Camping spots near Greenfield, Iowa include both state-maintained facilities and small city parks nestled within the rolling farmland of central Iowa. The region sits in the Western Corn Belt Plains ecoregion at elevations ranging from 1,100-1,400 feet, creating gently undulating terrain with mixed hardwood forests along river valleys. Summer visitors typically experience humidity levels above 70% with July temperatures averaging in the mid-80s.
What to do
Biking around lakes: Green Valley State Park Campground has a paved trail encircling the entire lake. "There is a nice trail to ride your bike around the lake and through the park. Don't leave your bike at home," notes one visitor to Green Valley State Park Campground.
Bird watching: Lake Anita features numerous bird houses throughout the park and provides habitats for various species. A camper mentioned, "If you like birds there are bird houses built all around the park. The lake is beautiful and the campground is built all around the lake with great views."
Exploring covered bridges: Winterset City Park serves as an excellent base for discovering Madison County's famous covered bridges. A visitor reports, "The John Wayne museum and downtown are a 20 minute walk away. This is our second visit there and I would go back again," making Winterset City Park a convenient starting point for bridge tours.
Swimming and wading: Several campgrounds offer water access for cooling off. At Mormon Trail County Park, "The lake has a very large, mostly shallow, swimming area, the water is absolutely perfect, along with a big sandy beach area."
What campers like
Well-maintained shower facilities: Lake Anita State Park earns praise for its clean facilities. "Everything is beautifully maintained from the grass covered campsites to the clean bathrooms and free showers," shares a reviewer at Lake Anita State Park Campground.
Convenient full hookup options: Many campers appreciate the amenities at Winterset City Park. One notes, "It was a good value for full hookup sites. The bathroom was decent, and phone service was adequate."
Quieter alternatives to rest areas: Casey City Park provides a peaceful alternative to highway rest stops. "It is far enough off I80 that you don't hear the traffic at night. When I arrived, I was the only one here. Later at night another camper showed up. It was nice and quiet," explains a visitor to Casey City Park.
Lakeside camping: Several parks offer direct lake access from campsites. At Green Valley State Park, "You can get a nice campsite right by the lake. This makes for great views when the sun is setting and rising."
What you should know
Seasonal operating dates: Most state parks operate from April through October or December, while city parks may have different schedules. Lake Anita and Green Valley State Park both run from April 1 to December 31.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. For Pammel County Park, one camper noted, "My only complaint would be all sites can be reserved, so if you don't reserve a site at beginning of the year, you are out of luck. Be nice if there were some first come/first serve."
Cell coverage limitations: Service varies significantly throughout the region. At Mormon Trail County Park, a visitor reported, "AT&T has absolutely no service there, but US cellular does," highlighting the importance of checking carrier coverage before arrival.
Bridge and tunnel restrictions: Some parks have height limitations. For Pammel County Park, "If you are over 12 ft, have to come in the back way," referring to a tunnel that restricts larger vehicles.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Casey City Park, a parent shared, "It also had a magnificent playground. My kids had been cooped up for two days and needed to run off some pent up energy and this was perfect."
Weekend activities: Some parks organize special events. A visitor to Des Moines West KOA Holiday mentioned, "There are many organized weekend activities for families," making it a good option for structured recreation.
Educational opportunities: The region offers historical and cultural sites near campgrounds. Winterset features "The John Wayne Birthplace and Museum, Covered Bridges," providing learning opportunities alongside outdoor recreation.
Swimming options: Lakes with designated swimming areas provide family-friendly water access. At Mormon Trail Park, "The lake has a very large, mostly shallow, swimming area," making it suitable for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds offer more separation between units than others. At Lake Anita, a reviewer cautioned, "This State Park definitely needs to be updated to accommodate the bigger and wider campers. If you like to be on top of each other, this is your campground!"
Extension cord requirements: Be prepared with extra-long hookup cables at certain parks. At Pammel County Park, a camper shared their experience: "The electric I had to use a 30 ft extension cord. Funny, I didn't have either and had to drive 24 miles to Walmart on a holiday to get them."
Access road limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. For Mormon Trail, "Big RV's/campers might have a difficult time getting there as the road turns into a one lane, curvy gravel road."
Leveling conditions: Site surfaces vary across the region. Pammel County Park campers noted, "The sites have a little concrete pad which makes it easier to level," providing useful information for RV setup.
