Looking for the best campgrounds near Lake Red Rock, IA? Lake Red Rock is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Lake Red Rock, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
"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."
$22 - $24 / night
"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."
"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."
$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."
$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."
"Caveat: you cannot see the lake from the camping spots
Camped site 26
Wooded county campground. Many of the spots at the West campground are paved. They all have electric."
"Easy in and around campground. A lot of space between sites. Sites are fairly level with hard pack gravel."
$20 - $288 / night
"Sits on the bank of Red Rock Lake which has great fishing."
"it has shaded camping areas, nice bathrooms, hiking trails, fishing, and a nice beach. I camp here every year!"
$16 - $72 / night
"There are lots of trails around the area.
It’s also a great place if you like to go horse back riding with lots of trails that go near the water.
There are camp hosts to help answer questions."
"We really wnjoyed riding the trails here. Good facilities for our horses."
$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."
"We camped out at site 82 which is a non-electric site and close to a Red Rock Lake shoreline. Spots are pretty close but they perfectly have grass tall enough to give you some privacy between spots."
"Plus, it’s on the outskirts of town so restaurants and grocery stores are nearby."
"Marion County is often overlooked by people in favor of the various Red Rock campgrounds that are nearby, but in my opinion, unless you have a boat, there is nothing that puts Red Rock above Marion County"
TravelerWe stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.
ScoutWife 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.
TravelerIowa county parks are amazing. They pour money into them and it really shows. Clean, I mean immaculate. Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level. They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be. Camp host was top notch, neighbors fantastic, quiet and respectful. Only spent two days there but could make it a two week vacation and never get tired of it. Okay, let's address the dump station, I've never been to one so thought out and efficient. Weird favorite thing but if you know you know
GuideJuly, 2017
Great place but not quiet at all. Short walk to the amusement park. We were there for most of the early summer so we got a season pass to the park which included the water park. They also have workcamper programs.
We especially loved the fireworks display on the 4th.
ScoutI 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.
GuideMade 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.
GuideThis 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.
RangerThis 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.
TravelerRV 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.
Camping near Lake Red Rock, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds to choose from, each with its own unique vibe.
Camping near Lake Red Rock, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds located at Lake Red Rock in Iowa?
Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake, features several campgrounds strategically positioned around its shores. North Overlook Camp is located on the lake's northern shore, offering direct beach access with shower facilities. On the western side, Howell Station sits along the river with scenic hiking and biking paths. Other campgrounds include Whitebreast on the southern shore with lake views, Wallashuck near Pella, and Roberts Creek West near Knoxville. Additionally, Elk Rock State Park on the south side contains both equestrian and non-equestrian camping areas. These Corps of Engineers (COE) managed campgrounds are positioned to provide varied recreational opportunities while maintaining the natural beauty of this expansive reservoir.
Are there cabins available for rent at Red Rock Lake in Iowa?
While traditional Corps of Engineers campgrounds at Lake Red Rock primarily offer tent and RV camping, cabin options do exist in the vicinity. Honey Creek Resort near Moravia provides comfortable cabin accommodations along with hotel-style lodging for those seeking more amenities. For a unique experience near the lake, private facilities like Kellogg RV Park offer alternative lodging options. The lake area continues to develop its accommodation offerings, with Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake reportedly adding a glamp site to complement their existing campsites. For those requiring cabin rentals, it's advisable to book well in advance, especially during peak summer season when availability becomes limited.
What camping amenities are available at Lake Red Rock?
Lake Red Rock campgrounds offer extensive amenities to enhance your camping experience. Whitebreast Campground features spacious sites with lake views, drinking water, and clean restroom facilities. For a more private experience, Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake provides tranquil camping with beautiful pond views and spectacular sunsets. Most Lake Red Rock campgrounds include standard amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and potable water. Many sites offer electrical hookups for RVs, while others maintain more primitive settings for tent campers. Shower facilities, boat ramps, swimming beaches, and hiking trails are accessible throughout the lake area. Some campgrounds feature playground equipment, dump stations, and camp stores for added convenience.
Keep Exploring
