Spring Lake County Park and surrounding areas offer several glamping and camping options within a 25-mile radius of Jefferson, Iowa. The region features rolling hills with elevations between 1,000-1,200 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with some sites offering year-round accommodations depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Disc golf at Swan Lake: The park features a complete disc golf course perfect for beginners and experienced players. "Tented camped in late October, the weekend before closing. Beautiful park with playgrounds, swim beach, frisbee golf, paved trail, many fishing bars, and more," notes RN P. from Swan Lake State Park Campground.
Roller skating in season: The historic open-air skating rink at Spring Lake offers a unique activity not common at most campgrounds. One camper reported, "Swiming, fishing, and skating?? Awesome campground with lots to do!" according to Emily at Spring Lake Park.
Trail exploration: Many parks feature interconnected trail systems. A visitor at Ledges State Park Campground shared, "The hiking trails are cool. I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc. The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them!"
What campers like
Waterfront camping access: Direct lake access for fishing and water activities ranks high with campers. According to Taylor A., "Very nice park you can pull your rig right up to the lake there is fishing and hiking. Can rent kayaks paddle boats you name this place is a nice quiet place to camp."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities make a significant difference. A camper at Jester County Park noted, "We had a great stay here, check in was easy, getting firewood was easy, the bathhouses were so clean and nice, hiking and views were amazing!"
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer reasonably priced sites. At Sportsman Park, Bethanie S. reports, "I rented a primitive tent site for two nights and it was $20. The self-registration was super simple!" The park features modern facilities despite the low cost.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. "Swede point in the fall with some friends on a whim - first come, first served - if you're going on a nice weekend, make sure to head out Friday morning to claim a spot," advises MitchRoeschlein at Swede Point Park.
Water access points: Water availability differs between campgrounds. One camper noted about Swede Point: "only two water connections for the camp," which could mean waiting during peak usage times.
Seasonal activities: Many amenities operate on limited schedules. A visitor at Spring Lake mentioned, "Unfortunately the skate arena was closed for the season. Lots of trails to choose from and spacious campsites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks feature well-maintained play areas. Dave M. notes that Sportsman Park includes "a shelter, a playground with slides and swings, and a bigger building you can reserve."
Swimming beaches: During summer months, designated swimming areas provide safe water recreation. At Swan Lake, Shane T. reports, "Great trail all the way around the lake, we took a bike ride around it was about 3 ish miles. Camp host was a gem. Bathrooms were very clean!"
Special weekend activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events. "The Des Moines West KOA was awesome - from the site service firewood and food delivery, to the location and people who stopped here in their travels," shared a visitor about the amenities at this glamping destination.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds have varying levels of privacy between sites. At Don Williams Park, Steve B. notes, "Peaceful camping with lots of room, 50 amp hook ups and water easily available."
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer sanitary dump facilities. James M. reported about Don Williams Park: "Camped by tent, basic amenities on-site-fire ring, table, etc. Went kayaking on lake and then on Des Moines River (close by)."
Level site locations: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. RN P. observes about Swan Lake, "Electric only sites are small and spaced out well. Most have level drive perfect for sm camper or suv camping. Grass has slope, but I think you can find a good enough place for tent."
