Near Exira, Iowa, camping options include a mix of county and state parks with both lakeside and wooded settings. The terrain features rolling hills with elevation changes between 1,100-1,400 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler 50-70°F weather with occasional rainfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Anita State Park Campground offers a 171-acre lake stocked with fish. "The lake is beautiful, and we also saw people boating, kayaking, and fishing," notes one visitor who appreciated the recreational options beyond just camping.
Hiking trails: At Prairie Rose State Park Campground, trails surround the lake with various terrain. A camper shared: "This park surrounds the whole lake and you can explore everything by trail or water. Even though there are tons of campsites it does not feel at all crowded."
Biking routes: The paved recreation trail at Lake Anita provides exercise options. According to one review: "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."
Disc golf: Nations Bridge Park offers activities beyond standard camping. "There are horse shoe pits and even a frisby-golf course," notes one camper who enjoyed these additional recreational options.
What campers like
Peaceful lake views: At Prairie Rose State Park, the water views receive consistent praise. "Had a great time but it was hot and windy. The view of the lake is worth it all though. Lots of people out in boats, kayaks, and on the shore," reports one camper.
Spacious sites: Littlefield Rec Area provides campers with more room than some other area parks. A visitor noted: "Lots of space around your site. Fills up fast on weekends." Another mentioned: "Quiet, zero traffic noise. Campsites spread out over 4 campgrounds."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain good standards. "This is hands down one of the best campgrounds we've been to in the U.S. Everything is beautifully maintained from the grass covered campsites to the clean bathrooms and free showers," states one Lake Anita review.
Wildlife viewing: Prairie Rose offers nature observation opportunities. One visitor reported: "We saw bald eagles and deer very close to the tent," while another enjoyed "prairie wildlife such as a blue heron, geese, bald eagles, frogs etc."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds have more room between sites than others. At Lake Anita, a camper observed: "The campsites have you packed in like sardines," while another noted: "This State Park definitely needs to be updated to accommodate the bigger and wider campers."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be unreliable at certain parks. At Littlefield Rec Area, one visitor warned: "No cellular service available. I was able to get nominal service with an external antenna and booster."
Weekend crowds: Shady Brook Camping & RV Adventures and other area campgrounds can fill quickly during peak times. Plan accordingly, especially at Littlefield which "fills up fast on weekends" according to experienced campers.
Highway noise levels: Some campgrounds near highways experience traffic noise. At Shady Brook, reviews vary with one camper reporting "You could literally throw a rock from the entrance and hit a passing semi," while another contradicted: "We looked at the other reviews and it talked about it being so close to the freeway, but we didn't hear a sound."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near recreational facilities for convenience. At Lake Anita State Park, one camper shared: "We stayed at #70 which was a full hookup. It backed up the playground and bathrooms."
Swimming options: Several parks offer water activities. A visitor to Prairie Rose noted: "The kids enjoyed biking and swimming," though at Lake Anita, a camper observed: "Although swimming is also allowed, the beach was not the best for this activity."
Movie nights: Lake Anita State Park Campground provides special programming. "There is a park and on saturdays during the summer they do Disney movies and free popcorn," explains one review, highlighting a unique family-friendly feature.
Bathroom proximity: Consider location when choosing sites. At Prairie Rose, one visitor noted: "Only problem is that there are only 2 bathrooms far from each other so if you were to be in the middle it would be hard!"
Tips from RVers
RV access routes: For RV camping near Exira, Iowa, Nations Bridge Park offers straightforward approaches. A camper noted it's "about 6 easy miles off the interstate, and well marked," making it accessible for larger vehicles.
Full hookup availability: Littlefield Rec Area provides comprehensive services for RVs. "Very clean campground, lots of shade trees and full hook ups," reported one visitor, while another mentioned: "First time here, this place is very nice & peaceful, beautiful lake, spacious sites power & water at sites, 15, 30 & 50 amp."
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping offers solitude but with potential facility limitations. At Nations Bridge, a camper warned: "All the restrooms were locked for the season, and the only signage was on the doors of the facilities. No signage about the closures at the self registration."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature level sites for easier setup. At Nations Bridge, one visitor chose "a nice level spot in the upper section" after noting "the lower camp zone looks like it floods easily and was pretty muddy."
