Best Campgrounds near Leland, IA

Camping options around Leland, Iowa include several established campgrounds within a short drive. Pilot Knob State Park Campground, about 10 miles from Leland, offers tent, RV, and cabin sites with electric hookups throughout most of the park. The region includes both state park facilities like Clear Lake State Park and McIntosh Woods State Park as well as more rustic options at Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area and Eagle Lake Wildlife Management Area where dispersed camping is permitted. These facilities provide varying levels of amenities from full-service campgrounds with showers and dump stations to primitive sites with minimal facilities.

Seasonal considerations shape the camping experience, with many sites operating from April through November. Pilot Knob State Park remains open year-round with winter camping available. "For $12/night on a 30AMP hookup, I really can't complain. Enjoyable scenery, especially at sunset," noted one visitor about Pilot Knob. Weather conditions can affect site quality, particularly after rain when some campsites become muddy. Most developed campgrounds in the area feature electrical hookups ranging from 30-amp to 50-amp service, though non-electric tent sites are also available at lower rates. Cell coverage varies but is generally available at major campgrounds, with AT&T service noted as reliable at some locations.

The camping experience in this area centers around lake access and outdoor recreation. Three Fingers Campground near Forest City provides proximity to local attractions, making it suitable for short stays. Multiple reviewers highlighted the wildlife viewing opportunities, with one camper at Pilot Knob State Park mentioning, "Two fawns were born there, under one of the picnic tables and they were around all weekend." Fishing is popular at Crystal Lake Park and Clear Lake State Park, while hiking trails attract visitors to Pilot Knob State Park. Campsite privacy varies significantly between locations, with some areas like Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area offering more isolation during certain seasons. Most developed campgrounds maintain clean shower facilities and restrooms, though site spacing can be close in some parks, potentially limiting privacy during peak periods.

Best Camping Sites Near Leland, Iowa (70)

    1. Pilot Knob State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Forest City, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 581-4835

    $10 - $28 / night

    "Located by New Ulm, MN this campground has plenty of activities in the park or very near the park."

    "When driving to my site two fawns were laying near the playground."

    3. Clear Lake State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Clear Lake, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 357-4212

    $17 - $35 / night

    "We love coming to Clear Lake! The campgrounds are always very well kept, bathrooms very clean! Easy access to the lake, and the town has so much to do during the summer months!"

    "Clear lake state park is a nice campground. It does get very busy during peak season and traffic is continuous. It is clean and close to the beach. Down town and other shopping is a short drive away."

    4. Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Leland, IA
    8 miles

    "There is a boat launch and paths down each side of the launch you could fish. On the way in, you'll see a deck to the left, providing a scenic overlook."

    5. Crystal Lake Park

    1 Review
    Forest City, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 923-2720

    "Great fishing lake. A beach for the kids. Great family campground"

    6. McIntosh Woods State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Ventura, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 829-3847

    $12 - $60 / night

    "Sites arranged in a circle around a clean shower house. Potable water. Only 2 non-electric sites. Most sites level. Sites are close to each other, not offering much in the way of privacy."

    "Beautiful shaded campground near the lake, not far from town if you forgot something. We stayed in one of the two yurts- bunk bed plus a futon and table/chairs inside. Picnic table and grill outside."

    7. White Fox β€” Myre-Big Island State Park

    22 Reviews
    Albert Lea, MN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 379-3403

    "Nice fire pit and located right next to the lake. Only downside was the site was electric only. No option for full hookup but water was located between the sites."

    "There are plenty of walking and biking trails and there are walk-in tent camp sites. However, you cannot see the lake from the campground and there is no access to the lake from the campground."

    8. Thorpe Park

    1 Review
    Forest City, IA
    8 miles
    Website

    10. Myre State Park Campgrounds

    20 Reviews
    Hayward, MN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 379-3403

    "I've always considered myself blessed to have this state park so close to home. This is a beautiful, well kept state park."

    "You have a choice between a grassy walk or walking mainly on tar and gravel as part of the Blazing Star Trail. They are also accessible by boat."

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Recent Reviews near Leland, IA

210 Reviews of 70 Leland Campgrounds


  • Karla J. B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    George Wyatt City Park

    Small town overnight

    We stayed for one night so we could go fossil hunting at nearby Fossil and Prairie park. This campground has full hookups and gravel pads in what is basically a small town park. It was perfect for our needs -a place to stay. There are no reservations, just pay cash in an envelope at the info sign. There were 2 bigger RVs there the night we were. Bathrooms were adequate, with running water, soap and paper towels.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Lake Cornelia Park

    Great County Park

    Love Lake Cornelia. We’ve camped there a couple times with hammocks and tents. It can get pretty busy on the nicer weekends, so showing up before dawn to stake out your spot isn’t unheard of. The entire park is first come, first served.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Crystal Springs RV Resort

    Has a resort feel to it

    Spent one night passing through Ellendale Minnesota. Our reservation paperwork was waiting for us at the gatehouse with directions to our back-in site 11. A close walk to the laundry, showers and restroom pavilion was terrific. I can’t remember but I believe this was the best campground for low road noise of our entire trip!

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Siems County Park

    Nice little campground

    Mix of sites. Some have electric and water. Some have electric but have to share a water spigot. Small lake. Public restrooms and shower. Frisbee Golf. Well kept.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    Mixed bag

    Small campground. Not busy while I was here. Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites. Pit toilets. No showers. Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Devine Wildlife Area

    Free and fairly primitive

    Dispersed camping really. You can bring a big rig in. No really prepared sites. Maybe 5 places you could set up. No water, no electric, no toilet. Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent. But the price is right.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lotts Creek Co Park

    Camping in the shade of tall oaks

    Nice little campground. 5 sites. Water, electricity, picnic table and fire pit with grilling grate at each one. Flush toilet and sink in bathroom. Old style playground. Shelter with more picnic tables. First come, first serve. $15 per night. Nicely set up for a multiple family campout.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Smith Lake County Park

    Good value camping

    This is a pretty quiet campground in my experience. For $15 you get water/electric sites with access to bathrooms and showers. Dogs are allowed on leash. Pretty nice playground. The beach area has been taken over by geese though.


Guide to Leland

Dispersed camping locations near Leland, Iowa typically border public lakes and wildlife management areas. The terrain consists primarily of gently rolling hills surrounded by agricultural land at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. Winter camping options remain limited with temperatures often dropping below freezing from November through March, while summer humidity levels frequently exceed 70% during peak camping months.

What to Do

Fishing opportunities: Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area offers shoreline fishing access with boat launch facilities. "It's a nice spot off of the main road. There's a boat launch and paths down each side of the launch you could fish," notes a visitor to Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds report frequent deer sightings throughout the camping season. A visitor at Pilot Knob State Park Campground observed, "When driving to my site two fawns were laying near the playground."

Hiking options: Trail systems vary in difficulty and length. Myre-Big Island State Park features "20+ miles of hiking trails through prairies, woodlands, and along the lake too! Plus the park offers geocashing (and free GPS rental)," according to a reviewer.

What Campers Like

Private campsites: Campers appreciate secluded options when available. "This spot is exposed with virtually no privacy. (Winter/ early spring)... During the summer, when the corn is in, it looks like there would be plenty of privacy," notes a camper at Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area.

Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain quality bathhouses. At Clear Lake State Park Campground, "The campgrounds are always very well kept, bathrooms very clean! Easy access to the lake, and the town has so much to do during the summer months!"

Water recreation: Lakes provide swimming and boating options. "The lake was great, and calm," reported a visitor at Myre State Park Campgrounds, who "dropped our kayak into the lake at the boat launch, which was a 2 minute drive to the other side of the island from the campsite."

What You Should Know

Seasonal challenges: Weather conditions significantly impact site quality and accessibility. "We had lots of rain, and the sites got a bit muddy. The beach area was closed due to e-coli," notes a camper at McIntosh Woods State Park.

Site spacing: Proximity between campsites varies considerably by location. "The sites are very well maintained, but close to neighbors," reports a camper at Myre State Park, while another notes that "if full, you would have no privacy."

Limited amenities: Wildlife Management Areas provide minimal facilities. "There are NO amenities here. There's plenty of room here for any size rig," states a review of Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area.

Tips for Camping with Families

Playground access: Several campgrounds include play equipment for children. Three Fingers Campground receives positive feedback from families: "This is a great place for a week long stay or just a few hours! The camp ground is on the smaller side but it's clean and there is a play ground!"

Swimming options: Beach quality varies by location and time of year. A camper at Clear Lake State Park Campground noted, "Easy access to the lake... The campgrounds are always very well kept, bathrooms very clean!"

Wildlife education: Animals frequently visit campgrounds, creating learning opportunities. At Pilot Knob State Park, a visitor reported watching "turtles laying eggs and deer were all around. Family loved the fishing."

Tips from RVers

Electric service types: Most developed campgrounds offer standard 30-amp hookups with limited 50-amp availability. "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," reports a camper at Clear Lake State Park.

Site leveling challenges: Many locations feature uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. "Sites not too level, but spacious," notes a reviewer at Clear Lake State Park, while another at McIntosh Woods mentioned, "Most sites level."

Interior road conditions: Campground access roads may present navigation challenges. A reviewer at Myre-Big Island State Park warned, "The interior roads are dirt roads with a few potholes they are very narrow. We were able to drive through the campground with our 40 foot fifth wheel. But just barely, be careful!"

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Leland, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Leland, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 70 campgrounds and RV parks near Leland, IA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Leland, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Leland, IA is Pilot Knob State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Leland, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Leland, IA.