Lake Anita State Park and surrounding county parks offer diverse camping options near Exira, Iowa. Located in the rolling hills of southwestern Iowa, the area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with seasonal temperature ranges from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Campgrounds typically offer both shaded and open sites to accommodate varying weather conditions throughout the camping season.
What to do
Biking trails: Lake Anita State Park Campground features a four-mile paved recreation trail circling the entire 171-acre lake. "The best feature of this park, in my opinion, is the four-mile paved recreation trail that goes around the entire 171-acre lake. Good for walking, running, or biking," notes a reviewer from Lake Anita State Park Campground.
Kayaking and fishing: Spring Lake County Park provides direct lake access for fishing and paddling. "The best waterfront camping we have found near us. Small friendly community of camping. Door to door ice and concession delivery," writes a camper who visited Spring Lake County Park.
Frisbee golf: Several parks offer disc golf courses among their recreational amenities. "There are campsites along the lake with easy access to shoreline. There is a playground and disc golf. There is a roller rink and a concession stand," reports a visitor to Spring Lake County Park.
Skating rink experience: A unique attraction at Spring Lake County Park is its open-air roller skating rink. "Skating rink from Memorial Day through Labor Day every year. Great long-term hosts really make this park feel like going home," mentions one regular visitor.
What campers like
Nature views: Many campsites offer lakeside locations with scenic views. "The campsites have you packed in like sardines. It would have been nice if the mowing was all the way down to the lake instead of just a patch," notes a reviewer about Green Valley State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained shower houses and restrooms rank high on campers' priority lists. "The bathrooms were a little beat up, but clean. Best part, it was only $10," reports a visitor to Casey City Park.
Yurt accommodations: For those seeking alternative yurt camping near Exira, Iowa, Pammel County Park offers unique structures. "My only complaint would be all sites can be reserved, so if you don't reserve a site at beginning of the year, you are out of luck," advises a camper who stayed at Pammel County Park.
Value pricing: Many campgrounds in the region offer reasonable rates compared to other areas. "This is a small little park off the highway, we had been traveling for two days and needed to stop for the night... Pros -- it was $10 a night, that's decent!" shares a Casey City Park visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak season, securing spots in advance is essential. "Campsite was pretty packed on a Saturday night in late September. We didn't have a reservation but was able to get one of the last tent sites available," reports a visitor to Green Valley State Park Campground.
Site spacing varies: Campground layouts differ significantly across the area. "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!" warns a Lake Anita visitor.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October. "This is a very busy campground in the summer. There are reservable sites on mycountyparks.com," notes a Spring Lake County Park camper.
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience railway noise. "Nice campground, pretty spread out at a nice lake. Only downside is that it is close to the traintracks," mentions a Lake Anita State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Winterset City Park features child-friendly play areas. "It sits right next to a park. White rock roads and pads. It has some full hook up sites as well as water and electric sites," reports a recent visitor.
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming beaches for kids. "Swiming, fishing, and skating?? Awesome campground with lots to do!" enthuses a Spring Lake County Park visitor.
Budget-friendly activities: Local attractions provide affordable entertainment. "This place is really family friendly. Plenty of camping spaces, some right next to the lake. Swimming area, concession stand, boat rentals, and even a skating rink on the weekends," notes another Spring Lake County Park camper.
Historical attractions: The Winterset area features covered bridges and museums. "The John Wayne museum and downtown are a 20 minute walk away. This is our second visit there and I would go back again," shares a Winterset City Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Be prepared with extension cords and hoses at some campgrounds. "There are water hook ups, I just had to use 75 feet of hose to get to it. And the electric I had to use a 30 ft extension cord," advises a camper from Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds.
Height restrictions: Watch for low clearance areas in some parks. "If you are over 12 ft, make sure and take the detour around the tunnel," warns a Pammel County Park visitor regarding access routes.
Off-peak advantages: Consider visiting during weekdays for more space. "We were there on a Sunday in August and the dumpster was overflowing, likely due to a large weekend crowd; I would expect that it would be emptied on Monday," notes a Lake Anita State Park visitor.
Satellite reception: Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds. "Pretty grounds with woodland coverage on all sides in addition to the lake. We visited in August and realized it was prime family vacation time before school starts up again, so a little crowded and noisy," shares a Green Valley camper.
