:30 pm noise curfew. At Green Valley State Park, a camper observed it "gets very quiet at 10:30 curfew."
Family-friendly facilities: Modern bathrooms provide essential comfort for family trips. "The cabins and yurts are well maintained with clean, modern bathroom facilities nearby," reports a frequent visitor to Lake of Three Fires.
Site spacing: Many campsites offer adequate separation for privacy. According to a visitor at Pammel County Park, "The concrete pads were awesome for leveling our popups, the sites were VERY clean."
Cooking amenities: Fire pits typically include cooking grates. "All fire pits have an incredible grate system for cooking," noted a Lake of Three Fires tent camper.
What you should know
Yurt reservations: book early for yurt accommodations at Lake of Three Fires State Park. "The yurts blend with the natural environment while providing modern comforts, but fill quickly during peak season," explains a regular visitor.
Limited connectivity: cell service varies across campgrounds. One camper at Lakeside Casino RV Park reported, "RV park is relatively quiet and easy to get into. The cable didn't work, but electric and water had no issues."
Seasonal closures: most campgrounds close between November and April except for Lake of Three Fires yurts which remain open year-round.
Supply planning: Bedford (7 miles) from Lake of Three Fires offers basic supplies. "Bedford is only a few miles away so you can run into the local Hy-Vee for Groceries or stop by Dollar General if you forgot something," mentions a regular camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: sandy swimming areas provide safe recreation at Green Valley State Park. A visitor reported, "The beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon."
Playground equipment: multiple locations available at most campgrounds. At Lake Ahquabi State Park, "They have a beautiful lake and a beach. The water has minimal seaweed and great temperature! They have rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price!"
Fire safety: gather wood early since some locations don't sell firewood onsite. A camper at Lake of Three Fires mentioned, "Firewood is not sold on the campground, so you can burn what's on the ground or head to Hyvee for some wood in town."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: deer frequent most campgrounds. "There are lots of deer in the area at all hours of the day," notes a Lake of Three Fires visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: extension cords needed at some sites. A visitor to Pammel Park noted, "The electric I had to use a 30 ft extension cord."
Level pads: concrete available at certain campgrounds. One RVer at Island View Campground shared, "Campsites were spaced well apart with plenty of room on pad around campsites, cell service was four bars and air tv 30 channels."
Water access: distances vary significantly between sites and water hookups. A Pammel Park visitor reported, "There are water hook ups, I just had to use 75 feet of hose to get to it."
Height restrictions: tunnel access limits larger vehicles at Pammel Park. A reviewer advised, "If you are over 12 ft, have to come in the back way."
