Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Keosauqua, IA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Keosauqua is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Keosauqua, reviewed by campers like you.
$8 - $50 / night
The Lick Creek Unit contains two nonmodern equestrian campgrounds with nonelectric campsites. Facilities include pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, gravel parking pads, water hydrants, hitching rails and shade for horses. There are also stalls for overnight stabling.
Shimek State Forest is located in Lee and Van Buren Counties in southeast Iowa near the town of Farmington. Although the forest's original and most important function is to serve as an example of forest management for Iowas citizens, recreational opportunities abound in the forest. Visitors come from a wide area to hunt, fish, hike, ride the equestrian trails, mountain bike, camp, picnic, study nature and enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can expect to find oak-hickory forests and bottomland hardwood timber forests but will also find several areas where native prairie plants can be found and about 1,000 acres which have been planted to conifers. In this extremely varied habitat wildlife is abundant. Bring your camera or spotting scope! The forest is managed by the Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau and is comprised of five separate units with a total of 9,148 acres. The forest headquarters is located about one mile northeast of Farmington on county road J56. The four lakes in the Farmington and Donnellson Units are stocked with bass, channel catfish and panfish. There are no designated swimming areas. The entire forest is open to hiking and hunting (except in the camping areas).
Our park is great for an overnight stay because we are at the crossroads of HWY 218/27 & 34 in the SE corner of Iowa. Also, we are open year round with full hookups. Lastly, we have a 9.5* rating with Good Sam!!!
$38 / night
Normally a complex like the River Valley Lodge and Campground would begin with detailed drawings and blueprints but this one began with a dream and a concept! It would basically have been impossible to put the gentle flowing of the Des Moines River, the soaring of the eagles, the laid back atmosphere of Southeast Iowa, the glistening mirror finish of the quiet ponds, the beautiful sunsets, and the rustling of the giant cottonwoods on paper. Of course the detailed drawings and blueprints came later as required but Mother Nature had already provided the setting and Steve and Carolyn Kokjohn had provided the dream and concept.
As you have no doubt guessed, the dream and concept are now a reality and the River Valley Lodge and Campground is ready for your enjoyment. The transition from dream and concept to reality did not come quick or easily. It was the result of the combined efforts of many talented individuals and hours of their labor that made it what it is today. To all of those individuals, Steve and Carolyn say "thank you......a job well done".
The result of all this dreaming, planning, and hard work is a state of the art family oriented lodge and campground with a definite western atmosphere that will match, if not surpass, anything similar in the tri-state area. No matter if you are just a couple wanting a place to bring your horses, camp, and ride the many forested trails, a large group wanting to rent the beautiful lodge for some type of a get-together, or a horse group/organization that would like to rent the arena or even the complete campground, you will find that River Valley Lodge and Campground in Southeast Iowa is the place to go. Of course horses are not required and all campers are definitely welcome. Just remember that this complete complex is very flexible and adaptable thus we will make every attempt possible to meet your needs.
The Lick Creek Unit contains two nonmodern equestrian campgrounds with nonelectric campsites. Facilities include pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, gravel parking pads, water hydrants, hitching rails and shade for horses. There are also stalls for overnight stabling.
Shimek State Forest is located in Lee and Van Buren Counties in southeast Iowa near the town of Farmington. Although the forest's original and most important function is to serve as an example of forest management for Iowas citizens, recreational opportunities abound in the forest. Visitors come from a wide area to hunt, fish, hike, ride the equestrian trails, mountain bike, camp, picnic, study nature and enjoy the outdoors. Visitors can expect to find oak-hickory forests and bottomland hardwood timber forests but will also find several areas where native prairie plants can be found and about 1,000 acres which have been planted to conifers. In this extremely varied habitat wildlife is abundant. Bring your camera or spotting scope! The forest is managed by the Iowa DNR Forestry Bureau and is comprised of five separate units with a total of 9,148 acres. The forest headquarters is located about one mile northeast of Farmington on county road J56. The four lakes in the Farmington and Donnellson Units are stocked with bass, channel catfish and panfish. There are no designated swimming areas. The entire forest is open to hiking and hunting (except in the camping areas).
Our park is great for an overnight stay because we are at the crossroads of HWY 218/27 & 34 in the SE corner of Iowa. Also, we are open year round with full hookups. Lastly, we have a 9.5* rating with Good Sam!!!
$38 / night
Guide
A small number of electrical sites was all that I saw. I'm sure there are bathrooms somewhere in one of the fairground buildings, but I didn't see any signage for them.
Guide
This is a small campground with electric camper spots. I didn't see any dump station. It features a playground and has vault toilets. There is a walking trail that leads to a lake with ducks. Online only reservations.
Guide
This site has a large number of mostly cement camper spots, including pull through. There is a large playground and shower house. Primitive camping for single or group spots. Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out. This is the .most full service camp site that I have seen in Iowa so far.
GuideLots of cement camping pads, playground, and shower house. Primitive single and group camping sites. Canoe rental and shooting range.
Guide
This campsite appears to not be well maintained it may even be closed. There is no electricity and one vault toilet. Weeds are overgrown, and fallen trees have not been cleared. However, it has a wonderful view of the river and is directly on the banks. Because there are fallen trees, firewood is plentiful :).
Guide
Campsite is directly next to the river. Most sites have power but there are a few tent sits as well (those are right on the river). We'll maintained vault toilets. Site has a shared spicket.
Guide
I don't think this camp site exists anymore. There is a roadside stop next to it with a Pavillion but no campground
Guide
We stayed in mid-November when a lot of places are closed. They had electricity and the dump station was operating, but the water hookups were shut off and the bath house was closed for the winter. Water was available at a hydrant across from the bath house, but lacked a garden hose thread, so you could only fill water jugs. The roads are very narrow and in need of repair. Fee was $18.
Legend
Camping bookdock style, no restrooms. Awesome sunset views, cider, near food, fuel, etc.
ScoutWe have stayed here multiple times and it is super peaceful, the host are great and help with anything you need!
Traveler
We drive to the end of Umber Ave and found two spots perfect for camping. We chose the one nestled next to the corn field. Perfect dispersed camp site with no road noise or visitors.
Scout
Worst place I have stayed in my 6 years of traveling as an RN. Yes, they had shade. Made cell service very hard to receive. ONLY other thing they has was geese and fishing. No picnic table, no firepits. I had a 30amp space. With slide out on each side, and not superslides either, I had EXACTLY 1 foot left on each side of my slides. I could not put out my awning as it would hit the camper next to me. No zero space behind camper as it went to a steep slope from my spare wheel. If I walked behind camper, I had to hang on to spare wheel or fall down the slope. Barely enough room in from of camper to park pickup at an angle. I have never seen anything like this place before. And hope I never do. Pictures you see of campground are SO VERY MUCH deceiving !!!!!. I rate it a one star only because it will not allow me to go any lower.
TravelerGreat spot, $20 for RVs and campers. Free if primitive camping. All spots have power and water. Waste and sewage dump can be found on campgrounds. One showering station on grounds. Bathrooms within walking distance. Even have a pistol and rifle range. Bathrooms could be cleaned more, but only complaint.
TravelerSmall lot for hunters to park and go. For a secluded spot, good enough to camp. As long as you don't need any utilities.
Guide
Level grass tent sites. Shade of trees. Electric outlets at sites. Water accessible. Bath house kept very clean. Plenty of hot water for showers. Picnic table & fire ring at site. Economical. Laundry. Ice bags available. Picnic shelter with sides, 3 picnic tables, small mini fridge, electric lights & outlets, ceiling fan, portable fan, water and deep sink available for campers to use.
TravelerVery nice park small but great the way I like them. The bath house looks like my bath room at home. Next time in Mount Pleasant will stop again.
ScoutI stayed at the main site that google maps took me to. Three spots but the park is big there might be more sites around it. It is near skunk river I only stayed there for a night but where I was to get to the river you have to hike or bike to it. I’ve heard you can ride horses here. They have fire rings, picnic tables, and a bathroom that’s deep and composting. No sinks or showers. Bugs were wild at night but it is summer. No one disturbed us and it was free the best park of it all. Hoping to make it back there to go through the trails. I believe you can hike and camp too in the area.
Scout$12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance. Stand-alone bathrooms throughout the park have the deep composting toilets that smell bad but whatever the ones up front are nice. Would recommend 10/10
Guide
Nice drive in gorgeous country. 23$ site without water 28 w/ water 35 full hookups. Decent showers nice playground for kids lakeside spots as well. The host sells firewood and 2 sizes of ice. Cheap too. Walking trails nearby.
Traveler
Nice little campground in Iowa. We stayed for three nights, there's vault toilets, and the fire rings are tiered and really nice. It's wooded and tucked away. There's a lot of nice little trails and a couple lakes. There's a $10 a night fee on the honor system so I would not consider it free. We would come back.
Guide
Beautiful river views. Amazing camp hosts. Showers,toilets,30/50/110 power water on sites to share water and dump on property. Mid 1800's town right there and businesses open. There is a blacksmith, a Indian artifact museum and gift shops. Historical walking bridge that is amazing. No wifi.. poor Internet although I did have one bar so could be worse .I have total by Verizon.
Ranger
Close to major highway. Gravel sites. Clean campground. Many paved and grass walking trails surrounded by trees and natural areas. Bath/shower house is under construction. Child’s play equipment. Bathrooms with flush toilets nearby. Dump station for a fee. All sites had water and electric. Water was off during our visit in March. Park connected to nearby town by paved trail, approx 1 mile away. Gas and convenience store nearby. Camphost on site. Park is in a quiet rural location. Payment is made at dropbox when entering the park. Cell signal was 2 bars with Verizon.
Guide
I stayed at the RV section right next to the rodeo arena. Full hookups for only $20 per night with a self-service registration box. I forgot to count but looked like maybe 20 spots max. I was here mid-November in town for work and there was no more than four other campers at any point. Pretty basic surroundings though. There's barrel trash cans, didn't see a dumpster. Didn't see any toilet or shower buildings. Hardly any trees near the sites. Decent playground close by though, and a heavily wooded park with trails beyond that.
Traveler
The rv park, itself, is very nice! Clean, well organized and spacious. The issue is NOISE!! Constant train traffic all night! Horns blaring! The tracks are less than 1/4-mile away. And quite a bit of freeway noise, too! It's all by about location, location, location and this park doesn't have it. Spent three(3) sleepless nights. We would have moved on but we were visiting our son who lives in the immediate area. Next time, l'll drive 30 minutes more to find someplace quiet.
Scout
We stayed labor day weekend. Just pulled in and gave them our $12 a night. No electricity or water in our site. Clean bathrooms. Cheap wood for fires. Really nice fire pits with attached grill. There is a lake here too. Lots of boats. We didn't fish. Beach is closed but the water looked pretty gross. We changed our minds and decided to stay an extra night because it was so peaceful!
TravelerGood clean campground. Easy access. Very clean bathrooms and showers.
ScoutShowever up after a 400 mile ride. Met the owner. Very pleasant.
Showed me around n where I could pitch for the night. Right by the pond. Very clean, very quiet n would go all over again!
Camping near Keosauqua, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique charm.
Fishing and Boating: Many campers enjoy fishing and boating at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. One visitor mentioned, "The lake area offers great fishing and there are boat rentals available." Another camper noted, "We went out for a fishing day, and the entire lake was very clean."
Hiking: Explore the trails at Lake Darling State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "Several hiking trails—maps seemed to not quite fit the trails, but they were signed fairly well."
Swimming: Enjoy a swim at Thousand Hills State Park Campground. One camper said, "Nice calm lake great for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and small motored boats."
Camping near Keosauqua, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Keosauqua, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Keosauqua, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 78 campgrounds and RV parks near Keosauqua, IA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Keosauqua, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Keosauqua, IA is Lacey-Keosauqua State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Keosauqua, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Keosauqua, IA.
What parks are near Keosauqua, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Keosauqua, IA that allow camping, notably Rathbun Lake and Lake Red Rock.
