Best RV Parks & Resorts near Drakesville, IA

Several RV parks serve the Drakesville area, with Honey Creek State Park Campground offering full hookups including 50-amp electrical service and water connections year-round. The park features spacious sites that accommodate larger rigs with paved parking pads. "If we parked in the direction to utilize the full hookups we would have had our awning out over our neighbors campsite," noted one visitor about the North Loop's central section. Updog RV & Camping in Mt Pleasant provides big-rig friendly sites with 50-amp hookups, water, and sewer connections from April through mid-November. Ottumwa City Park, located 30 miles northwest of Drakesville, maintains electric sites for RVs with picnic tables and trash service, though some campers report traffic noise due to its in-town location.

Many parks in the region require advance reservations during summer weekends and holiday periods. Indian Hills RV Park offers year-round accessibility with full hookup sites including 50-amp service, though reviews indicate limited amenities compared to other options. Dump stations are available at most parks, with Honey Creek, Ottumwa City Park and Updog all providing sanitary dump facilities. Pet policies vary between properties, with most allowing pets on leash. One camper mentioned that "traffic flies through the campground to the boat ramp" at Honey Creek Resort's RV area, suggesting caution with children. Cell service throughout the region tends to be reliable near towns but may weaken in more remote locations around Rathbun Lake. Most parks within 40 miles of Drakesville accommodate pull-through access for larger motorhomes and fifth wheels, though corner sites typically offer more space for slide-outs.

Best RV Sites Near Drakesville, Iowa (63)

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RV Park Reviews near Drakesville, IA

129 Reviews of 63 Drakesville Campgrounds


  • Renee H.
    May. 7, 2024

    Howell Station

    Large spacious campground

    Well maintained campground with mature shade trees. Gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required. Poor Verizon cell signal, no internet signal. Not much natural privacy between sites, but sites were well spaced apart. Paved trail nice for biking and walking. Fishing nearby and the Dutch themed town of Pella is a short drive and a must see. Bathrooms and showers were nice, clean. Handicap camp site and bathhouse available. Firewood for sale at front gate. The potable water available at the dump station was clear and good for drinking. Dump station is easily accessible. Dumpsters were positioned around the campground. Staff was friendly. The night we stayed, there was a severe weather threat, and the staff, at the end of the night, had unlocked the storm shelters (utility area in the middle of the bathhouses) should the need arise. We ended up having to seek shelter because of a tornado warning.

  • Mary F.
    Jul. 16, 2018

    Indian Lake Park

    very nice

    it has full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes,and f, playgrounds also cabins a stone lodge for family get togethers some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full hookups also a shower house and modern restrooms, fire wood for sale We go at least 3 times a year . So nice and quiet the lake is clean they also have a dump station

  • Douglas P.
    Mar. 12, 2020

    Lake Darling State Park Campground

    Lake Darling Campground

    Our family has been camping at Lake Darling for the past couple of years. We very much like the campground and the lake area. Opportunities for improvement would be that the full hookup sites have the neighbors waste tube close the campers picnic table. Sometimes getting a whiff of black water waste while trying eat dinner leaves a little to be desired. Eh? If a person camps in the regular electric only sites this is not a problem. However, this requires ( for most campers) the use of the shower house. The bathroom facilities are clean and well kept but the showers could use some updating and better cleaning maintenance. The lake area offers great fishing and there are boat rentals available. Paddle boats, canoes, and other options. There is a long concrete multi use path along the lake and into the cabin area. The cabins seem nice, though we have never been in them or stayed in them. Book early they are usually booked up I am told. All in all a great weekend get away place. And generally limited cell signal might be better that way eh?

  • Matt S.
    Sep. 24, 2016

    Prairie Ridge

    Prairie Ridge has some nice wild flowers and a good view of Lake Rathbun

    Lake Rathbun is a destination for boaters and campers in the State of Iowa. The Army Corps of Engineers operates and maintains several facilities around the lake. Prairie Ridge campground is one of those facilities.

    The campsites are good. They have a fire pit, a place to hang food to keep away from raccoons, electricity, and a nice gravel pad for your vehicle or camper. It has modern toilets and some of the campsites have a nice overlook of the lake.

    What stands out at this campground is the prairie grass and all of the wild flowers. It is a nice weekend getaway.

  • K
    Sep. 12, 2024

    Updog RV & Camping

    TERRIBLE

    Worst place I have stayed in my 6 years of traveling as an RN. Yes, they had shade.  Made cell service very hard to receive. ONLY other thing they has was geese and fishing.  No picnic table, no firepits. I had a 30amp space. With slide out on each side, and not superslides either, I had EXACTLY 1 foot left on each side of my slides. I could not put out my awning as it would hit the camper next to me. No zero space behind camper as it went to a steep slope from my spare wheel. If I walked behind camper, I had to hang on to spare wheel or fall down the slope. Barely enough room in from of camper to park pickup at an angle.  I have never seen anything like this place before.  And hope I never do.  Pictures you see of campground are SO VERY MUCH deceiving !!!!!. I rate it a one star only because it will not allow me to go any lower.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Wallashuck

    Wallashuck Rec Area

    Very nice campground, each sight has a fire ring and table, plus a lantern pole. It is in a city park like setting and on the lake. Fire wood for sale at the entrance, you have to get water at the entrance only electrical hook up. Showers are very clean and there is also a children’s play ground.

  • Heather M.
    Oct. 9, 2021

    Howell Station

    Indian Summer weekend

    lovely, clean and very well spaced camp sites. Electric only with water and dump station nearby. clean bathrooms and showers spaced nicely thruout campground. Lots of large trees, close to bike path.

  • M
    Jun. 27, 2019

    Honey Creek Resort

    Not your typical RV site

    Honey Creek resort run by the state of Iowa (not to be confused with Honey Creek State Park nearby) is not your typical camping spot. There is a resort hotel with an indoor waterpark, cabins for rent, and an RV Park. The hotel and the RV park are right on the lake. Rathbun is maybe the nicest lake in Iowa (I would say Okoboji, however that has become an overcrowded mess). 

    The RV sites: There are not many of them, 20 I think. But they are all paved, level, full hook ups, spacious, with a view of the lake. I don't even think we exchanged harsh words setting up it was so easy. ;)  There are even a couple sites on the side that have equipment for fall hunters. Trees around the RV area, but not in. Fire ring and picnic table. The boat ramp is at one end of the RV area, so people may drive through with boats. Playground a short walk away on a path, but not right in the RV area. 

    Indoor waterpark: Probably geared to the 4-10 crowd. Only one bigger slide, lazy river, hot tub, pool with some balance platforms and a rope and a basketball hoop. Then a small kiddie pool with a pirate ship structure with some small slides and some fountains. Not a ton to do, however when we were there it rained for an entire day so that was very handy. Snackbar that serves booze. 

    Lake: one of the biggest in the state, not too busy as it is 2 hours from Des Moines so not a lot of day traffic (unlike Saylorville and Red Rock). Boat rentals available. 

    Resort hotel: I haven't been in the guest rooms. There is a lobby, restaurant/bar. I have not eaten at the restaurant. There is a little shop with necessities and firewood. There is a nature program where you can check out backpacks for kids to explore nature. Grounds are nice and lush, paths for walking and biking. There's a golf course.

  • Dani K.
    May. 31, 2017

    Lake Darling State Park Campground

    Favorite Childhood Site

    The Lake has been recently drained and refilled. The new trails around the lake are so wonderful. Electric and tent sites. Brand new five season cabins. Great all year round!


Guide to Drakesville

Campgrounds around Drakesville provide diverse camping options within southern Iowa's rolling landscape. Most sites sit between 800-950 feet elevation, with camping available from April through October when temperatures average 45-85°F. Weather patterns bring typical midwest seasonal variations, with summer thunderstorms and spring rainfall frequently creating muddy conditions on unpaved campground roads.

What to do

Fishing at smaller lakes: Ottumwa City Park features a fishing lake within the campground boundaries. "Has a lake you can fish at right in campground," notes one visitor. The park combines convenient urban location with recreational activities.

Golf opportunities: Visitors to Honey Creek Resort can access a 9-hole golf course during their stay. As one camper states, "If you want luxury camping with cabins and 9 holes of golf, Honey Creek Resort is for you. It is not cheap but it is a nice place to plan a short vacation of relaxing fun."

Boat access: Rathbun Lake at Honey Creek State Park Campground offers a substantial boat ramp for water activities. "Boat ramp at the park is large (6 lanes) with several docks to assist loading and unloading," according to a camper who stayed at site 95. The park provides direct lake access for fishing and boating.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Campers at Updog RV & Camping appreciate the well-maintained amenities. One visitor noted, "Very clean restrooms and showers," while another mentioned the bath house "looks like my bath room at home," indicating higher quality facilities than typical campgrounds.

Shaded sites: Tree coverage ranks high in camper preferences around Drakesville. A visitor to Updog RV & Camping commented, "Lots of trees for great shade in these hot days," which provides relief during summer months when temperatures frequently reach the upper 80s.

Proximity to towns: Location near services matters to many campers. One Updog visitor mentioned being "5 minutes from everything," while Ottumwa City Park campers noted being "extremely close to downtown and anything you might need," despite some road noise from the central location.

What you should know

Site spacing variations: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. At Eagle Lodge RV Park, the owner maintains clean grounds with full hookups, but site proximity varies across locations throughout the region.

Wildlife presence: Deer frequently appear in campgrounds. One Honey Creek State Park visitor warned, "Be careful driving around the park as I don't think there was a day we didn't see at least 8 deer wandering around the campsite or near roads."

Seasonal considerations: Most parks require reservations during peak times. Honey Creek State Park visitors report that "during the week, there were only about 6 other campers there. The weekend was a bit busier but still sites to be had" when camping the week before July 4th.

Tips for camping with families

Trail selection: Honey Creek State Park offers hiking trails suitable for families. "The state park has some nice trails for hiking. Use bug spray because the ticks are bad," advises one camper, highlighting both recreational opportunities and necessary precautions.

Shower facilities: Bathroom accessibility varies between campgrounds. At Ottumwa City Park, "Shower heads were very low in women's bathroom. I'm 5'8 the shower heads were at my chin or lower," reports one visitor, which may affect comfort for taller campers.

Pest preparation: Insects require attention when camping near Drakesville. Tick protection becomes particularly important during late spring and summer months, with multiple reviewers mentioning the need for proper insect repellent when hiking park trails.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for privacy: Choose end spots when possible at campgrounds. At Honey Creek State Park, one RVer advised avoiding "any spot in the center second of the loop. It was more like parking than camping." Corner or end sites typically provide more separation from neighbors.

Hookup orientation: Pay attention to hookup positioning when selecting sites. One RVer at Honey Creek State Park noted that "If we parked in the direction to utilize the full hookups we would have had our awning out over our neighbors campsite," indicating tight spacing in certain sections.

Value considerations: Lake Showme Campsites offers economical options for RV camping near Drakesville. "Great spot, $20 for RVs and campers. Free if primitive camping. All spots have power and water," reports a visitor, providing cost-effective alternatives to more expensive resort-style camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular RV campsite near Drakesville, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Drakesville, IA is Updog RV & Camping with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find RV camping near Drakesville, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 63 RV camping locations near Drakesville, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.