Campgrounds near Lehigh, Iowa provide a range of recreational opportunities along the Des Moines River and surrounding landscapes. Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground and Brushy Creek State Recreation Area offer developed sites for tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, with multiple specialized camping areas including equestrian campgrounds. The terrain features a mix of prairie landscapes, wooded areas, and water access points, with many sites providing electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings within a 30-minute drive of Lehigh.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April 1 to December 31, though some facilities like Briggs Woods Park remain open year-round. "We stayed at this campground a week after Memorial Day weekend along with my dogs in our minivan/tent. I butted up against woods with neighbors to one side which made me feel like I had a pretty private area to myself," noted one visitor about Dolliver Memorial State Park. Reservations are recommended for weekend camping, particularly during summer months. Cell service varies significantly across parks, with Dolliver Memorial State Park having limited connectivity. Many campgrounds feature shower facilities and modern restrooms, though some close these amenities during cooler months.
The hiking trail systems receive consistently high ratings from campers visiting Dolliver Memorial State Park and Brushy Creek State Recreation Area. According to reviews, the extensive trail networks provide scenic views and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Water recreation options include fishing and kayaking, with Brushy Creek maintaining a popular beach area for swimming during summer months. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the quiet atmosphere, particularly at the equestrian campgrounds even when not camping with horses. Campground layouts typically provide some privacy between sites, though this varies by location. Sites with water access or shade tend to fill quickly during peak season, while the prairie-based campgrounds offer expansive views but limited natural shade from the summer sun.
$15 - $50 / night
"Nice clean park, if passing through Iowa it's a nice overnight. A little loud if tent camping. Area not large enough to separate hard shell campers and tent campers."
"We LOVE the hiking trails. Some can be a pretty good workout & steep for a 61 year old, but they are do-able & have resting benches a long the way."
$19 - $37 / night
"Camped here in order to be close to Fort Dodge first thing in the morning. I stayed in the Beach Campground. It's not on the beach, but close to it. There are 3 total campgrounds in the park. "
"Hitching posts behind each site which we enjoyed seeing. The roads inside the campground were all asphalt so lots of bikers enjoying rides around the grounds."
"Brigs Woods is close to Webster City, IA. There are several campsites, cabins, golf course, access to canoeing or kayaking on the Boone River, along with hiking trails, swimming and fishing. "
"We chose Briggs Woods because of its location and reviews from other campers. It is a larger campground than you think! Spots for primitive tent camping, electrical hook up and full hook ups."
$19 - $54 / night
"Walking, hiking and exploring. People are here camping with their horses but the campground is still nice and quiet."
$18 - $38 / night
"One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there."
"One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."
$25 - $50 / night
$12 - $20 / night
"Went kayaking on lake and then on Des Moines River (close by). Nice wildlife areas, hiking, fishing, etc. Pleasant staff."
"Very quite and nice campground, we camped on top of the hill in tents it was awesome view and potable drinking water next to camp, bathrooms and shower facilities was clean and nice"
$20 - $100 / night
"I can't say enough about Kennedy Memorial County park in Fort Dodge Iowa. Its beautiful well taken care of has a nice playground and access to a beautiful golf course! And FREE WIFI!"
"Multiple kids parks, beach area, fishing areas with boat ramps, trails, kids butterfly garden."
$20 / night
"There are campsites along the lake with easy access to shoreline. There are approximately 100 sites. There is a playground and disc golf. There is a roller rink and a concession stand."
"Plenty of camping spaces, some right next to the lake. Swimming area, concession stand, boat rentals, and even a skating rink on the weekends. My favorite childhood camping spot."
GuideThis is a day use conservation only area. No camping is currently allowed.
There is a nice accessible vault toilets, play ground, and it has the Iowa River passing through it. There is also a very nice community building at the property.
GuideThis little camp ground is part of the Iowa River Trail system. There is a good sized parking / turn around area. It was well kept and it costs about $10 a night and is in Hardin County.
The gravel road is fairly busy, but it could just be due to planting season starting. There were quite a few annoying gnats / mosquito's. There is a ramp for access, but it is dirt and gravel, so not something you can back a boat down in there easily.
I spent a night here and it was a pleasant experience, other than the flying bug annoyances.
GuideArrived at Reece Memorial Park in the early afternoon. I stopped by the Octagonal shelter at the south entrance of the park. This is a large shelter house with a fireplace in the middle of the building with several picnic tables.
I then drove down the road and entered into the west entrance of the park and followed it around the loop. There is a wide open area with a small slide and Merry-go-round, along with a couple of picnic tables.
I found, what I think, the best campsite in the park, and it was open. It sits along the creek and there was a fire ring there. This park is all primitive campsites, and so be prepared for that, although the description of the campground mentions vault toilets, I did not see them.
It was a very nice relaxing campsite, and the fact that there was no cell service, made it even better! There were a few vehicles drive through, and a little road noise, but I enjoyed my stay there. The creek was up, and it looks like part of the park might still be closed on the South side.
To primitive camp, the cost is $10.00 a night, and registration is with a QR Code, but since there is little to no cell service, it was difficult to get registered, so you may want to pay before you go.
ScoutHad the entire campground to myself on a holiday weekend. Chose an 30$ site for the shade but the electric was for 50 amp RV with no 110 plug. Very clean and quite
TravelerThis location is on the east side of Jefferson on the old Lincoln highway at the Greene county fair grounds directly next to the Milwaukee trestle bike trail. It has both tent and RV camping spots. The RV is parallel parking with electric only. Black water dump site is at the waist water treatment plant by the public swimming pool on west Russell street on the south side of the street across from south walnut street entrance. The fairgrounds dose have horse and livestock amenities and events at times of the year with the Greene county fair and other events. It also has an agricultural museum and other events in the summer.
GuideI took my mother and my youngest on a Mother’s Day weekend camping adventure. We chose Briggs Woods because of its location and reviews from other campers. It is a larger campground than you think! Spots for primitive tent camping, electrical hook up and full hook ups. The campground offers free WiFi and it reached clear to the back end over by the four little cabins. The pit toilets by the four little cabins were clean and stocked. My daughter was able to walk her little dog around the campground with no issues of other dogs running loose. Quiet hours begin at 10:30 pm and everyone followed the rule. I also like how close to the river this campground is. We stayed in electrical spots in the #60s. I like how you can scan the QR code and pay right there from your phone. Very convenient! The camp hosts were friendly and would often cruise by in their golf cart checking on campers.
TravelerGreat, convenient campground at a very reasonable price $15 if you pay cash or $19 when paying via the QR code at each site. The location is sitting right along the river where I saw several people fishing. There’s also a small playground, which is a nice touch for families.
I stayed at a 30-amp electric-only site, so no water hookups or dump station, but there is a dumpster available for trash. Overall, it’s a simple, safe, well-maintained spot that offers good value, and I would definitely stay here again.
ScoutTesting out a new set up and this has full service with electric, water and sewer line.
Travelerreasonable cost. Upgrade taking place when we were there for one night. Will be very nice when finished.
Camping spots near Lehigh, Iowa center around the Des Moines River valley, featuring varied terrain with elevations ranging from 950 to 1,100 feet above sea level. The region receives approximately 35 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush woodland environments ideal for camping from late spring through early fall. Seasonal temperature fluctuations impact campground accessibility, with many campsites closing shower facilities during shoulder seasons.
Roller skating at historic rink: Spring Lake County Park maintains a unique open-air roller skating rink operating weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "Great long-term hosts really make this park feel like going home," notes a visitor about the Spring Lake County Park experience.
Trail exploration: Kennedy County Park features a newly installed blacktop trail circling the lake and adjacent golf course. "Decent smaller county park with newly installed blacktop trail around lake and golfcourse next door," mentions one visitor, though they caution, "No cell service provider functions in this park."
Horseback riding: The North Equestrian Campground at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area provides specialized facilities for equestrian campers with hitching posts behind each site. A camper reported, "There were a few campers with horse but not many. Hitching posts behind each site which we enjoyed seeing. The roads inside the campground were all asphalt so lots of bikers enjoying rides around the grounds."
Waterfront access: Don Williams Park offers premium lakeside camping options with direct water views. "Great sites right on the lake. Trails, fishing and beautiful lake views," notes a camper who visited recently.
Private camping areas: The South Equestrian Campground at Brushy Creek provides a peaceful atmosphere even for non-equestrian campers. "People are here camping with their horses but the campground is still nice and quiet," observed one visitor during their stay at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area South Equestrian Campground.
Wooded sites: Ledges State Park offers camping areas surrounded by mature forests, providing natural screening between sites. "The campground has a good picnic area, restrooms, and an excellent trail. It's also inexpensive," mentions a camper about their experience at the park.
Reservation systems vary: While some campgrounds require advance booking, others operate on first-come, first-served basis. Briggs Woods Park maintains sites for walk-up campers. "You can reserve a spot by going online, though they do keep some as FCFS," notes a camper.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service is inconsistent across parks in the region, with some offering Wi-Fi as compensation. A visitor to Kennedy County Park reported, "The WIFI is shared between dozens of sites, speed averages right around 5mps."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds near Lehigh operate from April through October or December, though some facilities close earlier. A Ledges State Park visitor noted, "Ledges State Park is one of the most visited parks in Iowa... It has been closed since January 2018, but it scheduled to re-open in January of 2019."
Playgrounds and recreation: Kennedy County Park offers multiple play areas and outdoor activities. "Multiple kids parks, beach area, fishing areas with boat ramps, trails, kids butterfly garden," shares one visitor highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Beach activities: Spring Lake County Park maintains a swimming beach with water recreation options. "Bike/hiking trail, disc golf, kayak/paddle boat rentals, swimming beach, historic roller skating rink, playgrounds and more-something for everyone to enjoy!" notes a recent camper.
Winter considerations: Families planning off-season trips should verify which facilities remain open. A visitor to Ledges State Park advised, "I would be careful hiking in the winter for obvious reason, especially because of the steep edges, etc."
Site selection strategy: Bells Mills County Park offers a freestyle parking arrangement that works well for group camping. "Very nice! Lots of spots 34 of them! Water and electric hook up! Cell service wasn't good but the WiFi was great! We had 12 campers pull in together and was able to camp all together!"
Spacious vs. cramped layouts: RV campground designs vary significantly between parks. A visitor to Kennedy County Park observed, "Unfortunately, the RV park is quite cramped. The sites are somewhat modest in size and the one-way roads are narrow and unmarked."
Off-season value: Several campgrounds offer reduced rates during shoulder seasons. "Open for off season camping. 14$/night for full hookups with pull thru RV sites," reported a visitor to Brushy Creek State Recreation Area's North Equestrian Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lehigh, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lehigh, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 77 campgrounds and RV parks near Lehigh, IA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lehigh, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lehigh, IA is Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lehigh, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Lehigh, IA.
Keep Exploring
