Join the fun near Garwin. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Garwin. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Iowa camping adventure.
$30 - $90 / night
"A few trails to hike and a horse camp that I didn’t have time to explore. Nice lending library as well. Bathroom/shower combos are nice (1 is ADA). Not far off the interstate."
"Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing."
$10 - $20 / night
"Hidden gem in Iowa"
"This is a very nice quiet campground close to a nice small lake. We stayed in space 30 and this area has just had the electrical updated and the are adding some new spots right by the lake."
$10 - $17 / night
"Wolf Creek is a nice little campground near Beaman, IA (Beaman is very small, near Conrad as well which has a grocery store)."
"A nice campground located on the comet trail."
"Jump into the nearby water and let the kids have a blast! Enjoy a nice fun night away from home!"
$15 - $46 / night
"Stopped overnight on our way home from Iowa City. No reservations & took our chances on finding an electric site. Score! Neighbors were friendly."
"The RV section of campground was nearly full but the tent/non-hook up section had lots of space. One can camp on lakeside but be aware that these spots have a slope, not comfortable for my van."
"There are good hiking trails, including a walk through some wildflowers. Bird watchers will love this place. Also expect to see deer and turkeys."
$10 / night
"I did not check the water hydrant, or even try to locate it, since I brought my own water for one night of camping."
$15 - $90 / night
"This campground is near home so I know it well.
The campground itself is nice, with some decent sized campsites, many having a great view of upper Pine Lake. There are flush toilets and showers."
"Lovely views, great walking paths, quiet and picturesque lake. Bathrooms and shower rooms are new and super clean. Campground is well kept. We will definitely be back."
LegendFollowing up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.
Highs:(1) Fairly EZ access from I-80;(2) Incredibly well-manicured campground– very clean and well-organized;(3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe;(4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community;(5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas;(6) Picnic tables& fire rings are in pretty good condition;(6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton;(7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities;(8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond
Lows:(1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa;(2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG;(3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter;(4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors;(5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and/ or refurbished;(6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA;(7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG;(8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited
Happy Camping!
LegendFollowing up on my review from over a year and a half ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this county park campground gem in a very rural part of Iowa.
Highs:(1) EZ access and just a 20 minute/ 9 mile drive due south from I-80 via Exit 201;(2) Incredibly well-manicured campground– very clean and well-organized;(3) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community;(4) The RV area looks to be brand spanking-new and offers very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas as well as most have an excellent view of Lake Diamond;(5) The hiking trails and bountiful fishing spots make this a simply wonderful campground;(6) Incredibly simple honor system to accessing any site on a first-come, first-served basis– simply stick your money in an envelope and pick out whatever location suits you;(7) While basic, the bathhouses were in pretty good condition and very clean;(8) Kid’s playground is fantastic and nearly brand new;(9) Reasonably priced bundles of pre-cut firewood;(9) Overall the overnight price to stay here, whether RV or tent-camping is very cheap, so great value for $
Lows:(1) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic in here, although you are so far out in the boondocks, it’s not really much of a concern;(2) The newly minted RV area slopes down to the lake, but as you park perpendicular, it shouldn’t be an issue;(3) Also, because the RV area is new, there’s no trees or brush, which creates a lack of privacy between sites;(4) Nearly all of the RV slots– save the few that are right next to the lake- have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter;(5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors;(6) Picnic tables& fire rings, at least in the tent camping areas, are worn-out and in pretty poor condition and should be replaced or refurbished;(7) The water in Lake Diamond is quite dark and murky, so unless you are an adventurous soul, I don’t recommend swimming here
Happy Camping!
TravelerNice quiet spot. New concrete at the campsites. Pretty trails.
ScoutRight on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp...
GuideLiked the spot by the lake and we could have been the only ones there but we noticed a few things on the way to the site that was unsettling and then we were followed in by a truck that just went to the end of the loop then left, with the driver and passenger obviously not wanting to be seen. Weirded me out so we left. Felt unsafe.
GuideClean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.
GuideQuiet, clean little gem of a spot. Site was fairly level
ScoutGood place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!
ScoutWife and I met friends here in August 2025. This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY. The campground was very well maintained. Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional. We really enjoyed the long weekend here. Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August. 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. Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.
Camping near Garwin, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From scenic views to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.
Camping near Garwin, Iowa, has a lot to offer, from beautiful parks to friendly communities. Whether you’re in a tent or an RV, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Garwin, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Garwin, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 87 campgrounds and RV parks near Garwin, IA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Garwin, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Garwin, IA is Union Grove State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Garwin, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Garwin, IA.
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