Lake Iowa County Park and Lake Darling State Park offer year-round access for glamping in Fairfield, Iowa and surrounding areas. The region features several water bodies with fishing opportunities at elevations between 600-850 feet above sea level. Winter camping options exist at multiple locations with cabin accommodations maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures even during Iowa's coldest months.
What to do
Fishing from your site: At The Catfish Place Campground, campsites are positioned directly on a fishing pond. "My family stayed in our popup last September and it was great. Spot on beautiful pond. It was great to be able to fish from our site," notes Amy W.
Explore hiking trails: Lake Iowa County Park offers multiple trails with wildlife viewing opportunities. "There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife. We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through," explains Leslie P., who recommends sites 67-70 for the best views.
Kayaking without crowds: Lake Iowa County Park provides water activities with less congestion than other area lakes. Claudia M. found the campground unexpectedly appealing: "This place is huge. Bummed we needed to keep driving the next day- was very tempted to stay another night."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Keokuk County Belva Deer Park maintains excellent bathroom facilities. "You get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance. Stand-alone bathrooms throughout the park have the deep composting toilets," reports Keith B., who gave the park a perfect rating.
Budget-friendly rates: Lake Iowa Park offers affordable glamping near Fairfield with reasonable pricing. Randall K. notes, "$10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong? Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape."
Access to unique shopping: Waubonsie Trail Park connects to local attractions via trails. Tracy J. reports, "Waubonsie trail behind park is a short hike to the covered bridge and Dutchman's Store. Perfect way to stretch your legs after a long day on the road."
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: At Lake Iowa County Park, campsite proximity can affect air quality. "Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed," warns Randall K., who recommends closing windows when others have fires burning.
Lake access limitations: Not all sites have water views or easy water access. "Very few sites have a view of the lake. To walk to the lake or nearby pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for any one with mobility issues," cautions Leslie P.
Humidity factors: The region experiences significant humidity during summer months. Clifton B. at Lake Iowa County Park advises, "Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did. Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees."
Tips for camping with families
Kayak practice area: Indian Lake Park offers something for all age groups. Dave N. shares, "They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent. All very reasonably priced. There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach."
Campfire community areas: Some parks feature dedicated gathering spaces. Tracy J. from Waubonsie Trail Park mentions, "Horseshoe pit, playground and campfire swing area were nice surprises. All for under $20 for electric RV site! Great campground for a small group event."
Seasonal considerations: Consider fall visits for more comfortable temperatures. A Lake Iowa County Park visitor recommends, "Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall," after experiencing high summer humidity.
Tips from RVers
Self-registration process: Many parks offer after-hours check-in options. Claudia M. explains about Lake Iowa County Park: "We pulled in very late on a Weds night / Thursday morning. Self registration at the front. Looked like a decent amount of folks here but we didn't drive very far into the park."
Utilities and waste management: At Eveland Access, campers pay a flat daily rate for services. "20 bucks a day you submit your fill out sheet at the service area and drop it off in a drop box," reports Marie M. The campground includes shower facilities and modern restrooms.
Site selection strategy: When selecting RV sites, consider waste hookup placement. Several campgrounds offer full hookup sites with varying arrangements of utility connections, with prices typically ranging from $16-25 for electric sites and $20-30 for full hookups.
