Best Campgrounds near Grinnell, IA

Camping near Grinnell, Iowa, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

• Hiking and Trails: Many campgrounds have trails for hiking. For example, at Jester County Park, one reviewer mentioned, "Numerous shade trees, gravel pad and room for our 20' trailer and TV. CG has a kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course and nature center."
• Water Activities: If you enjoy being near water, Lake Macbride State Park Campground is a great choice. A visitor noted, "The campground area is clean. Showers and toilets are clean. The RV section of campground was nearly full but the tent/non-hook up section had lots of space."
• Fishing and Boating: At Sugar Bottom Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. One camper shared, "This campground is awesome. Very clean, for me the star attraction here was the solo bathroom & shower both together with lockable door for extreme privacy when needed."

What campers like

• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean restrooms and showers. A review for Lake Macbride State Park Campground highlighted, "Clean bathrooms, good Starlink north clearing (site 13), right next to trails, quiet."
• Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. At Prairie Flower Recreation Area, a camper mentioned, "The whole campsite was paved and our site (#81) had a beautiful lake view."
• Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff. One visitor at Bob Shelter Recreation Area said, "Friendly hosts & Rangers."

What you should know

• Reservations: Some campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A review for F. W. Kent Park noted, "Easy to get to, very well maintained, electric hookups with 120 volt power outlets."
• Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. At Rock Creek State Park Campground, a camper pointed out, "The biggest downside: hard to tell until you see your site if you have water pump close enough!"
• Wildlife: Be aware of local wildlife. A visitor at Yellow Banks County Park mentioned, "Other campers warned us not to leave anything out at night because teenagers come through sometimes looking for stuff to steal."

Tips for camping with families

• Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. At Jester County Park, one review highlighted, "Camped in the upper CG site#145. Numerous shade trees, gravel pad and room for our 20' trailer and TV."
• Family-Friendly Activities: Choose campgrounds with activities for all ages. A camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives."
• Safety: Keep an eye on kids near water. A review for Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "The beach was a plus for the kids as well."

Tips from RVers

• Site Size: Check the size of the sites before booking. One RV user at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
• Electric Hookups: Ensure your site has the right hookups. A review for Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Some 30 amp and some 50 amp sites."
• Dump Stations: Look for campgrounds with convenient dump stations. A visitor at Bob Shelter Recreation Area said, "Dump station and water fill in the back."

Camping near Grinnell, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Enjoy the great outdoors!