Camping near Emmetsburg, Iowa provides outdoor enthusiasts with several options within a 50-mile radius. The region features rolling prairie terrain with numerous small lakes created by glacial activity, averaging 1,200 feet above sea level with temperatures ranging from summer highs around 85°F to winter lows near 10°F. Most camping areas stay open from April through October, with limited winter availability at select locations.
What to do
Lake activities at Flying Goose Campground: Located 27 miles from Emmetsburg on Lake Imogene, visitors can fish, swim, and rent watercraft. "There is a lake you can fish, swim, rent kayaks and canoe," notes Beverly M., who appreciated the campground's amenities and lakeside location.
Explore historical attractions: The Grotto of the Redemption RV Park offers camping near a unique religious shrine. "The Grotto is a fascinating achievement worth a look if you are in the area," reports Richard, who found the campground convenient for exploring this unusual attraction.
Recreation options: Land of Memories Campground offers diverse activities including disc golf. "New paved roads, boat landing to river and frisbee golf connected... Close to state park with trails and bison so had a great weekend!" shares Daniel N., highlighting the connectivity to nature activities.
What campers like
Peaceful lakeside settings: Campers value the tranquility at Flying Goose Campground, where the swimming beach is often uncrowded. "What a gem! We were there for a one night mid-week stay, and it was so quiet and calm... Right on Lake Imogene, there is a boat dock and a sandy swimming beach (which we had entirely to ourselves!)," writes Hanaa.
Family-friendly spaces: Kennedy County Park gets high marks for its recreational facilities. "Multiple kids parks, beach area, fishing areas with boat ramps, trails, kids butterfly garden," writes Megan H., noting the various amenities that make glamping near Emmetsburg, Iowa appealing to families.
Well-maintained facilities: Many glamping accommodations near Emmetsburg maintain high standards. "The grounds are well-maintained and very clean. There are three playgrounds (one at the swimming beach), a mini golf course, and an actual phone booth," reports a Flying Goose Campground visitor, highlighting the unexpected amenities.
What you should know
Seasonal booking patterns: Premium glamping sites at Jackson KOA fill up during peak times. "We go in early in the afternoon after traveling from Madison WI... They were not full and I can understand the reason," notes Mary T., suggesting mid-week stays might offer more availability.
Weather considerations: Weather impacts glamping experiences around Emmetsburg significantly. "The sites are huge and offer water and electric. The shower house/bathrooms were decent - a little outdated, but not too bad," explains Jen A., who visited Land of Memories Campground, adding that proximity to rivers sometimes affects campground operations.
Variable cell service: Connectivity differs across glamping locations. "No cell service provider functions in this park. The WIFI is shared between dozens of sites, speed averages right around 5mps," reports Jeannie D. about Kennedy County Park, noting this limitation despite otherwise positive experiences.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with multiple play areas for different age groups. "This is a very spacious, clean campground. We camp with children and this has been a very family friendly campground. It has a playground & trails to walk along the Minnesota River," notes Anna M. about Land of Memories Campground.
Swimming options: Bright Lake Co Park provides lake access suitable for families. "Really nice spot almost overlooking the lake (Through the trees), had fire ring, picnic tables and room for quite a lot of tents! For me and my family it was perfect!" shares Wally B., emphasizing the family-friendly setup.
Distance to attractions: Position your glamping experience near Emmetsburg to maximize daytrip options. "I met the previous owner of the park and his wife, and told about some cool things to do in the area including the Jeffers Petroglyphs, a fort in the town of Jackson, and the town from Little House on the Prairie," mentions Gregory L. from Jackson KOA.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Check electrical capacity at glamping sites with RV access. "We wish there was sewer, but we understand that being so close to the river this may not be possible," notes Jen A. about Land of Memories Campground, highlighting infrastructure limitations.
Pull-through availability: Featherstone County Park offers tight but functional sites. "Snug if you have slide outs, must watch to see you don't hit neighbor's trailer as you extend. Awnings literally touch neighbors," cautions Jeannie D., providing practical space considerations for larger rigs.
Extension cord requirements: Some electrical hookups require additional equipment. "The electric hook ups are really far from the pad so bring an extension," advises Amy K. about Land of Memories Campground, offering a practical tip for RV campers planning to stay in the area.
