Lake Iowa County Park sits about 45 miles west of Grinnell, Iowa, offering year-round camping access with 122 sites. The campground maintains clean facilities including hot showers and well-kept bathrooms. Several sites at Lake Iowa provide views of the water, with locations 67-70 particularly noted for their scenic vantage points.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Lake Iowa County Park features abundant wildlife including deer, rabbits, and blue jays. Campers can spot these animals right from their sites. "We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through," notes Leslie P. from Lake Iowa County Park.
Trail riding: Equestrian camping near Grinnell provides access to multiple trail systems. "We really enjoyed riding the trails here. Good facilities for our horses," reports Dorothy H. who visited Elk Rock State Park's equestrian area.
Eagle watching: During certain seasons, bald eagles congregate along the water's edge at Elk Rock. "We must have been there at just the right time, because lined all through the trees along the lakes edge were eagles upon eagles. I'd say we saw about 70 bald eagles perched in the trees," writes Jennifer M. from Equestrian Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the Grinnell region maintain high standards of cleanliness. "Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen," writes Randall K. about their stay at Lake Iowa County Park.
Affordable rates: Camping options near Grinnell offer good value. "$12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance," notes Keith B. about Keokuk County Belva Deer Park.
Fruit foraging: Some camping areas feature wild edibles for seasonal harvesting. "There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife," reports Leslie P. about Lake Iowa County Park.
What you should know
Campsite spacing: Sites at some parks can be close together, affecting air quality from neighboring campfires. "Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed," cautions Randall K. from Lake Iowa County Park.
Terrain challenges: Access to water features may require navigating elevation changes. "To walk to the lake or nearby pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for anyone with mobility issues," advises Leslie P. from Lake Iowa.
Climate considerations: The region experiences high humidity levels during summer months. "Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August. Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didn't expect the humidity to affect us as it did," shares Clifton B. from Lake Iowa County Park.
Tips for camping with families
Short-term stays: Several campgrounds work well for brief family visits. "Great place to spend one night. If I had more time, I would have gone paddle boarding or fishing on the lake," suggests Ken G. about Lake Iowa County Park.
Local attractions: Families can combine camping with visits to nearby towns. "Aside from the park, it's pretty close to Pella, which is a nice historic Dutch town. Good food and bars there to check out," recommends Jennifer M. from Elk Rock State Park.
Site selection: Request specific site numbers for optimal experiences. "I would say if you can try and get sites, 67-70. They have beautiful views," advises Leslie P. from Lake Iowa County Park.
Tips from RVers
Self-registration: Many campgrounds offer easy check-in systems. "We pulled in very late on a Weds night / Thursday morning. Self registration at the front," notes Claudia M. from Lake Iowa County Park.
Proximity to highways: Several equestrian camping options near Grinnell provide convenient access from major routes. "Not too far off the highway. Very clean and quiet," reports Ken G. about Lake Iowa.
Seasonal timing: Consider weather conditions when planning RV trips. "We went in the chillier months so the park definitely was not at its most scenic as it probably usually is," mentions Jennifer M. about her experience at Elk Rock State Park.
