RV parks near Earlham, Iowa are primarily clustered along the I-80 corridor, providing convenient access for travelers crossing the state. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet above sea level with rolling prairie landscape that experiences hot summers and cold winters. Cell reception varies significantly outside urban centers, with some campgrounds reporting complete service blackouts during certain weather conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Nations Bridge Park offers a fishing pond accessible from multiple camping areas. "Views of the water and walking trails from the site" make it easy to access fishing spots, according to one camper who enjoyed the park's layout.
Disc golf course: Nations Bridge Park includes a full frisbee golf course among its recreational amenities. A visitor noted, "There are horse shoe pits and even a frisby-golf course" along with "plenty of things to keep your family busy."
Bike trail access: RV campers at Griffs Valley View RV Park have direct access to a paved biking path. "Nicely paved 25 mile long biking and walking Chichaqua Valley Trail runs right between the campground and the campground office," explains one long-term camper who stayed while working in the area.
What campers like
Year-round accessibility: While many rv parks around Earlham close seasonally, some remain open through winter. One visitor to Des Moines West KOA Holiday shared, "Don't pay attention to the highway signs that says they're only open until October, they're working on updating them."
Clean facilities: River Oaks RV Park maintains high standards for their facilities. A camper reported, "Bath house & laundry are complete. Very nice and spotless. The camp is quiet and well maintained."
Storm shelter access: Safety features at certain campgrounds provide peace of mind for severe weather. One reviewer at Griffs Valley View RV Park mentioned the "community center has nice showers, laundry, game room. Kitchen with attached TV room, oh and storm shelter."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Lower elevation areas can become problematic after rain. A camper at River Oaks RV Park advised, "Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks." At Nations Bridge Park, another camper warned, "The lower camp zone looks like it floods easily and was pretty muddy, so we opted for a nice level spot in the upper section."
Service limitations: Cellular connectivity is inconsistent across rv parks near Earlham. One reviewer at River Oaks noted, "Free WiFi was good; we streamed tv. It did freeze a few times but hard to tell if it was the WiFi or the provider."
Seasonal facility closures: Check which amenities remain available during off-season visits. A camper at Nations Bridge Park cautioned, "All the restrooms were locked for the season, and the only signage was on the doors of the facilities. No signage about the closures at the self registration."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Des Moines West KOA Holiday offers extensive child-friendly amenities. A visitor commented, "They have a ton of fun amenities for kids such as a pool, dunk tank, gem mining, ladder golf, horseshoes, jumping pillow, water balloon wars, basketball and more."
Group campsite options: Youth groups should consider specialized areas at certain campgrounds. According to one review, Nations Bridge Park has "a large campsite away from the other campers that allows everyone to have fun without disturbing each other."
Site spacing considerations: Some rv parks feature tightly packed sites that may not work well for families. One camper at Des Moines West KOA observed, "Very lacking on trees and very packed in. Site 31 is a 'buddy site' and you are sitting on top of your neighbors with no privacy."
Tips from RVers
Check hose length: Prepare for varying hookup configurations. A camper at Griffs Valley View mentioned, "My only issue was that my hose was just barely long enough but that was my fault not the campgrounds."
Casino RV parking limitations: Lakeside Casino RV Park offers basic overnight parking with limited amenities. A recent visitor summarized it as "essentially a parking lot with hookups" and advised, "If you are traveling I35 and it's convenient for an overnight rest, it's well worth the cost. Otherwise, unless the casino is your destination, find a more traditional campground."
Self check-in preparation: Late arrivals should note that some campgrounds offer after-hours check-in options. One camper shared, "Although we were arriving after 10pm, we could still check in without a reservation! They have an awesome 'self check in'. A board marked with available spaces we chose from."
