Camping options near Hampton, Iowa range from basic tent sites to upscale glamping accommodations across several county and state parks. Located in north-central Iowa's Franklin County, the area features gentle rolling terrain with elevations around 1,100-1,200 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity levels, while spring and fall offer milder temperatures in the 45-70°F range.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Clear Lake State Park Campground provides excellent fishing access with multiple species available. "Great campground. Family and friends get together a must here. Close to the beach, town and the lake has great fish. Reserve early!" notes one visitor. The park maintains clean facilities with spacious sites, making it ideal for extended fishing trips.
Swimming beaches: Airport Lake Park Campground offers a designated swimming area with sandy shores. A camper mentioned, "Small lake for fishing and swimming working walking distance." The beach area is well-maintained and provides a refreshing option during hot summer days without requiring additional travel.
Hiking trails: Pilot Knob State Park Campground features multiple hiking paths through wooded areas. "Great hiking trails," shared one visitor. The park also contains historic CCC structures including an observation tower that requires a two-mile walk or drive from the campground area.
Biking networks: George Wyth State Park Campground connects to an extensive trail system. "If you are a biker there is a wonderful bike path. It will take you all the way through Cedar Falls and Waterloo you could bike all day long," reports one camper. The Lake-to-State Park Bike Route offers a 50-mile connection between Pine Lake and George Wyth.
What campers like
Budget-friendly rates: Dows Pool Park & Campground provides economical camping options. "Reasonable rates (I think we paid $15) for one night," reports one visitor. Another camper confirmed the value, noting "Very low cost ($15/night with water & electric)." Most sites include electric hookups and water access for these affordable rates.
Natural soundscapes: Little Wall Lake County Park offers peaceful audio environments with wildlife sounds. "The frogs in the nearby swamp were fun to hear. Lots of birds too," mentioned one visitor. The park features spacious sites along a small lake away from urban noise pollution.
Clean facilities: Clear Lake State Park maintains well-kept amenities. "The park is clean, the shower house is nice," notes one camper. Another mentions, "Bathrooms clean, nice warm showers!" These facilities make extended stays more comfortable and convenient for all campers.
Spacious sites: Airport Lake Park Campground provides generous camping spaces. "Camper spots were huge with plenty of space between sites. Fire ring was on a cement slab," reports a visitor. This additional room creates more privacy and comfort compared to more densely arranged campgrounds.
What you should know
Campground layouts: Some parks have site arrangement challenges. At Pilot Knob State Park, "The layout of the campground would be challenging if all sites were occupied," according to one review. Similarly, at Clear Lake State Park, "The paved roads leading to the sites are very narrow and would appear to be one-way but are not designated as such, resulting in some confusion."
Seasonal conditions: Little Wall Lake County Park can experience strong winds. "This is a nice small camp area that only has one downfall: a lack of wind break. We went when the wind was blowing in typical Iowa summer fashion," shared one camper. Spring and fall camping may offer milder conditions.
Flooding potential: George Wyth State Park Campground occasionally experiences water issues. "Because it is so close to river anytime it rains heavily there is flooding in several areas of the park. And almost every year (usually late summer, early fall) it rains enough to flood a good portion of the park," warns a regular visitor.
Reservation timing: During peak season, securing spots requires advance planning. "Sad that there were so many back up sites over the holiday weekend, would have liked to have been able to camp here. It being full more than a week before the holiday, shows how great it is," noted a visitor to Clear Lake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Clear Lake State Park offers quality play equipment. "The playground was fun for the kids, nice beach access!" reports one family. Another mentions, "The playground has nice, safe equipment for the little kids." These areas provide entertainment options directly within the camping area.
Group camping setups: Airport Lake Park provides specialized group arrangements. "We camped with family in the group circle site. The circle group site has a nice big area for the kids to play," shares a visitor. This configuration creates a communal space while maintaining individual site functionality.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Cedar Bend Park offers natural exploration options. "The trails and hiking was the best part though. We went for hours with our dogs and had so much fun. They were easy. Some right along the river, some grassy and along fields, others ran though the woods," reports a camper. These varied environments provide educational opportunities for children.
Shower considerations: Families should note shower setup limitations. At George Wyth State Park, "Push button showers are not ideal. Just keep pushing that button and hopefully you'll be okay with the temperature that you can't control!" At Clear Lake, "It's hard to control the temperature in the showers, too hot for little kids to stand directly in the water."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Cedar Bridge County Park provides essential services. "There are about 20 self-serve sites with electric and water. Self serve firewood. Dump station and dumpsters near the exit," notes one RVer. This combination of amenities allows for extended stays with convenience.
Site levelness: Campgrounds vary in pad quality. At Pilot Knob State Park, "Not all sites are level, and most do not have delineated parking pads (there is a small pavement indent to show where to access the site)." RVers should bring leveling blocks for most area campgrounds.
First-night options: Pilot Knob offers convenient initial setup for new RV owners. "If you are picking up a camper from Lichtsinn RV in Forest City they offer to let you stay on their lot with electric hookups during your pick up. But, we found it a little more private and less intimidating to set up camp down the road just a few miles at Pilot Knob State Park," shared a visitor.
Cell service quality: Connectivity varies between providers. At McIntosh Woods, campers report "3 bars T-Mobile." This information helps remote workers and those needing to maintain communication while glamping near Hampton, Iowa.
