Jason W.
Scout
ScoutWhite Fox Campground — Myre-Big Island State Park
Nice quiet campground
Spacious sites, clean (very clean) shower and bathroom facilities.
Camping near Leland, IA
72 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Leland, Iowa range from full-service RV and tent sites with electric hookups to primitive dispersed camping at wildlife management areas. 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 Campgrounds near Leland (72)
1. Pilot Knob State Park Campground
"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."
from $14 - $34 / night
Check Availability2. Clear Lake State Park Campground
"Site 1 is about as quiet as it gets tucked off to the side."
"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!"
from $18 - $38 / night
Check Availability3. Three Fingers Campground & RV Park
from $45 / night
Check Availability4. Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area
"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."
"It’s like a large gravel parking lot right on the lake. It was insanely peaceful and quiet the entire time. The birds chirping was beautiful."
5. Crystal Lake Park
"Great fishing lake. A beach for the kids. Great family campground"
6. McIntosh Woods State Park Campground
"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."
from $12 - $60 / night
Check Availability7. White Fox Campground — Myre-Big Island State Park
"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."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability8. Thorpe Park
9. Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area
10. Big Island Campground — Myre-Big Island State Park
"Met up with friends to get outside. They brought their dogs and we had a grand time."
"I've always considered myself blessed to have this state park so close to home. This is a beautiful, well kept state park."
from $24 - $85 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 18 min from Mankato, MN
- 1 hr 26 min from Rochester, MN
- 1 hr 38 min from Ames, IA
- 1 hr 51 min from Waterloo, IA
Recent Camping Photos near Leland, IA
36 Photos of 72 Leland Campgrounds
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Big Island Campground — Myre-Big Island State Park
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Recent Reviews near Leland, IA
226 Reviews of 72 Leland Campgrounds
Kimberly P.
GuideBeed's Lake State Park Campground
Fun on the lake
We stayed 4 nights at an electric site in Beed's Lake. After taxes and online reservation fees, it came out to a little less than $100. One of the restrooms was closed for maintenance the entire time we were there, leaving the whole park to share one restroom and 3 showers. The restroom was pretty clean, the shower was not so clean. It was an "I've seen worse" situation.. The campsites are really close to one another and I'm honestly not sure why because it wasn't even close to full. I was disappointed in the lack of any hammock trees. The real star of the park, of course, is the lake. We kayaked and fished the lake while we were visiting. The local reports suggested not swimming due to ecoli, so we did not do any swimming. We had tons of fun kayaking and fishing, but I was also a little disappointed in bank access for fishing, so I'm glad we had our kayaks. It was relatively quiet and everyone was friendly.
Lumpie C.GuideClear Lake State Park Campground
Quiet park with nice facilities
Many long sites with picnic tables and power at sites. Must be reserved online. Beware of site numbers in 70s as they have very significant slope!
- EEarl M.Scout
Blue Earth City Campground
A beautiful city-owned RV park
This place is a gem…immaculately maintained and tucked into a county fairground in rural Small-town Minnesota. Host Jim is friendly, hard-working and helpful. I’ll be back , God willin’. Earl
Kevin M.
TravelerClear Lake State Park Campground
Busy and densely populated
We are here on a Friday and almost all the spaces are full. Site 1 is about as quiet as it gets tucked off to the side.
Edward R.GuideHickory Hills Campground
The Pros and Cons
The camp grounds as a whole is well kept with gated entrance. Pool area spacious and clean. Has a very massive playground for the kids. We actually never saw the check in desk. Reservations were by phone at the check in area. I would of gave this park a solid 5....except for the gravel road and shower house. Pros: Well kept park. Somewhat quite. Few miles off I 35. Cons: Last 1.5 miles is gravel. But not real bad. A little dusty. The park looked like it had about 85% long term campers. We were on site 1. A longer rig probably wouldn't be very level. But manageable. We booked this for overnight for showers. The showers were very out dated and basically my wife said no way because of the mold and unkept unpleasant decor. The showers are very narrow. But hey...at least the shower had hot water on men's side.
- Crystal R.Guide
Big Island Campground — Myre-Big Island State Park
Beautiful but watch out for raccoons
I have stayed here 3 or 4 times and have enjoyed my time for the most part. Except the last time I was there (last summer) the raccoons were absolutely out of control. I didn't even have food unpacked out of my car yet and they were rummaging through my stuff while I was standing right there. They had no fear. I had a giant duffel bag full of tarps (not any food at all in it) and around 1am I hear the racoon trying to steal it. So I get up and put it in my trunk. The raccoon climbs into my trunk! While I'm standing right there, I've never seen anything like it.
Honestly everything else about this park is great. The island is gorgeous with beautiful sunsets, the hiking is great, the sites are nice, etc. But I probably will not come back just because of raccoons. Because keeping a clean campsite doesn't seem to matter for these critters.
- BBonnie H.Traveler
Albert Lea-Austin KOA
Nice Overnight Spot
This is a smaller KOA campground under new ownership. The owner and his children are very nice and welcoming. There were other reviews about it being overgrown but everything was nicely mowed when we arrived and I really enjoyed the peaceful setting. Easy off freeway, little freeway noise but not a problem. A bit rustic but clean campground. There are some piles of tree branches as there was a beetle problem and trees had to be removed. I’m sure it is temporary and will be gone soon. All in all a lovely quiet evening in our travels East. Site 53 is at the end of a row and very private location.
- CCarol B.Guide
Pihls County Park
Great for Overnight
Nice dock to walk out on. We stayed in a tent site close to the dock. We didn't need the hookup as we're in a truck camper but there are hookups available. You can pay online or there's a mailbox by the bathrooms where you can pick up a form to fill out, pay and drop in a locked box. There are flush toilets and shower available. Near the tent sites (which aren't numbered but there is a picnic table and fire ring) there is a vault toilet. There is potable water available at each hookup site and available to others as you enter the campground. When we were there, there were some long term campers camping. They were very nice.
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?
What camping is available near Leland, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Leland, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 72 campgrounds and RV parks near Leland, IA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Leland, IA?
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?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Leland, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Leland, IA.
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