Lake Iowa County Park near Homestead offers a variety of camping experiences within a landscape of rolling hills and prairie. The park sits at approximately 800 feet above sea level and features a mix of wooded areas and open grasslands. The camping season typically runs year-round with peak visitation from April through October when temperatures range from 60°F to 85°F.
What to do
Hiking along Cedar River: At Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground, trails follow the scenic river. "Beautiful trails, stone gazebo. Nice hike along the Cedar River. Only camped once, but definitely on the list to visit again," notes Brett G. The park's terrain offers moderate difficulty with elevation changes.
Lake activities: Lake Iowa County Park provides water recreation on its small lake. "If I had more time, I would have gone paddle boarding or fishing on the lake," says Ken G. The lake allows non-motorized watercraft and has designated fishing areas with catches including bass and panfish.
Mini-golf and swimming: Cedar River Campground features recreational amenities for families. "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids," shares Jackie J. The mini-golf course costs $3 per person and the pool is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Wildlife observation: The natural areas near camping options provide habitats for local animals. "We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through," mentions Leslie P. Early morning and dusk offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of shower facilities. "Shower house and bathrooms were really nice! Wasn't expecting to want to take a shower but couldn't pass up the opportunity when we saw them. Very hot water," reports Claudia M. from Little Bear Campground.
Tent camping privacy: Some parks offer more secluded tent sites. "The tent sites are very nice and private. There are waist high prairie flowers between the sites to provide privacy and beauty," explains Ann B. These sites typically feature level ground with nearby water access points.
Yurt camping options: While traditional yurt camping near Homestead, Iowa is limited, several parks offer alternative glamping accommodations. "The campground takes great pride in his work and it shows," one visitor notes. Structures similar to yurts provide shelter with basic amenities.
Waterfront access: Rock Creek State Park Campground offers sites near the water. "You can reserve some spots right on the water and fish from your tent," explains Willy W. The park maintains these premium sites with fire rings and picnic tables.
What you should know
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby highways. "It is right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400," reports Jackie J. Sites farther from road access generally offer quieter conditions.
Site spacing varies: Campground density differs significantly between locations. "The sites both tent and RV are simply too close for you to enjoy the place. Camp fires every 10 feet," notes Bruce K. about Rock Creek State Park.
Weather preparedness: The area experiences typical Midwestern humidity and weather patterns. "Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didn't 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," shares Clifton B.
Seasonal considerations: Availability and conditions change throughout the year. "The pool was closed for the evening cleaning, so we didn't get to use it," mentions a reviewer at Cedar River Campground. Most amenities operate fully from late spring through early fall.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Pinicon Ridge Park offers exceptional playground facilities. "Our kids had more fun at this campground than any other so far. They have the most amazing playgrounds (yes, two of them!) That we've ever seen," shares Chelsea D. The playgrounds feature rubber composite ground surfaces for safety.
Water recreation options: Several parks offer swimming and boating for children. "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," explains Willy W. Rental equipment is available at some locations.
Trail difficulty levels: Consider trail ratings when planning hikes with children. "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," advises Mitch C. Shorter trail options exist at most parks for younger children.
Storm preparedness: Some campgrounds offer storm shelters for safety. "Storm shelter right on site. Playground is awesome for kids of all ages," notes Beau Z. about Pinicon Ridge Park. Checking weather forecasts before arrival is recommended.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Many RV sites require minimal leveling equipment. "The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table," reports Clint G. about Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground. Most sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet.
Electric hookup options: Amperage varies between campgrounds. "There are RV electrical sites available along with water/sewage. Most of them have tables also," explains Willy W. Electric sites typically cost $16-33 per night depending on amperage and water availability.
Dump station access: Facilities for waste disposal are available at most parks. "No water or sewer at the sites but there are water spigots dispersed through the campground and full dump station as you come in/leave," shares Elisha L. Dump stations generally remain open throughout the camping season.
Site reservation recommendations: Popular weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. "On the weekends it's pretty busy but during the weekday it empties out," notes a reviewer. Reservations can be made up to three months in advance at most locations.
