Johanna A.
Guide
GuideLake Anita State Park Campground
Beautiful and quiet
Arrived on a Monday night, was quiet. We opted for the electric site. (Reserved ahead of time). The showers are clean!
Best Campgrounds near Exira, IA
Campgrounds near Exira, Iowa provide a variety of established camping options with several family-friendly recreation areas within a short driving distance. Littlefield Recreation Area, located directly in Exira, offers full hookup sites, water access, and picnic facilities. Lake Anita State Park Campground in nearby Anita provides additional options for tent and RV camping with electrical hookups. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few locations like Prairie Rose State Park and Springbrook State Park also offering cabin accommodations for those seeking more sheltered options.
Camping in the Exira area typically operates seasonally, with most facilities open from spring through fall. Lake Anita State Park and Prairie Rose State Park specify their season as April 1 to December 31, while smaller city parks like Casey City Park and Adair City Park operate from May 1 to October 1. Many campgrounds provide amenities including electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations, though availability varies by location. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays at popular sites, particularly during summer months when lakeside spots fill quickly. A camper noted, "Quiet, zero traffic noise. Campsites spread out over 4 campgrounds" at Littlefield Recreation Area.
Lakefront camping represents a significant draw in the region, with several campgrounds situated around recreational lakes. Lake Anita State Park features sites overlooking the water, offering scenic views and water access for fishing and boating activities. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers particularly value the peaceful atmosphere and natural setting of these parks. "Beautiful sunset. We loved the drive into the campground and found a grove of oaks to camp under. Everyone slept great," one visitor wrote about Elkhorn Creek Recreation Area. Campers also mention the well-maintained facilities, with clean restrooms and shower houses frequently highlighted in reviews. Sites at some parks can be relatively close together, particularly at Lake Anita during busy periods, while others like Littlefield Recreation Area receive praise for their more spacious layout.
Best Camping Sites Near Exira, Iowa (83)
1. Lake Anita State Park Campground
26 ReviewsAnita, IA13 milesWebsite+1 (712) 762-3564$15 - $36 / night
"This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks."
"Beautiful lake, great walking trail, close to town and I-80, but quiet and peaceful. Can’t beat it for $11 a night."
2. Littlefield Rec Area
8 ReviewsExira, IA6 milesWebsite+1 (712) 268-2762"Nice campground and staff, town close by if you need more supplies, we like it here!"
"Lots of space around your site. Fills up fast on weekends. Would recommend this park."
3. Prairie Rose State Park Campground
17 ReviewsHarlan, IA17 milesWebsite+1 (712) 773-2701$16 - $50 / night
"These Iowa state parks are extremely clean and well taken care of. The lake is huge with multiple trails that the kids loved. Playground was directly behind us which is a plus for us."
"Reserved electric unit 090 for the weekend, which had a scenic corn field for a backdrop - this is Iowa!"
4. Adair City Park
11 ReviewsAnita, IA14 miles+1 (641) 742-3751$6 - $15 / night
"Based on other reviews we weren’t expecting much, but this spot is perfect for getting a good night’s rest when passing through Iowa."
"Park was clean and close to highway. Husband said bathrooms were clean enough. Didn't use the showers. Arrived around 10pm on a Tuesday and there were 3 spots left."
5. Elkhorn Creek Recreation Area
3 ReviewsExira, IA11 milesWebsite$18 - $20 / night
"We loved the drive into the campground and found a grove of oaks to camp under. Everyone slept great."
"It is connected to a preserve which has a myriad of trails as well as there being trails in the park. The bathroom in the main campground is closed and the water is off."
6. Albert the Bull Campground
2 ReviewsAudubon, IA9 milesWebsite+1 (712) 563-2742"Overall you can’t beat it for the price and location if you’re passing through or just want a little downtime."
7. Schildberg Recreation Area
3 ReviewsAtlantic, IA14 milesWebsite+1 (712) 243-3542$25 / night
"The trees at the campsites aren't mature enough for shade, but the ponds and trails more than make up for that."
8. Casey City Park
4 ReviewsStuart, IA20 milesWebsite+1 (641) 746-3315$10 / night
"This is a small little park off the highway, we had been traveling for two days and needed to stop for the night."
"clean accessible and a drive through a quaint little town. What else could you ask for?"
9. Springbrook State Park Campground
9 ReviewsGuthrie Center, IA25 milesWebsite+1 (641) 747-3591$14 - $200 / night
"Pros: Not a far drive from Des Moines, but still quite remote
-Lots of nice hiking trails
-Easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms
-The lake is a peaceful spot to spend the early mornings"
"You’ll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at."
Recent Camping Photos near Exira, IA
33 Photos of 83 Exira Campgrounds
Deb W.
Littlefield Rec Area
Katelyn K.
Lake Anita State Park Campground
N K.
Prairie Rose State Park Campground
SteveFagerhaug
The Hausbarn Heritage Park
Megan M.
Springbrook State Park Campground
Staci I.
Lenon Mill Park
Frank B.
Botna Bend County Park
Nicole B.
Lake Icaria Co Park
Ashley B.
Lake View Campground
Sarah H.
Arrowhead Park Campground
Charity T.
Des Moines West KOA Holiday
Matt S.
Green Valley State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Exira, IA
275 Reviews of 83 Exira Campgrounds
John C.
RangerArrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park
Worst canp I've ever paid for.
Tried this place twice. Horrible both times. They failed to mention this last time that the campground was going to become a parking lot for a nearby event at 0600.
- TTony
ScoutBeaver Lake Campground
Last Resort
Campsites flat and open with water view. Bathrooms were subpar and smells worse than pit toilets. This was a last resort booking as we weren’t finding places open with a shower due to time of year.
Owner was very friendly, but campground not worth the $32 per night charge.
- John C.Ranger
Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park
Nice park; not great for tents.
This is a nice and well maintained park, though some amenities were still closed for winter in mid-April. It is a popular spot for locals to fish and hang-out, which means there is a lot of noise at all hours. Most of the tent sites are near a large gravel parking lot, so it gets inconvenient. Otherwise, it is a nice place for the price - when everything is available.
MickandKarla W.
LegendLake Anita State Park Campground
Great Lake Views
The drive in from I-80 was easy, with plenty of signage leading to the campground. We made online reservations and went straight to our water and electric site( 50/30/20 amp), site 110. There was no formal check-in, other than park rangers posting your information at the site. The campground sites in this area are tiered, which didn’t leave much room to swing our 40’ fifth wheel for a back-in, but we managed. Site 110 had a nice, private yard and was not too far from the restrooms, although they were closed this time of year. There is a walking/biking trail around the lake, which we enjoyed while walking our dog, along with the lake view from our site. Overall, we enjoyed our two-night stay.
- Mark C.Scout
Des Moines West KOA Holiday
Koa
Very nice campground with running water,electricity and wifi. It's opened year round.
- SSteve S.
TravelerGreen Valley State Park Campground
Clean, great fishing, and plenty of activities
I’ve been here multiple times tent camping. Tent sites are right on the shore. Many spillways for fishing. ~10 mile loop you can hike or MTB. Restrooms, including the vaulted toilets, are kept clean. This is where we go for a low key weekend for fun.
Teresa T.LegendLittlefield Rec Area
Very nice park
Lots of spots with water and electric and right on the lake. Very friendly staff. 20 bucks a night. They were winterizing it during my stay and came by to tell me the services still open.
- Teresa T.Legend
Elkhorn Creek Recreation Area
Rustic but quiet. A trip to town is awesome
We are here on a tuesday in november, so we don't expect to see very many people. There are at least 10 spots. Half of that, with electricity and several primitive areas further up the hill where the sites are very pretty. I don't think this is a heavily used park. Probably mostly by hunters. It is connected to a preserve which has a myriad of trails as well as there being trails in the park. The bathroom in the main campground is closed and the water is off. Looks like the water hasn't been used in a while and there are landscaping flags about so im guessing renovations are planned. But the electricity is working. There is a pit toilet at the top of the hill where frankly the cutest camp spots can be found.
Just 3 miles away is the town of Elk Horn. You really need to go see it. I added some pictures and there is just an awesome amount of things to see there. Have fun.
Guide to Exira
Campgrounds near Exira, Iowa range from small city parks to larger state recreation areas. The region falls within USDA hardiness zones 5a to 5b, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Tent and RV sites throughout the area typically cost between $10-20 per night, with most parks offering electric hookups for an additional fee.
What to do
Kayaking on Prairie Rose Lake: Visitors to Prairie Rose State Park Campground can enjoy water activities on the lake. "An oasis of solitude. The park is somewhat small but laid out nicely. The lake isn't big but big enough to be useful," reports Brian F.
Hiking the nature trails: Several campgrounds offer walking paths through natural areas. Springbrook State Park Campground features "several hiking trails" according to Dean D., while another camper noted, "Lots of nice hiking trails. Easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms."
Fishing at local lakes: Many campgrounds provide fishing opportunities. At Springbrook State Park, one visitor mentioned, "Nice lake for the kids to go fishing." The lakes throughout the region are stocked with various fish species, making them suitable for both beginning and experienced anglers.
What campers like
Peaceful surroundings: Many campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere at Elkhorn Creek Recreation Area, where Anne K. noted, "We loved the drive into the campground and found a grove of oaks to camp under. Everyone slept great."
Well-maintained facilities: Cleanliness is frequently mentioned in reviews. At Schildberg Recreation Area, campers appreciate the amenities. Frank B. commented, "Full hookups, shower house and huge dog park are also onsite making this a Cass County hidden gem."
Digital disconnection: Some campers value places that force them to unplug. At Springbrook State Park, Megan M. noted, "No cell reception, which could be a 'con' but we like that it forces us to unplug." This creates an opportunity for more direct engagement with nature and fellow campers.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the area have limited operating seasons. Prairie Rose State Park specifies its season as April 1 to December 31, while smaller parks like Casey City Park operate from May 1 to October 1.
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities range widely across campgrounds. At Casey City Park, one camper reported, "The bathrooms were not the cleanest. The women's bathroom stalls did not function correctly, either the door wouldn't lock or it wouldn't close."
Site privacy considerations: Many campgrounds feature closely arranged sites. At Lake Anita State Park, Deb W. observed, "Nice state park with all the amenities, but, this State Park definitely needs to be updated to accommodate the bigger and wider campers. If you like to be on top of each other, this is your campground!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campsites near Exira, Iowa feature play areas for children. At Casey City Park, Melissa K. shared, "It also had a magnificent playground. My kids had been cooped up for two days and needed to run off some pent up energy and this was perfect."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Exira, IA?
Which is the most popular campground near Exira, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Exira, IA is Lake Anita State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 26 reviews.
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