Lake Darling State Park and Indian Lake Park are the primary glamping destinations near Eldon, Iowa, with both parks situated in the rolling hills of southeast Iowa. The region features moderate elevations between 600-800 feet and experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching 90°F and winters often dropping below freezing. Visitors to glamping accommodations near Eldon can expect well-maintained facilities within driving distance of the Des Moines River.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Darling offers excellent fishing with multiple species available. Visitors can enjoy various fishing spots around the 302-acre lake. According to a visitor at Lake Darling State Park Campground, "I absolutely loved this state park. There is so many options for fishing and camping. They even have cabin rentals for the more glamping lifestyle."
Hiking trails: The trail system at Lake Darling has been renovated along with the lake restoration. A camper noted, "Several hiking trails—maps seemed to not quite fit the trails and lake to some degree. Several ponds have been added to the lake and along the hiking trails that aren't on the map that could assist in knowing where you're at along the trails."
Water activities: Island View Campground at Lake Rathbun provides beach access and boat ramps for water enthusiasts. "Rathbun Lake is a destination for boaters and campers in the State of Iowa. Island View campground has some really nice views of the lake," explains one reviewer.
River access: Campers looking for river-based activities can visit Eveland Access, where one visitor mentioned it's "Great area right on the river. Excellent for fishing or boating."
What campers like
Privacy and space: Campsites at many parks offer adequate spacing for comfort. At Indian Lake Park, "Most of the sites are nice and shady and level. A bathhouse with showers. A stone lodge for large parties."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. A camper at Indian Lake Park observed, "Very modern facilities that were clean," while another at Eveland Access mentioned, "Great camp grounds! New showers and toilets."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to see local fauna. At Lake Iowa County Park, one visitor shared, "The area around the lake and nearby pond is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife. We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful environment, especially during weekdays. A reviewer at Lake Iowa County Park noted, "Nice, quiet and affordable. Saw lots of deer and rabbits right outside our door."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with some offering year-round access. Lake Darling and Indian Lake Park remain open throughout the year, while Island View is typically open from May 1 to September 30.
Booking requirements: Popular glamping options fill quickly, especially in peak seasons. "They do book up quick in advance, but there is usually walk-up spots available the week of too," mentions a camper about Lake Darling's cabins.
Shower facilities: Quality varies between campgrounds. At Lake Darling, one camper noted, "The bathroom facilities are clean and well kept but the showers could use some updating and better cleaning maintenance."
Cell service: Some areas have limited connectivity. A Lake Darling visitor mentioned, "And generally limited cell signal might be better that way eh?"
Site proximity issues: At Waubonsie Trail Park, "I camped in the equestrian campground and loved it with my popup. The RV campground and the campsites were close together. The equestrian area is the way to go in my opinion but I love the quiet."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer play areas for children. At Indian Lake Park, "There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach. Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends."
Educational opportunities: Lake Darling was named after conservation pioneer Ding Darling, offering historical context for family discussions about conservation.
Beach areas: Multiple lakes feature sandy beaches for swimming. A visitor to Lake Rathbun mentioned, "Pretty nice campground with showers/restrooms/dump stations spread throughout the campground. There is a ramp for boats and a beach."
Group facilities: Indian Lake Park offers a stone lodge perfect for family gatherings. As one reviewer describes, "They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent. All very reasonably priced."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites exist at several campgrounds but may have specific issues. At Lake Darling, "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."
Site spacing: Campgrounds vary in how close RVs are positioned. At Waubonsie Trail Park, a camper recommended, "Cute little RV/tent campground. Very nice hosts. Only stayed 1 night. Definitely on the 'let's go back' list."
Dump stations: Most campgrounds offer dump stations, though not all sites have sewer hookups. A visitor to Indian Lake Park noted they "also have a dump station" among their amenities.
