Camping options near Donnellson, Iowa include both state parks and privately-owned RV parks within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring hot summers and cold winters. Most campsites in the region remain open from April through November, with limited winter camping options available at select locations like Geode State Park.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Indian Lake Park offers a clean lake suitable for fishing, swimming, and kayaking. "The lake is clean they also have a dump station," notes Mary F., who visits multiple times annually. The park provides canoe rentals for those without their own watercraft.
Hiking trails: Geode State Park Campground features newly refurbished trails around the lake. Douglas P. mentions, "The trail system around the lake is in pretty good shape and makes for some great mountain biking." These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty.
Historic exploration: Nauvoo State Park Campground sits near historic sites. As Gretchen F. points out, "Right across the street from the historic sites, if you're up for it it's just a little further to walk to main street." The park provides a convenient base for exploring local history.
River watching: Ferry Landing offers unique views where the Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet. James M. describes it as "Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Crossroads RV Park receives consistent praise for maintenance. Pat M. states, "Good clean campground. Easy access. Very clean bathrooms and showers." This makes it a reliable stop for travelers seeking rv sites near Donnellson, Iowa.
Quiet atmosphere: Multiple campgrounds offer peaceful settings away from urban noise. Dave N. describes Indian Lake Park: "Most of the sites are nice and shady and level. Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends."
Affordable rates: Camping costs remain reasonable throughout the area. At Nauvoo State Park, Jill notes, "$10 a night for primitive camping, $20 a night for electric and water hookups." Most parks maintain similar pricing structures for different site types.
Shade coverage: Updog RV & Camping provides tree cover for hot summer days. Joe M. appreciates that there are "Lots of trees for great shade in these hot days." This natural feature helps moderate temperatures at campsites during summer months.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Water systems typically shut down during colder months. Stuart O. reports from Nauvoo State Park: "We stayed in mid-November when a lot of places are closed. They had electricity and the dump station was operating, but the water hookups were shut off."
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railroad disturbances. John C. warns about Crossroads RV Park: "The issue is NOISE!! Constant train traffic all night! Horns blaring! The tracks are less than 1/4-mile away."
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality throughout the region. At Nauvoo State Park, Stuart O. notes, "The roads are very narrow and in need of repair." This can create challenges for larger vehicles.
Bathroom availability: Driftwood Campground & RV Park maintains exceptionally clean facilities. Art Z. reports, "The showers and restroom were impressively clean. The hosts could not have made me feel more welcome." However, other parks have more basic options or limited facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Indian Lake Park offers multiple play areas. Mary F. mentions, "it has full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes, playgrounds also cabins a stone lodge for family get togethers." These amenities keep children entertained.
Beach activities: Several parks feature swimming areas during summer months. Jeannie B. describes Geode State Park: "Really nice fire pits with attached grill. There is a lake here too. Lots of boats. Beach is closed but the water looked pretty gross."
Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort than tent camping, Indian Lake Park provides cabin rentals. Dave N. confirms, "This park has something for everyone. They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent."
Space considerations: Site spacing varies between parks. Teresa M. describes Updog RV & Camping as a "Small, family campground with lots of shade and small pond!" while Kevin B. warns, "I had EXACTLY 1 foot left on each side of my slides."
Tips from RVers
Maneuvering challenges: Some parks have tight turns or narrow roads. James D. notes about Nauvoo State Park: "It is along the Mississippi River so its hard not to like a place with that type of water feature!" but also mentions limited space.
Concrete pads: Driftwood Campground offers stable parking surfaces. Joey S. appreciates the "Clean facilities, full hookup sites with concrete pads." This feature helps with leveling and stability for rv sites near Donnellson, Iowa.
Hookup variations: Different parks offer various connection options. At Geode State Park, Douglas P. mentions, "Recent upgrades to campground include some full hookup sites and new shower house." These improvements enhance the camping experience for RV owners.
Campsite spacing: Site dimensions vary significantly between parks. Melissa A. describes Crossroads RV Park: "This was a 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."
