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Best Campgrounds near Oskaloosa, IA

244 Reviews

Oskaloosa, Iowa serves as a hub for several established campgrounds offering diverse accommodation options. Lake Keomah State Park Campground, located about 5 miles east of Oskaloosa, provides year-round camping with electric hookups, showers, and toilets for both tent and RV campers. Eveland Access, situated west of town along the South Skunk River, features boat-in access and supports tent camping, RVs, cabins, and glamping opportunities. The broader region includes Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Lake Red Rock, approximately 15 miles northwest of Oskaloosa, where Howell Station and Wallashuck campgrounds offer additional developed camping options.

Campground amenities vary significantly throughout the region, with most developed sites providing electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Lake Keomah State Park offers fifty-amp and thirty-amp hookups, sewer connections, and sanitary dump stations, while Eveland Access provides drinking water, electric hookups, and showers. Reservations are recommended for many campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays. Weather conditions remain favorable for camping from April through October, with several campgrounds closing for the winter season. One camper noted, "Great camp grounds! New showers and toilets. Easy access. Not far from Oskaloosa."

The camping experience near Oskaloosa benefits from proximity to water recreation. Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake, anchors several highly-rated campgrounds with boat ramps and fishing access. Campers consistently mention the quality of facilities and natural surroundings as highlights. A visitor to Howell Station wrote, "Great fishing, bike trail right next to the campsite. Great views too. Dam is right there and you can fish." Many campgrounds in the area feature newly renovated shower facilities and clean restrooms. Diamond Lake County Park, about 20 miles north of Oskaloosa, offers lakeside primitive camping with fishing docks and boat ramps. The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some locations like Eveland Access also offering cabin options for those seeking more comfort.

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Best Camping Sites Near Oskaloosa, Iowa (90)

    1. Eveland Access

    3 Reviews
    Oskaloosa, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 673-9327

    $20 / night

    "Not far from oskaloosa."

    2. Lake Keomah State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Oskaloosa, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 673-6975

    $12 - $40 / night

    "There is a beach to swim, and great fishing in the lake."

    3. Howell Station

    6 Reviews
    Pella, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    $22 - $24 / night

    "We will be staying here every year, this is the best site we've stayed at in central Iowa. Great fishing, bike trail right next to the campsite. Great views too. Dam is right there and you can fish."

    "Howell Station is one out of five COE CG's that are around Lake Red Rock. CG is well kept, has a bike/walking path that borders the River and winds through the woods."

    4. Diamond Lake County Park

    10 Reviews
    Montezuma, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 623-3191

    "While it was our first time camping in Iowa, we were extremely lucky to land upon this slightly hidden fresh water centered campground just a 20 minute drive south of Route 80 near Montezuma, wherein one"

    "Very nice camping place very laid back and good people around, decent sized lake for fishing , shower houses and restrooms are clean and amazing they even have old style outhouse restrooms at one side"

    5. Whitebreast Campground

    8 Reviews
    Lake Red Rock, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    "Our site had a great view of the lake, as well.   The campgrounds are a drive away from the beach and most boat ramps. "

    "Can walk down to the dock. We love to camp there every Fourth of July. It is a great place for all ages to enjoy."

    6. Wallashuck

    5 Reviews
    Pella, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    $20 - $24 / night

    "Wallashuck in Pella, iowa is one of my favorite places to camp. It’s mostly quiet and peaceful. Plus town is close and has plenty to entertain or fill up supplies"

    "We were able to camp in a tent near RVs without feeling crowded. The restrooms, showers, and playground were all close by…great for camping with kids."

    7. North Overlook Camp

    3 Reviews
    Pella, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    $14 - $24 / night

    "Camping doesn't get much better than this in Iowa. The North Overlook site is part of a much larger group of COE campgrounds on Lake Red Rock."

    8. Robertson Access

    1 Review
    Montezuma, IA
    15 miles
    Website

    9. Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

    4 Reviews
    Lake Red Rock, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 309-9885

    $25 - $120 / night

    "The perfect drive up private campsite you will find in Iowa. Very quiet with a beautiful view of three ponds and a sunset you will not want to miss."

    "Plus just 6 miles from our fav brewery in Iowa."

    10. Miami Lake Park

    1 Review
    Tracy, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 946-8112
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Recent Camping Photos near Oskaloosa, IA

70 Photos of 90 Oskaloosa Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Oskaloosa, IA

244 Reviews of 90 Oskaloosa Campgrounds

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Nice campground. Clean. Well kept.

    We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.

  • Clifton B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Very nice campground off the beaten path

    Wife and I met friends here in August 2025.  This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY.  The campground was very well maintained.  Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional.  We really enjoyed the long weekend here.  Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August.  Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt 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.  Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.

  • Jerry V.
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    Well Maintaned & Good Fishing

    I stayed at site #13 with my two boys.  We had a blast.  I would highly recommend site #13.  It had plenty of space for a large tent and canopy.  It had a nice access spot for fishing.  The new restroom/shower facility was very nice and clean.  Most sites are pretty sandy as this was an old quarry so be prepared for that.  There was also company on-site that rents Kayaks.  The campground manager was extremely helpful.  He had firewood already staged for $7 and even came back on day two with more firewood for the same fee.

  • J
    Jul. 8, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Clean & quiet

    Made a quick trip here to de how the new puppy likes camping. Nice size campground, sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6’ hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site. Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks.

    Free WiFi was good; we streamed tv. It did freeze a few times but hard to tell if it was the WiFi or the provider.

    A new bath house, community room, and “shop” is being built. Bath house & laundry are complete. Very nice and spotless.

    The camp is quiet and well maintained.

  • Tiffany K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Howell Station

    Laid-back Campground

    This campground has great facilities with spacious sites. We have plenty of space for our dogs on two stakes. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are large trees that provide a lot of shade for the campground. There are play grounds for the kids. It is along a river for fishing and bird watching.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest

    Way too many insects, and $10 a night. No amenities.

    This place charges 10 bucks a night. You don't get a water station. You don't get a gray water dump. You do get trash cans on site. The sheer volume of insects makes it impossible to walk anywhere. Unfortunately, I have a dog and I have to go walk three times a fucking day. And this is the closest place to where my folks and I agreed to meet in about a week.

    At $10 a night, you'd think they'd at least have water, a gray dump, and some kind of insect control. But no, they don't. They do have maintenance coming around regularly, but nothing seems to get rid of the insects. It used to be $6 a night at one point. So I guess it went up. I don't see why. It's just like any other insect infested place to park.

    If it wasn't for the cost, I guess I'd give it three stars, but that'd be generous. I didn't give it one star because I can at least drive around on it with my bus.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Rock Creek State Park Campground

    Sites close together

    RV sites are close and busy. Grass and shade. Tenting area had a much quieter vibe. Lots of dogs. Ranger was helpful. It was a Sunday.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Island View Campground — Lake Rathbun

    Island View Campground

    Pretty nice campground with showers/restrooms/dump stations spread throughout the campground. Tons a room between spots and lots of sites with a good view of the lake. Our site has a nice view but isn’t too close. I would aim for one of the M spots if you want closer. There is a ramp for boats and a beach. Overall really great place to stay especially if you like the water

Guide to Oskaloosa

Camping near Oskaloosa, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Fishing and boating: Many campgrounds, like Rock Creek State Park Campground, provide access to lakes where you can fish or rent boats. One reviewer mentioned, "Boat and kayak rental and a small store with basic necessities" make it a great spot for water activities.
  • Hiking: Trails are available at various parks, including F. W. Kent Park, where you can explore nature. A visitor noted, "There are plenty of trails and overlooks with picnic benches."
  • Playgrounds for kids: Campgrounds like Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground have playgrounds that keep the little ones entertained. One parent shared, "There were a lot of families camping in that area which took away from the peacefulness of the campground."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Walnut Woods State Park Campground stated, "The bathrooms were modern and clean."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots for tents and RVs. A visitor at Yellow Banks County Park mentioned, "Large spacious sites with a fire ring and picnic table."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground hosts. One reviewer at Newton KOA said, "The staff that we interacted with was great."

What you should know

  • Noise from highways: Some campgrounds are close to busy roads, which can be noisy. A visitor at Kellogg RV Park noted, "The sounds of traffic wasn't too bad, but it's still noticeable."
  • Limited shade: Many campgrounds have few trees, so be prepared for sunny spots. A camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Limited shade options."
  • Reservations recommended: Some sites can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A reviewer at Thomas Mitchell County Park said, "Turns out they were reserved."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose campgrounds with amenities: Look for places with playgrounds and water activities. One parent at F. W. Kent Park appreciated the "new playground for the kids."
  • Plan for meals: Bring food or check for nearby markets. A visitor at Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground mentioned, "There was a little store that was convenient."
  • Keep an eye on kids: Some campgrounds can get busy, so be sure to supervise children. A review for Rock Creek State Park Campground noted, "Teens were running little kids off the playground."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A camper at Walnut Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
  • Look for full hookups: Some campgrounds offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A reviewer at Newton KOA said, "All of the standard hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp) were available."
  • Be prepared for weather: Check forecasts and pack accordingly. A visitor at Kellogg RV Park noted, "There’s a tornado shelter located on-site."

Camping near Oskaloosa, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Oskaloosa, Iowa?

Eveland Access stands out as an excellent option near Oskaloosa with new shower and toilet facilities, easy access, and proximity to town. For a scenic lake experience, Lake Darling State Park Campground offers great fishing and walking paths with well-maintained facilities. The park has undergone significant improvements in recent years, making it a popular destination. Other notable options within driving distance include Diamond Lake County Park with its freshwater setting and North Overlook Camp on Lake Red Rock, both offering scenic water views and recreational opportunities.

Is Lake Keomah State Park a good place to camp near Oskaloosa?

Yes, Lake Keomah State Park Campground is a good camping option just a short drive from Oskaloosa. The park offers drive-in access with reservable campsites and toilet facilities. The lake provides opportunities for fishing and water recreation, while hiking trails wind through the wooded areas. For those seeking additional options near Oskaloosa, Rock Creek State Park Campground is another good choice featuring a sizeable lake, a nice beach, boat rentals, and a camp store. Sites are reasonably spaced for an Iowa state park.

What RV parks are available in Oskaloosa, Iowa?

Kellogg RV Park is a convenient option for RVers in the region, located behind a Phillips 66 station. The park has recently updated its shower and laundry buildings, and it partners with what's touted as Iowa's best burger joint. For a more resort-style experience, Honey Creek Resort offers an upscale RV park located right on Rathbun Lake, alongside a hotel with indoor waterpark. While not directly in Oskaloosa, these facilities are within reasonable driving distance and provide RV-friendly amenities.

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