Best Campgrounds near Gladbrook, IA

Central Iowa provides several established campgrounds near Gladbrook, including Union Grove State Park Campground just 2 miles south of town. This state park accommodates tent camping, RVs, and offers two rental cabins on its 282-acre property featuring a small lake. The campground network surrounding Gladbrook extends to nearby communities like Marshalltown, where Riverview Park Campground provides full hookup sites, and Beaman, home to Wolf Creek Recreation Area. Most campgrounds in the region support both tent and RV camping, while some properties like Pine Lake State Park in Eldora and Outback Campground in Tama also feature cabin rentals for those seeking more amenities.

Camping in the Gladbrook area follows typical Midwest seasonal patterns with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Union Grove State Park specifically operates from May 1 to September 30. "Great small town campground. Very quiet, especially on weekdays. Great place to take long walks with great paths and scenery," noted one visitor about nearby Prairie Bridges Park. The Iowa River influences several camping destinations in the area, with periodic flooding affecting riverside sites at locations like Pine Ridge Park in Steamboat Rock. Many campgrounds maintain electric hookups for RVs, while tent sites often have picnic tables and fire rings. Reservation requirements vary, with some state parks requiring advance bookings while county parks may operate on a first-come basis.

Water access represents a significant feature at most campgrounds near Gladbrook. Union Grove State Park offers fishing and non-motorized boating on its lake, while campers at Pine Lake State Park can enjoy both upper and lower lakes for paddling and fishing. A reviewer described Pine Lake as having "decent sized campsites, many having a great view of upper Pine Lake." Highway noise affects some locations, particularly Riverview Park in Marshalltown, where a visitor reported "it is right next to the highway. When I was there in a tent, the hog trucks would drive by all night (loud and smelly)." Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with several parks featuring hiking trails through wooded areas and along waterways. County parks typically offer more secluded camping experiences compared to the more developed state park facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Gladbrook, Iowa (89)

    1. Union Grove State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Garwin, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 473-2556

    $18 - $90 / night

    "Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing."

    "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."

    2. Wolf Creek Rec Area

    3 Reviews
    Gladbrook, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 345-2688

    $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."

    3. Riverview Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Marshalltown, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 754-5715

    4. Otter Creek Lake and Park

    3 Reviews
    Garwin, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 484-2231

    $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."

    5. Pine Lake State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Steamboat Rock, IA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 858-5832

    $12 - $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."

    6. Timmons Grove County Park

    3 Reviews
    Marshalltown, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 752-5490

    "There are good hiking trails, including a walk through some wildflowers. Bird watchers will love this place. Also expect to see deer and turkeys."

    7. Outback Campground & Resort

    3 Reviews
    Garwin, IA
    15 miles
    +1 (641) 484-3611

    "Jump into the nearby water and let the kids have a blast! Enjoy a nice fun night away from home!"

    8. T. F. Clark Co Park

    1 Review
    Gladbrook, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 484-2231

    $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."

    9. Rock Creek State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Kellogg, IA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 236-3722

    $12 - $40 / 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."

    10. George Wyth State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Cedar Falls, IA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 232-5505

    $12 - $20 / night

    "** Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.)"

    "On Cedar Valley bike trail (100+miles of interconnecting bike trial. major Hwy on two sides of park, sleeping in a tenet it was very noisy at night. and a train track close by (again at night)"

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Recent Reviews near Gladbrook, IA

257 Reviews of 89 Gladbrook Campgrounds


  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following 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.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both 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; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (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 the entrance 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!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Campground Diamond In The Rough

    Following 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.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (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; and (10) Overall the overnight price to stay here, whether RV or tent-camping is very cheap, so great value for $

    LOWLIGHTS: (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!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Black Hawk County Park

    On the bike trail

    Right on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp...

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Eagle City County Park

    Could be lovely but creeped me out

    Liked 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.

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • Isaac H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Deerwood Park

    Cash Only

    Good place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!

  • Clifton B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Very nice campground off the beaten path

    Wife 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.


Guide to Gladbrook

Camping spots near Gladbrook, Iowa offer various experiences across Tama County and the surrounding region. Located in central Iowa at an elevation of approximately 1,000 feet, the area experiences typical Midwest seasonal weather with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F from June through August. Winter camping isn't widespread, with most facilities closing between late October and April due to temperatures frequently dropping below freezing.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Union Grove State Park Campground provides lake fishing with good catches reported. "Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing," notes one camper who regularly visits the area.

Nature exploration: Wolf Creek Rec Area offers creek fishing and access to the Comet trail for hiking and biking. A visitor mentioned, "A nice campground located on the comet trail," highlighting this recreational option just minutes from Gladbrook.

Cultural attractions: The area features unique local attractions worth visiting. "Things to do nearby: Enjoy the lake, Matchstick Marvels in nearby Gladbrook," a camper at Union Grove suggests, referencing the local museum featuring intricate matchstick sculptures.

Water activities: Beyond fishing, several locations offer paddling opportunities. "We loved hiking here, and the cabins are campground are very nice," says a visitor about Pine Lake State Park Campground which features both upper and lower lakes.

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the region provide peaceful settings, especially during weekdays. "Small and quiet. A few trails to hike and a horse camp that I didn't have time to explore. Nice lending library as well," reports a visitor to Union Grove State Park.

Lake views: Rock Creek State Park Campground offers waterfront camping options. "Sunset over the lake! Found a great trail to hike, also the opportunity to rent a boat or paddlebord," says a camper who appreciated the scenery.

Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds frequently receive praise for cleanliness. "Bathroom/shower combos are nice (1 is ADA). Not far off the interstate," notes a Union Grove visitor, while another camper at Pine Lake comments that "Bathrooms and shower rooms are new and super clean. Campground is well kept."

Family-friendly amenities: Several locations feature playgrounds and recreational facilities. Wolf Creek Recreation Area has "a nice playground, which was a feature we enjoyed when my daughter was little," according to one regular visitor.

What you should know

Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds follow standard seasonal schedules. Union Grove operates May 1 to September 30, while Rock Creek State Park Campground is available from April 1 to December 31.

Highway noise: Some locations have noise challenges. At Riverview Park Campground in Marshalltown, a camper reports, "There's a bit of road noise, but there's lot of room here on a Tuesday. The grounds are well kept."

Site characteristics: Campsite quality and spacing varies considerably. "Sites both tent and RV are simply too close for you to enjoy the place. Camp fires every 10 feet," notes a visitor to Rock Creek State Park, offering a contrast to more spacious options.

Internet availability: Cell service is generally available, with some locations better than others. "Was able to get a clear view to the north for excellent Starlink reception," notes a camper at Riverview Park Campground, which may interest those needing connectivity.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Wolf Creek Recreation Area offers family-friendly amenities. "Well maintained campground. Small to midsize RVs, tent area. New (2) handicapped accessible shower house," notes a visitor, adding that the playground is a standout feature.

Swimming options: Water activities can keep children entertained. "This is one of our go to parks. Even when we don't camp, we love to swim here," shares a Union Grove State Park visitor, indicating reliable swimming conditions.

Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates. One visitor to T.F. Clark Co Park noted, "This campground is a real bargain. It was $10/night for any site, including the electric," making it suitable for families watching expenses.

Educational opportunities: Otter Creek Lake and Park offers nature-focused learning. "Nature Center offers education displays and programs. Lake offers paddling, fishing, etc.," reports a recent visitor, highlighting activities that can engage children.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, though water and sewer connections vary. "Full hook up for reason price. Has electric and water sites, too," notes a camper at Riverview Park Campground in Marshalltown.

Site leveling considerations: Some sites require extra attention to leveling. At Union Grove, a camper advises, "Some sites are off with level & weird (ie stairs/door open on an incline and away from the table), and our picnic table was sloped. So pick your site carefully."

RV size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "Well maintained campground. Small to midsize RVs, tent area," notes a visitor to Wolf Creek Recreation Area, indicating size restrictions that larger RV owners should consider before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Gladbrook, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Gladbrook, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 89 campgrounds and RV parks near Gladbrook, IA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Gladbrook, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gladbrook, IA is Union Grove State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gladbrook, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Gladbrook, IA.