Kalona, Iowa sits at an elevation of 640 feet in the eastern part of the state, with the surrounding area characterized by gently rolling farmland and wooded areas along the English River. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Winter camping is available at select locations, though visitors should expect below-freezing temperatures from December through February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Darling State Park Campground offers excellent fishing in its recently restored lake. "I absolutely loved this state park. There is so many options for fishing and camping," notes one visitor, while another mentions "Great fishing and walking paths."
Hiking trails: The area features diverse walking paths ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. At Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground, "Beautiful trails, stone gazebo. Nice hike along the Cedar River," according to one camper. Another reports: "Lots of intense trails to explore but some tree were in the way due to a past storm."
Kayaking and canoeing: Multiple water recreation options exist within a short drive of Kalona. A visitor to Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground shared: "My son and I like to get the canoes and Kayaks out and paddle around the lake. The fish cleaning stations are well maintained and the location is not too far away from town."
What campers like
Proximity to nature: Campers consistently mention wildlife sightings. At Lake Iowa County Park, one visitor noted, "The area around the lake and near by pond, is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife. We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for their amenities. One camper at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground observed, "Cabins were nice - not luxury or glamping but clean and in good condition. The gentleman that takes care of the campground takes great pride in his work and it shows."
Affordable options: Budget-conscious travelers have several choices for glamping near Kalona, Iowa. At Lake Iowa County Park, a camper commented on the value: "Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen. $10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong?"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. Little Bear Campground operates on a responsive system: "I called at the last minute. No answer, left a message. Mike called back within 5 minutes! Nice guy, gave us a spot."
Highway noise: Certain campgrounds are located near major roads. At Little Bear Campground, a camper reported, "Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park... I was surprised that the interstate noise was much quieter than I thought it would be."
Site spacing: When seeking upscale glamping near Kalona, consider site proximity. At Lake Iowa County Park, one visitor warned: "The spots are pretty close together. 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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with children, some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Cedar River Campground, "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids," according to a visitor.
Swimming options: Several parks provide swimming access during summer months. A camper at Cedar River Campground shared: "Recently under new ownership, you can tell they've been working hard getting the place going again. Yes, you hear traffic, but it didn't bother us. They had a great fireworks display for the fourth."
Educational opportunities: The area provides natural learning experiences. At Lake Darling State Park, "We had a cross country meet here. Came back to camp. Loved exploring the area," one visitor mentioned, while another shared, "There is a long concrete multi use path along the lake and into the cabin area."
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Different campgrounds offer varying hookup options. At Palisades-Kepler State Park, sites include electric hookups with seasonal availability. One RVer noted, "Nice campground with some newer facilities, well kept up and clean. There are 2 parts to the campground, both nice and fairly full-but not completely on the weekend we stayed."
Site leveling: The terrain varies across campgrounds. At Palisades-Kepler State Park, a visitor cautioned, "Campsites kinda small and hilly," while another mentioned, "Sites were fairly level and all pretty close to the showers/restrooms, and well spaced out between sites."
Accessibility: Some glamping locations near Kalona may present mobility challenges. One visitor to Lake Iowa County Park advised: "Very few sites have a view of the lake. To walk to the lake or near by pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for any one with mobility issues. Once down to the water trail are easy to walk."
