Camping options near Eddyville, Iowa include both lakeside sites and small-town rv parks situated in the Des Moines River Valley at approximately 700 feet elevation. The region experiences humid continental climate with seasonal camping available primarily from April through October. Winter camping remains limited to year-round facilities with water systems typically winterized from November through March.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Access Rock Creek Lake for crappie and bass fishing with boat rentals available at the marina. "Rock Creek is known for its crappie and large mouth bass fishing. 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," notes a camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground.
**Kayaking and canoeing: Launch from lakefront campsites at Diamond Lake County Park for water exploration. "The lake is really clean and lovely, with lush grass and greenery all around. Great spot for birds—saw multiple heron, egret and hawks," shares a visitor who found the peaceful setting ideal for paddling.
**Cycling access: Connect directly to local bike trails from Howell Station near Pella. "CG is well kept, has a bike/walking path that borders the River and winds through the woods. Baths/showers were very clean and well kept up," according to a review from Howell Station.
What campers like
**Lakeside camping: Diamond Lake sites offer direct water access for a premium experience. "We stayed there this weekend. The campsite was perfect right by the lake and the campground was right next to us. Bathrooms and shower house were both clean," writes a reviewer at Diamond Lake County Park.
**Convenient highway access: Many campers appreciate quick overnight stops off major routes. "Very convenient to I-80, well-laid out. Most convenient, though, was setting up at the site and then walking to the co-located gas station and burgers for dinner (and great ice cream cones)," explains a visitor to Kellogg RV Park.
**Full-service amenities: River Oaks RV Park provides comprehensive facilities for longer stays. "Nice size campground, sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6' hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site," reports a camper.
What you should know
**Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds around Eddyville open April through October. "Open year around. Nice large sites and no need to unhook. Clean rv park with easy access to 1-80," explains a Kellogg RV Park visitor about one of the few year-round options.
**Varying cellular coverage: Signal strength differs significantly between locations. "Poor Verizon cell signal, no internet signal," reports one camper at Howell Station, while others note better connectivity at lakeside campgrounds.
**Weather preparation: Severe storms can occur during summer months, requiring awareness of shelter locations. "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."
Tips for camping with families
**Indoor recreation alternatives: Honey Creek Resort offers options during inclement weather. "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," notes a visitor to Honey Creek Resort.
**Playground facilities: Multiple parks feature play areas for children with varying quality. "The grounds have play sets and swings for kids. There are some great paved paths to walk or bike," writes a camper about facilities at Howell Station.
**Campground layout considerations: Sites at popular locations fill quickly during peak season. "RV sites are close and busy. Grass and shade. Tenting area had a much quieter vibe," observes a Rock Creek visitor, suggesting families consider non-peak times or reserve well in advance.
Tips from RVers
**Site spacing variations: RV parks near Eddyville offer different levels of privacy and separation. "The sites are mostly pull through with full service electric, water, and sewer. Sites were spacious, level and most were very shady," mentions a reviewer about site conditions at Ottumwa City Park.
**Off-season advantages: Consider spring and fall visits for better availability and quieter experience. "We stayed during the fall and it was practically empty. Our camp host told us early spring can be hit or miss because sometime the campground will end up flooding," advises a Rock Creek State Park camper.
**Local food options: Several rv parks Eddyville, Iowa offer nearby dining choices. "Campground has nice mature trees and lots of spots available. $18 for full hook up. What a deal. Has a lake you can fish at right in campground. Although it is right next to a major road, but also extremely close to downtown and anything you might need."
