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.
