Drakesville, Iowa camping sites sit at approximately 850 feet above sea level in the rolling countryside of Davis County. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, with a few offering year-round access despite Iowa's cold winters. Local lakes and reservoirs form the backbone of the outdoor recreation system, with Rathbun Lake being the largest body of water near Drakesville.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Rathbun near Island View Campground offers excellent crappie fishing for all skill levels. "I caught enough crappie for a nice dinner with some left over for breakfast the next morning," notes Mitch C. The lake includes multiple boat ramps for easy water access.
Hiking trails: The region features multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. At Waubonsie Trail Park, visitors can explore both standard and equestrian paths. "We hiked the equestrian trails one afternoon and the regular trails the next day," reports Joyce M., adding that the scenery is "very pretty."
Water activities: Beyond fishing, many parks offer boat rentals for families. "There are boat rentals available including paddle boats and canoes," explains a visitor to Lake Darling State Park. The concrete multi-use path along the lake provides easy shoreline access for those who prefer land-based activities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many Drakesville-area campsites offer good separation from neighbors. At Wallashuck Campground, "campsites are well spaced, some have good views of the lake," according to Tom. This allows for a better nature experience without feeling crowded.
Clean facilities: The region's campgrounds maintain their amenities well. Marion County Park gets high marks for its bath facilities, with one camper noting, "There is only one bath/shower house, but it is centrally located and not far no matter where you are." Similarly, at Keokuk County Belva Deer Park, Keith B. appreciated the "nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms."
Reasonable pricing: Glamping close to Drakesville, Iowa remains affordable compared to many regions. "All for under $20 for electric RV site," mentions Tracy J. about Waubonsie Trail Park. Keokuk County Belva Deer Park charges "$12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity remains spotty throughout the area, which may affect planning. One visitor to Lake Darling mentioned "limited cell signal" throughout the region, adding it "might be better that way."
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks for RVs and trailers. At Marion County Park, campers report: "The sites are somewhat unlevel so you'll likely need to block up tires. For our current site (site 58 with a 2.8 degree incline), we had to angle in a bit otherwise our auto leveling would throw an error."
Reservation timing: While some locations permit walk-ins, luxury glamping accommodations near Drakesville book quickly. "Book early they are usually booked up I am told," explains one Lake Darling visitor regarding the cabin rentals. However, for standard sites at Marion County, "it is almost always possible to get a walk up spot on the weekend even if you wait until Friday afternoon/evening."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several lakes feature sandy swimming areas ideal for children. At Indian Lake Park, Dave N. notes the park has "a lake with a nice sandy beach" along with "a playground, a few nice hiking trails" making it excellent for families with various interests.
Playground facilities: Most family-friendly campgrounds include play equipment. Marion County Park provides "a couple of parks onsite for kids—one with a zip line swing—plus a pond for fishing, areas to hike and bike," according to Adam. These amenities help keep children entertained.
Educational opportunities: Some locations offer historical exhibits for learning experiences. Marion County features "a historic village onsite that's open for tours on weekends during the summer," providing educational value alongside outdoor recreation.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Some glamping sites near Drakesville feature full hookups while others offer partial connections. At Eveland Access, amenities include electric, water, showers, and toilets for $20 per day according to Marie M. Meanwhile, Island View Campground provides electrical hookups with "plenty of room on pad around campsites," notes Steve W.
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer on-site dump stations, requiring planning for longer stays. Indian Lake Park includes a dump station according to Mary F., who explains they also offer "full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes, playgrounds also cabins."
Spacing between sites: RVers appreciate the generous site spacing at several area campgrounds. At The Catfish Place Campground, Amy W. found their spot "on beautiful pond" allowed them to "fish from our site," highlighting the benefit of thoughtfully arranged campgrounds in the region.
