Glamping close to Le Mars, Iowa offers access to diverse water recreation opportunities along the Missouri River and local lakes. The Le Mars region sits at the confluence of several waterways with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F from June through August. Most area campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter availability.
What to do
Fishing options: Crawford Creek County Rec Area provides accessible fishing opportunities with family-friendly shorelines. "Multiple play areas for kids. Water good for fishing, kayaking and swimming," notes one visitor to Crawford Creek County Rec Area.
River exploration: The Missouri River creates recreational corridors through several campgrounds. "There is a short trail which goes down to the Missouri River," reports a camper at Clay County Park, which features both river access and inland hiking trails.
Swimming facilities: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas with additional attractions. At Island Park, one camper mentioned "Huge swimming area with slides for kids, and river with a lot of fish! Brand New shower houses."
Sports activities: Some parks feature athletic courts and fields for group activities. "The park also has tennis courts, soccer fields, and baseball fields. There is a swimming pool and playgrounds, along with trails," shared a visitor about the recreation options.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Sites along the Missouri River provide scenery and recreation access. A camper at Scenic Park noted, "Our campsite had a river view, picnic table, and fire ring. The campground is part of a large park and was full hookups with cable and wifi included."
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate clean, functional facilities at many locations. "We found the Scenic Park RV Campground when we were looking for a spot to stay close to Sioux City, IA for a sports event for our sons. The pads are in great shape. They offer full hookups," reports one visitor.
Affordable options: Budget-conscious options exist throughout the area. One camper at Island Park - Rock Rapids shared, "Very cheap, 15$ a night for rv with electric and water, 5$ for tents."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer adequate space between sites. As one camper noted, "All the spots are spacious...neighbors are not on top of you. This spot had a nice concrete pad with a picnic table."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Little Sioux Park Campground operates from "May 1 to October 31," while others like Crawford Creek remain open from "April to October."
Reservation systems: Some parks require advance booking while others allow walk-ins. "Reservations can be made online at campsd.com or through the call center. Reservations are accepted up to 90 days in advance of your arrival at the park. Camping reservations must be made before setting up on a campsite," explains a review for Clay County Park.
Noise factors: Proximity to urban areas or event venues can impact some campgrounds. One visitor to Island Park - Rock Rapids cautions, "The night we stayed, there was racing going on at Rapid Speedway that lasted well into the evening. Extremely LOUD. Make sure to check the race schedule the night you want to stay."
Limited tent options: RVs dominate at many locations with fewer tent-specific sites. "Most of this open campground is devoted to RV's... There are only 4 tent sites on the south edge of the area," reports a tent camper.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Parks with multiple recreation options keep children engaged. "Awesome place to stay. Lots of activities for the kids. Staff was awesome," reports a family staying at Sioux City North KOA.
Swimming areas: Water features provide summer recreation. One camper noted Crawford Creek has "Multiple play areas for kids. Water good for fishing, kayaking and swimming. Nice cabins for rent."
Playground access: Several parks feature updated play equipment. A visitor to Scenic Park mentioned, "There is a swimming pool and playgrounds, along with trails. The trails I loved were along the river."
Budget considerations: Tent camping offers affordable alternatives for families. One camper reported at Island Park, "Very cheap, 15$ a night for rv with electric and water, 5$ for tents."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric-only sites are common, with water available but not always at each site. "Electric, water, and dump station available here. In the trees, shaded, and a short walk along a pleasant trail to the Missouri River," notes an RVer at Clay County Park.
Big rig access: Some campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles better than others. Sioux City North KOA and Martin Area County Park offer big-rig-friendly sites, while others like Clay County Park have limited space for larger units.
Site surfaces: Surface types vary between campgrounds. One RVer observed, "This spot had a nice concrete pad with a picnic table. Views of the river and city were nice. Full hook-ups with sewer, water, electric and (spotty) WiFi."
Extended stay options: Some parks allow longer-term camping. A visitor noted, "Many sites seemed to be extended stay and not all were well kept...plastic covering windows, haphazard decks, etc. All-in-all though an OK one night stopover spot if you're traveling through."
