Tent and RV sites surround Lake Iowa Park near Garwin, with options ranging from lakeside spots to wooded areas. The campgrounds typically remain open from early spring through late autumn with most facilities closing between December and March. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, making water recreation popular during peak season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Rock Creek State Park Campground, anglers target crappie and largemouth bass in various lake environments. "Rock Creek is known for its crappie and large mouth bass fishing. The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas and you can go over by the bridge and fish the rocks," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: Several parks offer walking paths with varying difficulty levels. "There is a nice hiking trail around the lake, about 8 miles complete loop. There is a bit of elevation change and not many opportunities to 'bail out' so take water and pace yourself," mentions a camper at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground.
Water recreation: Boat rentals and water access points provide kayaking and canoeing options. "You can rent fishing boats, pontoons, kayaks, and canoes," explains a reviewer at Rock Creek State Park. Another camper adds, "I have often head here for a few days in the Spring and Summer for a day of fishing. My son and I like to get the canoes and Kayaks out and paddle around the lake."
What campers like
Peaceful camping spots: Otter Creek Lake and Park receives praise for its tranquil setting. "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 they are adding some new spots right by the lake," shares one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Multiple parks maintain well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. At Lake Iowa County Park, a camper reports, "Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen."
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through," notes a Lake Iowa County Park visitor. Another mentions, "Saw lots of deer and rabbits right outside our door."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Facilities operate on different schedules. "We visited one week before the water and modern bathrooms were ready, so that was challenging. The park seemed a little rough to be on the cusp of true spring camping," reports a camper at Rock Creek State Park.
Site spacing concerns: At some locations, campsites can be quite close together. "The RV sites are close and busy. Grass and shade. Tenting area had a much quieter vibe," notes a Rock Creek State Park visitor. Another camper cautions, "The sites both tent and RV are simply too close for you to enjoy the place. Camp fires every 10 feet."
Reservation systems: Booking requirements vary between parks. Thomas Mitchell County Park offers flexibility for last-minute stays. "We were pleasantly surprised when we found an open spot that we could make a same day reservation and payment online. There are QR codes at each site that you can scan to quickly and easily do this on the spot."
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration: Thomas Mitchell County Park offers stream access for children. "Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat. There is even a pond for fishing that you can take a trail from the campsite to," explains a visitor.
Educational opportunities: Ashton Wildwood Park features an observatory for stargazing. "The observatory that's open on Saturday's (except the 1st Saturday) was awesome and the astronomers were great people and very knowledgeable. They showed how their telescopes worked and took us a tour of the building and classroom."
Playground access: Multiple parks maintain dedicated children's areas. "For little ones, there is a large sand playground area with slides and swings. There is a sand beach to swim, where they also rent kayaks and canoes," notes a camper describing facilities at a nearby state park.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookups: Kellogg RV Park provides full service connections. "Level sites with full hookups. Plenty of space to walk the dog. Right next to a gas station with great burgers and tenderloins," shares one RV camper.
Site selection: Choosing the right location within a campground matters. "IMHO the best sites are those located as far east and north as possible. Why? Well, because they will be furthest away from I80, so less noise, plus they are on the periphery, so this offers up better views of corn country," advises an experienced Kellogg RV Park visitor.
Campsite extras: Many locations include amenities beyond basic hookups. "The camping is very nice. There are RV electrical sites available along with water/sewage. Most of them have tables also," notes a Rock Creek State Park camper. "Picnic tables and fire rings are like brand new," adds another RVer.
