3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lake Darling State Park Campground houses some of the most sought-after glamping accommodations in southern Iowa, offering five-season cabins that provide a luxury outdoor experience just outside Eddyville. These modern cabins feature comfortable beds with quality linens, climate control systems, and private outdoor spaces with fire pits. Located on the shores of a recently renovated lake, the glamping sites provide beautiful water views and easy access to fishing, boating, and paddling activities. Keokuk County Belva Deer Park also features elevated glamping options with cabin accommodations that include electricity, water hookups, and amenities not found at standard campsites. "We stayed on the primitive group side of the lake. The cabins are small but clean," one reviewer noted about Lake Darling's luxury outdoor accommodations.
The glamping experience at these locations extends beyond comfortable accommodations to include numerous outdoor activities and amenities. Multiple hiking trails circle Lake Darling, with a long concrete multi-use path connecting the glamping cabins to the rest of the park. Guests can rent paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks directly from the park for exploring the calm waters. At Belva Deer Park, the facilities include modern showers with hot water, making the glamping experience more comfortable than traditional camping. A historic village at Marion County Park offers weekend tours during summer months, providing cultural experiences just minutes from the glamping sites. According to a camper, "The lake area offers great fishing and there are boat rentals available. Paddle boats, canoes, and other options."
from $20 / night
"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."
"Wallashuck in Pella, iowa is one of my favorite places to camp. It’s mostly quiet and peaceful. Plus town is close and has plenty to entertain or fill up supplies"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $24 / night
"Campground was very clean and staff was helpful and polite. A lot of spots have a nice view of the water. It tends to be very busy. My stay was a week past labor day and still over half full."
"Campsites were spaced well apart with plenty of room on pad around campsites, cell service was four bars and air tv 30 channels"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $230 / night
"Nice Iowa State Park campground just outside of Grenell Iowa. On a lake. Hundreds of sites. So many of the non-electric test sites look amazing."
"The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas and you can go over by the bridge and fish the rocks. It’s a great place if you have a boat or kayak/canoe."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $40 / night
"Plus, it’s on the outskirts of town so restaurants and grocery stores are nearby."
"Marion County is often overlooked by people in favor of the various Red Rock campgrounds that are nearby, but in my opinion, unless you have a boat, there is nothing that puts Red Rock above Marion County"
"Iowa."
"No frills but adorably decorated. You got gas, snacks and great food and ice cream..what else could you ask for in a overnight stop. Laundry, shower house and bocce court."
"Lake Darling is by far the best, cleaners, friendliest campground I hand every stayed at...."
"Sites were fairly level and all pretty close to the showers/restrooms, and well spaced out between sites. "
Available this weekend
from $12 - $110 / night
"12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance."
"Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen. $10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong?"
"Looked like a decent amount of folks here but we didn’t drive very far into the park. If you take a look at the PDF maps on their website you can see how vast the places is with 122 spots!"
"Nearly empty. We’re self contained so it was $10/night with no hook ups. They have RV sites with water and electric. Nice free showers. Quiet and clean."
Available this weekend
from $10 - $18 / night
TravelerNice quiet campground. The front looks like more long timers and it was a little noisier up there but I drove to the back loop and it's nice and quiet back here. PLENTY of 50/30/20 amp hookups and the shower house in the back was nice. Water was just lukewarm but it was hot out so no problem. Might be less pleasant in colder weather though. Pull through spots available. I would stay here again for sure.
ScoutLake Darling is by far the best, cleaners, friendliest campground I hand every stayed at.... Traveling all the way from New Mexico they really make everything easy and welcoming thanks Iowa for welcoming us
RangerGreat friendly hosts. Check in inside the gas station. Full hook ups and a fair price compared to most rv parks especially with good sam membership. No frills but adorably decorated. You got gas, snacks and great food and ice cream..what else could you ask for in a overnight stop. Laundry, shower house and bocce court. Bocce sets available to borrow from the gas station. Cute communal sitting areas one area with fire rings and wood available at the gas station. Yes its right off 80 and you will hear the traffic but with this incredible convenience we didn't mind. Felt safe and good vibes during our stay. Level and long gravel pull through sites and big rig friendly. Will definitely be added to our favorites list for I80 travels.
ScoutQuiet place. Camp host was friendly. Bathroom needs a little care but overall great campground. As far as cellular service, I was only getting one bar, however Starlink worked great.
LegendNice Iowa State Park campground just outside of Grenell Iowa. On a lake. Hundreds of sites. So many of the non-electric test sites look amazing. The RV sites are very packed in with little to no privacy.
LegendFollowing up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in rural Iowa.
Highs: (1) Quick& EZ access from I-80 via Exit 173; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Very EZ check-in process; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are like brand new; (7) If you get hungry, this CG and fueling station has an imbedded Iowa’s Best Burger Café that does live up to its name; (8) There’s also an embedded Amoco gas station and mini-mart; (9) Spectacularly clean and recently refurbished bathrooms & shower facilities; (10) There’s a small launderette here, which was bonus; (11) Should you visit in the summer, you will benefit from being surrounded by 6 foot tall corn fields that will provide greater privacy and better scenery
Lows: (1) You are just 30 seconds north of I-80, the busiest highway in Iowa;(2) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic from the highway into this place, so apart from the fact that you're clear out in the boondocks, you are next to the very heavily trafficked I80, so it’s difficult to feel 100% safe & secure here; (3) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees (welcome to corn country), bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (4) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so while this isn't exactly Florida, if you're here during the hot summer months, you should bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you are OK being surrounded by RVs with absolutely no privacy in the open interior; and (7) Apart from FHUs and a decent shower / restroom in the middle of the CG and a small laundry in the NW, there’s not much here in the way of amenities
Happy Camping!
ScoutWife and I met friends here in August 2025. This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY. The campground was very well maintained. Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional. We really enjoyed the long weekend here. Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August. Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did. Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees. Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.
TravelerRV sites are close and busy. Grass and shade. Tenting area had a much quieter vibe. Lots of dogs. Ranger was helpful. It was a Sunday.
TravelerPretty nice campground with showers/restrooms/dump stations spread throughout the campground. Tons a room between spots and lots of sites with a good view of the lake. Our site has a nice view but isn’t too close. I would aim for one of the M spots if you want closer. There is a ramp for boats and a beach. Overall really great place to stay especially if you like the water
Several campgrounds near Eddyville, Iowa offer a variety of camping options within 20-30 minutes of town. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 700 to 900 feet and a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Winter glamping accommodations remain accessible at several locations offering heated cabins and year-round facilities.
Fishing opportunities: At Eveland Access in Oskaloosa, campers can enjoy excellent river fishing. "Great area right on the river. excellent for fishing or boating," notes Dorothy H. The campground provides easy water access for anglers of all skill levels.
Hiking trails: Waubonsie Trail Park offers both regular hiking paths and equestrian trails with varying difficulty levels. "We hiked the equestrian trails one afternoon and the regular trails the next day," reports Joyce M. The trail system connects to a covered bridge and local attractions, making it ideal for day hikes.
Lake activities: Many campers rent boats at Island View Campground on Lake Rathbun. "The park has a nice play set for kids and there are baseball fields nearby... This is a great place to go if you like to boat. There are three different boat ramps in the park," explains Matt S. The multiple boat launch options reduce congestion during busy summer weekends.
Spacious campsites: Campers frequently mention the generous spacing at Wallashuck campground. "Campsites are well spaced, some have good views of the lake... Very quite when we stayed there," reports Tom. The thoughtful layout provides privacy while maintaining convenience to facilities.
Clean facilities: The well-maintained bathrooms at Rock Creek State Park Campground receive consistent praise. "Clean bathroom with good showers. Limited shade options," mentions Michael C. The park prioritizes cleanliness throughout all public facilities.
Quiet atmosphere: Many glamping options close to Eddyville, Iowa provide peaceful settings. "Marion County is often overlooked by people in favor of the various Red Rock campgrounds that are nearby," notes Rodney S., who appreciates that "it still feels isolated while there" despite being just minutes from conveniences.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds have limited schedules. Island View operates from May 1 to September 30, while Rock Creek remains open from April 1 to December 31, offering more shoulder-season options for fall and spring camping.
Site leveling needs: Marion County Park requires preparation for uneven terrain. "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," warns Adam.
Reservation recommendations: Popular glamping accommodations fill quickly. Dani K. advises that at Lake Darling State Park, cabins "do book up quick in advance, but there is usually walk up spots available the week of too."
Playground access: Kellogg RV Park features family-friendly amenities. "The sites are pull thru, gravel-strewn... comes equipped with all of the typical hook-ups along with plenty of in-ground fire rings, stand-up BBQ grills and plenty of brand new picnic tables," describes Stuart K., who also notes that children enjoy the unique chicken coops on the property.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer learning experiences. "There is a historic village onsite that's open for tours on weekends during the summer," mentions Adam about Marion County Park, providing families with cultural activities beyond standard outdoor recreation.
Swimming options: Families should research current water conditions before planning swimming activities. Douglas P. notes that at Lake Darling, "the amazing swimming beach with concession stand and changing rooms with showers is gone. Due to the large population of geese, ducks, and cranes, the water is not safe to swim in."
Electric hookup varieties: Electric service varies between parks. At Eveland Access, campers find "electric hookups" and "fifty-amp hookups" but no thirty-amp options, which might affect equipment compatibility for some RVers.
Dump station access: RVers appreciate the sanitary facilities at several parks. Elisha L. mentions Rock Creek's setup: "No water or sewer at the sites but there are water spigots dispersed through the campground and full dump station as you come in/leave."
Spacing between RVs: Site spacing varies significantly. "RV sites are close and busy. Grass and shade. Tenting area had a much quieter vibe," notes Carol B. about Rock Creek State Park. For those seeking more privacy, Bruce K. cautions that some areas have "sites both tent and RV are simply too close for you to enjoy the place."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Eddyville, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Eddyville, IA is Eveland Access with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Eddyville, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 glamping camping locations near Eddyville, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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