Dog-Friendly Camping near Ely, IA

Pet-friendly camping sites near Ely, Iowa lie within the rolling hills of east-central Iowa, where elevations range from 700 to 900 feet above sea level. This region typically experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging in the 80s°F and cold winters dipping into the 20s°F. Most campgrounds in the area are situated on level to gently sloping terrain with a mix of prairie and deciduous forest landscapes.

What to do

Hiking through prairie restoration areas: F.W. Kent Park offers walking trails around their lake where visitors can observe native wildflowers and grasses. "Beautiful, very large, clean, quiet... there is about a two mile trail circumventing the entire lake. Great hiking around the lake on trail that connects to the campground," notes Lisa S. who stayed at F. W. Kent Park.

Fossil hunting at the gorge: West Overlook Campground provides access to the Devonian Fossil Gorge, a unique geological site exposed during the 1993 flood. "This campground is close to the dam and the Devonian Fossil Gorge," shares Carolyn M. who camped at West Overlook Campground.

Mountain biking on singletrack: Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) offers direct access to mountain biking trails. "The best thing about this campground is it's access to the squaw creek man bike single track," reports Kris P. who visited the park.

Paddling multiple waterways: Sugar Bottom Campground connects campers to both Lake Macbride and Coralville Lake. "Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs," mentions James M.

What campers like

Spacious sites with privacy: F.W. Kent Park earns praise for its well-spaced campsites. "Busy on the weekend. Bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most sites are slanted in both planes," advises Warren W. who stayed at this location.

Seasonal wildlife watching: The Primitive South Campground at Lake Macbride provides opportunities to observe various animals. "Expect the usual run ins with raccoons, coyotes, and other wild life and guard your food from them," notes April W. who camped at Primitive South Campground.

Affordable camping rates: Many Ely-area campgrounds offer budget-friendly options. "This is a COE Park so you also can get a discount with your Senior Pass," explains Judith B. about Sugar Bottom Campground, where electric sites with water are available for tent campers at reasonable rates.

Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the condition of restrooms and shower houses. "They have laundry, showers, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, fishing and a swimming beach," comments Iris A. who stayed at Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow.

What you should know

Winter closures and seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October. "The campgrounds offer pads, firings, electric, tables, and there is a dump station. Restrooms, shelters, overflow parking, and a youth campsite is available," explains James M. about Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground.

Weekend crowding vs. weekday quiet: Plan accordingly based on your preference for solitude. "Very quiet midweek in October which was great because there would be no privacy between the small sites," advises Adam J. about Modern North Campground at Lake Macbride.

Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven terrain. "We were on a hill site #78. It was peaceful and quiet. Easy self check in process and self pay for firewood," shares Chris J. about F.W. Kent Park.

Storm damage recovery: Several parks in the region were affected by the 2020 derecho. "We stayed here the weekend before the Derecho damaged so many of the trees. Would love to go back," mentions Heather M. about Lake Macbride State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Multiple locations offer kid-friendly amenities. "The modern campground has electric hookups and nice showers... Great lake and good playgrounds if you have kids," recommends Annie C. who stayed at Lake Macbride.

Consider Primitive South for nature immersion: This Lake Macbride campground provides wildlife viewing opportunities. "This is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa... This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful. Two views of the lake, a modern bathroom and a pit style bathroom as well," notes April W.

Check swimming areas before booking: Not all lake access points include beaches. "They have great food at the bar that's on the water called bobbers. They have boat rental, firewood, propane, etc. The couple downfalls is the shower and bath house is outdated and there's no swimming area on this side of the lake," explains Nathan T. about Scales Pointe Camping and Boating.

Pack supplies for tent sites: Some locations have limited amenities. "The only drawback was that the tent sites don't have picnic tables, but for two nights we made it work," shares Kimberly B. about Amana RV Park & Event Center.

Tips from RVers

Reserve early for summer weekends: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "This looks to be a camping destination for a lot of folks in the area, but is also an easy stopover right off Interstate 80 for folks on road trips," explains Janet R. about West Overlook Campground.

Bring leveling equipment: The terrain throughout the Ely area often requires adjustments. "We were one and done on what we thought might be a more difficult back-in, but there was enough level ditch in front to allow an easy swing. Our site was somewhat level, but we did have to put blocks under the passenger-side tires," shares MickandKarla W. about Sugar Bottom Campground.

Check site sizes before booking: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "The campground is great for RVs and anybody who has a setup that doesn't rely on shaded areas," notes Christoph R. about Amana RV Park & Event Center, which offers wide-open spaces suitable for larger vehicles.

Consider water quality and hookups: Water access varies by location. "Water collects a bit in the footbed due to the curviness, but I just shook it out. Most importantly, I haven't had the sandal slide or stick to any floor; sticking or sliding could be a disaster for a knee," explains Mary S. about shower conditions at West Overlook Campground.