Crawford Creek County Rec Area provides tent, RV, and cabin camping options within 15 miles of Ida Grove, Iowa. Campsites in this region average $10-19 per night, with peak season running May through September. The area features prairie terrain with rolling hills, located in the Little Sioux River watershed with several lakes and water access points for recreation. Campgrounds range from basic primitive sites to developed areas with electric hookups and modern facilities.
What to do
Fishing access: Blue Lake at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground offers shoreline fishing near campsites. "Great fishing and is very well maintained not to mention that they have a replica of the Boat that Lewis and Clark traveled on many years ago," notes Katie S.
Kayaking routes: Multiple water access points for paddlers at Crawford Creek Recreation Area. "Water good for fishing, kayaking and swimming," states Megan H. The Little Sioux River provides several launch points at county parks.
Swimming areas: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Ida Grove offer water recreation. "Large site under trees with mix of sun & shade. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak," explains Sharon T.
What campers like
Affordable rates: Peters Park charges modest fees for amenities provided. "Nice, clean, quiet, lake for swimming and fishing, playground, store, movie nights for kids on Fri and Sat," reports Adam.
Family-focused recreation: Campgrounds offer various entertainment options. "Multiple play areas for kids. Water good for fishing, kayaking and swimming. Nice cabins for rent," according to a camper at Crawford Creek Recreation Area.
Quiet surroundings: Smaller county parks provide peaceful camping experiences. "Small park, peaceful, river access for canoe/kayak. No designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper," writes Joshua D. about Ranney Knob Area.
What you should know
First-come sites: Many local campgrounds don't take reservations. "All sites are first come first serve. We arrived on a Saturday evening around 5:30pm and found a site no problem," shares Tim K. about Little Sioux Park Campground.
Limited amenities: Primitive sites have basic facilities. "Small quiet campground. I only saw 3 sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more. $10 per night and the Rangers came at about 3:30 pm to clean the vault toilet and collect my fee from the lockbox," notes Kent H. about Stieneke Area Park.
Varying facility quality: Thirty Acres Campground offers different levels of comfort. "Beautiful view of the lake! Multiple options of camping sites. Clean RR and showers. Nice area!" reports Lynz N.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "This campground was perfect for a small family reunion. We rented out their 3 cabins and had a whole area to ourselves. The kids could walk down to the sand and a bridge," shares MomOfBoys W. about Yellow Smoke Park.
Weekend activities: Some parks offer scheduled events. "Store, movie nights for kids on Fri and Sat," mentions Adam about Peters Park, making it ideal for family weekend trips.
Beach swimming: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Ida Grove offer beach access. "Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition," notes Sharon T.
Tips from RVers
Site utilities: Check hookup locations before setting up. "Utility location did require us to use a longer hose and extension cord to reach from our site," advises Bruce P. at Camp Crescent Park.
Dump station access: Lewis and Clark State Park has limitations. "The dump station is a tight squeeze for anything other than a small bumper pull camper," warns Pat V.
RV site spacing: Consider site proximity during busy periods. "Nice level campground right on the water and in town. Many types of sites available from full hook to dry camping. Some paved but most are gravel sites. Gets busy on the holidays and some areas are pretty tight if your pulling a large unit," explains Bruce P.
Ranger
