89 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Eldora, Iowa include a mix of state parks, county facilities, and riverside recreation areas that provide tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Pine Lake State Park Campground serves as the area's primary developed camping destination, featuring electrical hookups, modern restrooms, and shower facilities. Within a 15-mile radius, visitors can find additional options like Tower Rock County Park with cabin accommodations, Eagle City County Park offering free dispersed camping along the Iowa River, and Pine Ridge Park in nearby Steamboat Rock.
Access to most campgrounds remains open throughout the warm season, with several facilities operating from April through October or November. Pine Lake State Park Campground stays open year-round, while Prairie Bridges Park and Dakins Lake County Park maintain seasonal operations from spring through fall. Road access generally requires no special equipment, though Eagle City County Park sits at the end of a maintained gravel road. Flooding can impact riverside camping, particularly at Pine Ridge Park where the Iowa River may rise quickly after heavy rainfall. "If it rains heavily, the campground can flood quickly when the river rises," noted one camper at Pine Ridge Park.
The Iowa River corridor shapes the camping experience throughout the region, with several campgrounds providing direct water access for fishing, paddling, and riverside relaxation. Campers frequently mention the paddling opportunities, with Eagle City County Park serving as a popular put-in or take-out point for kayakers and tubers. Pine Lake State Park receives consistently positive reviews for its lakefront sites and recreation options. "Lovely views, great walking paths, quiet and picturesque lake. Bathrooms and shower rooms are new and super clean," reported one visitor. The region balances developed facilities with more primitive options—Eagle City County Park provides free camping with basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, while facilities like L. Brandt's Crazy Acres offer full hookups and cabin rentals for those seeking more creature comforts.
"This campground is near home so I know it well. The campground itself is nice, with some decent sized campsites, many having a great view of upper Pine Lake. There are flush toilets and showers."
"Quiet campground near Upper Pine Lake. Facilities are well maintained. The town of Eldora, just outside the park has groceries, gas and some low grade restaurants available."
from $12 - $90 / night
Check Availability"This park is located on 172 acres of land. It has an enclosed picnic shelter, hand pump well, vault rest rooms, primitive camping, and 2 swing sets."
"The review that says someone followed them is weird, first of all it’s not even a lake, it’s the Iowa River, and maybe they just wanted a place to get it on?"
"It is right on the Iowa river near a takeout, so you can put in upstream and paddle down, or do as I do and paddle upstream and then back down (works when the water flow is not too swift)."
"Tucked out of the way along the iowa river. My kids love this campground and it's cheap. They have a shower house, bathrooms, and a playground."
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability"While camping is no longer allowed in Tower Rock park, you can still enjoy a walk down to the river or bicycling on the paved bicycle trail."
"The cabins were perfect, with lots of places to hike all around the area."
"I stopped by the Octagonal shelter at the south entrance of the park. This is a large shelter house with a fireplace in the middle of the building with several picnic tables. "
"Great place to take long walks with great paths and scenery. Small town Iowa with convenience store close by."
"U can walk there or golf cart it up son. It's all good"
"Close to i35, but not to close. Make reservations, facilities this good are full by Friday."
"The shelter is very nice and overlooks Dakins Lake. The camp host was very responsive and helpful."
from $17 - $24 / night
Check Availability
GuideLake Considine, IA. 5 out of 5. 10/28/26
Would recommend. Free. Friendly passerby’s. Gravel road no potholes. Fish galore. Pull in is nice and smooth. Quiet. Saw deer. Coyotes in distance. Fire pit area. Worn out table there. Boat load in. Beautiful scenery.
LegendSmaller county park less than 2 miles outside of Hampton Iowa. The WKW park/natural area are just several hundred feet from each other (I posted a review of that as well) but, it looks like the WKW area no longer has a campground, but maybe this replaced it? All part of Floyd County rec. A few electrical sites at the front of campground, but several more rustic sites a bit further in. Kids play area and a small creek nearby.
LegendVery nice state park campground. There are cabins as well as campsites. The park is adjacent to Pine Lake and water based recreation is available including swimming beach and boating. The campground is off a paved road and is near to town. There is a walking path to the boat launch from the campground. Biking/hiking trails are on property.
LegendSmall park with basic amenities along the river. There is a big event center at the entrance and keep going back and the campground is there along the river. This would be a great area for paddling the river. Seemed pretty quite and spaces are moderately spread out. There is a rifle range on the property if that interests you (negatively or positively- there is a photo of the rules in my review). No shooting while I was there.
LegendCute park in Rockwell Iowa. There is a south campground too, but that was blocked off when I was there. There is a public golf course and aquatic center just a few hundred feet from the campground. The campground is on the edge of town. There a a river running between the south campground and the main campground with a footbridge over the river. Dump station present. Playground for kids. There are sites along the river edge.
LegendThe campground here is no longer available… however, several hundred yards down the country road, there is a campground (looks to be the same system, called Robinson park)
LegendCute small park/campground in Iowa farm country. Inexpensive and quaint. Has a small creek nearby. Kids play area too. Basic amenities.
GuideNot free $10 a night.
GuideNot free. $10 a night. Haven’t been here yet just writing a review to let everyone know it’s not free.
Camping sites near Eldora, Iowa connect campers to the central Iowa landscape along the Iowa River corridor. Several of the area's campgrounds sit on or near the river, which can rise quickly after heavy rainfall, affecting campsite availability during wet seasons. While Pine Lake State Park remains open year-round, most other camping facilities in the region operate seasonally from April through late October.
Paddling adventures: The Iowa River provides multiple entry and exit points for kayakers and tubers, with Eagle City County Park serving as a popular river access. "We have only camped on the lower side to facilitate fishing the river... Kayakers frequent the river access on the lower side as well as some equestrian use for river access," notes one regular visitor.
Disc golf courses: Prairie Bridges Park offers disc golf among its many recreational amenities. "Really nice. Has 3 playgrounds a volley ball pit, disk golf, fishing, basketball court, shuffle board, clean shower houses, nice size sites," reports a camper who enjoyed the variety of activities available.
Fishing opportunities: Pine Ridge Park provides direct access to the Iowa River for anglers. "I like this campground. It is right on the Iowa river near a takeout, so you can put in upstream and paddle down, or do as I do and paddle upstream and then back down (works when the water flow is not too swift)," explains one experienced camper.
Bicycle trails: Wolf Creek Rec Area connects to the Comet Trail for cycling enthusiasts. "A nice campground located on the comet trail," shares one visitor, while another mentions the trail among the campground's activities: "Comet trail for hiking and biking."
Peaceful riverside settings: Campers appreciate the secluded spots along the Iowa River at Eagle City County Park. "We go to Eagle City at least once a year to just get away from it all, it's close to home but feels cut off which is what I look for when camping," explains one regular visitor.
Updated facilities: Pine Lake State Park Campground receives praise for its modern amenities. "They've recently updated the bathroom/shower houses to be shared bathroom spaces with individual shower 'closets' on the opposite side of the building. Excellent upgrade!" notes one satisfied camper.
Family-friendly amenities: L. Brandt's Crazy Acres Campground & Cabin Rental offers activities for children. "The kids had fun playing mini golf, swimming at the beach and playing at the playgrounds. The people that run the campground are so nice," reports a family who enjoyed their stay.
Off-season solitude: Several campgrounds in the area provide quiet experiences during less busy times. "I tend to prefer off-season when I am (often) the only camper in either campground. Summer will have more campers, ranging from tents to small RVs, but there are plenty of campsites so it is never full," mentions a camper describing Eagle City Park.
River flooding concerns: Pine Ridge Park campers should monitor weather conditions. "If it rains heavily, the campground can flood quickly when the river rises," cautions a visitor. Most locals choose sites away from the immediate riverbank.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds near Eldora have limited seasons. Dakins Lake County Park operates "April 1 to October 31," while Prairie Bridges Park runs from "April 1 to November 1." Plan accordingly when scheduling camping trips outside summer months.
Fee structures vary: While some sites were historically free, policies change. "Note that they do now require a permit to stay here. Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site," advises a recent Eagle City County Park visitor.
Shooting range proximity: Some campers should be aware of nearby recreational facilities. "This campground is quiet at night, but I will point out that it is near a popular members-only rifle and pistol range... you may hear the continuous sound of gun fire during the day," explains a Pine Ridge Park visitor.
Playground options: Dakins Lake County Park offers child-friendly amenities. "We rented two campsites and the shelter this past weekend. The campsites are large and very clean. The trees aren't mature yet, but it wasn't an issue for us. The shelter is very nice and overlooks Dakins Lake," shares a family group visitor.
Halloween camping events: Some campgrounds host special seasonal activities. "The weekend we camped there was their Halloween trick or treating and all the campers were very nice. It was a very relaxing weekend!" recalls a visitor to L. Brandt's Crazy Acres.
Safety considerations: Some dispersed camping areas may feel isolated. A camper at Eagle City Park noted: "Liked the spot by the lake and we could have been the only ones there but we noticed a few things on the way to the site that was unsettling." Consider family comfort levels with remote locations.
Cabin options for beginners: First-time camping families might prefer Tower Rock's furnished cabins. "The cabins were perfect, with lots of places to hike all around the area," mentions one visitor, while another calls them "Great place to spend a weekend. Very comfortable and cozy."
Site selection strategies: At Prairie Bridges Park, weekday camping offers the most peaceful experience. "Very quiet, especially on weekdays. Great place to take long walks with great paths and scenery," advises one RVer.
Limited shade awareness: Newer campgrounds in the area have young trees. "Unfortunately being a newer campground there are no established trees for shade, we found the best spots are on the south side where the camper door faces east. As the trees mature this campground will just keep getting better," suggests a Dakins Lake camper.
Electrical hookup availability: Pine Lake State Park Campground offers electrical sites with good views. "The campground itself is nice, with some decent sized campsites, many having a great view of upper Pine Lake. There are flush toilets and showers. Campsites have electric hookups," notes a regular visitor.
Campground size limitations: Wolf Creek Rec Area accommodates smaller rigs. "Small to midsize RVs. Tent area. New (2) handicapped accessible shower house," explains a visitor describing the campground's limitations and amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Eldora, Iowa?
Pine Lake State Park Campground is the premier camping destination in Eldora, with spacious sites overlooking Upper Pine Lake, electric hookups, flush toilets, and well-maintained shower facilities. For a quieter alternative, Prairie Bridges Park offers a peaceful small-town camping experience with great walking paths and scenic views. Both campgrounds provide easy access to amenities in Eldora, including groceries and gas stations.
Are there RV rental options available in Eldora, Iowa?
Direct RV rental services aren't available in Eldora itself, but several options exist in the region. The closest dedicated rental services are in larger towns within an hour's drive. If you're looking for RV-friendly campgrounds in the area, Kellogg RV Park and Beed's Lake State Park Campground offer excellent facilities for RVs, including hookups and spacious sites. Call ahead to confirm availability and any size restrictions for larger RVs.
How far is Eldora, Iowa from Des Moines for camping day trips?
Eldora is approximately 75 miles northeast of Des Moines, making it about a 1.5-hour drive each way—ideal for weekend camping but a bit far for daily commuting. For campers planning Des Moines day trips, Ledges State Park Campground offers a great halfway point about 45 minutes from Des Moines with beautiful hiking trails and shaded campsites. Alternatively, George Wyth State Park Campground provides affordable camping with kayak and canoe rentals, and is closer to urban amenities.
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