Near Klemme, Iowa, campers find diverse options set within the flat agricultural landscape of north-central Iowa. Seasonal temperatures range from below-freezing winters to humid 80°F summers, affecting camping availability and road conditions. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with several small lakes providing recreational opportunities for visitors exploring camping sites near Klemme.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Crystal Lake Park offers excellent fishing opportunities with "a big open spot for fun and games" and "great fishing lake," according to visitors. The park also features a beach area for children, making it suitable for families looking to combine fishing with swimming.
Hiking woodland trails: Pilot Knob State Park Campground maintains several hiking trails through wooded areas. One camper noted, "Plenty of hiking trails, playground for the kids, and an amazing sand bottom swimming pond surrounded by sand beach." The park also features an observation tower constructed by the CCC, accessible by a two-mile walk or drive on paved roads.
Paddling on calm waters: Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area provides primitive water access ideal for kayakers. A visitor mentioned, "It's about a 1/4 mile off of the dirt road and makes a left towards the end with water access that is great for a kayak." This dispersed camping location offers no amenities but provides direct lake access.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Clear Lake State Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. One camper stated, "The park is clean, the shower house is nice," while another mentioned, "The bathrooms are updated and nice." The campground features paved roads that are "great for bike riding" according to visitors.
Spacious sites at non-peak times: Many campgrounds in the area offer better spacing during off-season periods. A visitor to Clear Lake State Park noted, "Camped in mid April and park was not very busy which was nice," highlighting the benefits of shoulder-season camping. Another camper observed, "Nice campground with grassy pull thru sites. But very close together. If full, you would have no privacy."
Lake proximity: Lake Cornelia Park earns appreciation for its waterfront location. A recent visitor described it as "a beautiful county park with lots of camping sites with great views and generous camping spots. It is on a small lake that has good fishing, full hookups, and very nice swimming beach."
What you should know
First-come availability: Several campgrounds operate without reservations. Lake Cornelia Park operates entirely on a first-come basis, with one camper noting, "It can get pretty busy on the nicer weekends, so showing up before dawn to stake out your spot isn't unheard of."
Limited hookup sites: Campgrounds with full hookups often have restricted numbers. A camper at Clear Lake State Park observed, "There are only 6 full hook up sites and the care taker made sure we got one. The rest of the sites are beautiful with electric hook up."
Wildlife encounters: Beed's Lake State Park Campground and other area parks offer wildlife viewing opportunities. Campers report seeing deer and turtles, with one noting they "got to see turtles laying eggs and deer were all around."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary between parks. A visitor to Pilot Knob State Park mentioned, "My biggest complaint is there were no hooks or shelves for toiletries by the sinks." Meanwhile, Inglebretson Park County receives praise for "clean bathrooms with hot showers (which are super clean)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. A visitor to Pilot Knob noted it has "plenty of hiking trails, playground for the kids, and an amazing sand bottom swimming pond surrounded by sand beach."
Beach activities: McIntosh Woods State Park Campground provides lake access with a swimming area. One camper explained, "There is a beach for swimming but there is no lifeguard on duty. There is also a boat ramp and a few docks for launching."
Alternative accommodations: Some parks offer structures beyond tent and RV sites. A visitor to McIntosh Woods mentioned, "We stayed in one of the two yurts - bunk bed plus a futon and table/chairs inside. Picnic table and grill outside. Walk to small town/restaurants."
Water quality monitoring: Parents should check conditions before water activities. A camper advised, "Before you get in the water make sure you check with the locals to make sure there is no harmful algae."
Tips from RVers
Budget-friendly options: Inglebretson Park County offers economical electrical hookups. A visitor noted, "Very inexpensive, convenient, nice place to stay for a layover. Believe the cost was only $15 on our summer early September rate and drops to $10 basically in October for a few months, which includes a small fire pit, table, and electric!"
Parking configurations: Beed's Lake State Park features an unusual setup. One RVer explained, "Easy access to most sites as many are parallel parking style. Lots of shade on the outer sites." Another camper cautioned, "Over half of the campsites are parallel parking. That means if you don't know the person camping across from you, you'll be staring at a stranger just a few feet away."
Site leveling considerations: Clear Lake State Park has variable site conditions. One camper noted, "Sites not too level, but spacious," while others mentioned the presence of both dirt and gravel pads throughout the campground.
Hookup availability: Oakwood RV Park near Clear Lake offers reliable full hookups. A visitor reported, "Guided right into the site, easy hookups. Water had a chlorine taste is the only drawback, but probably no worse than city water."
