Best Camping near Leon, IA

Searching for the best camping near Leon, IA? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Leon, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Leon camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Leon, IA (63)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 63 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Leon

Recent Reviews in Leon

146 Reviews of 63 Leon Campgrounds


  • Bobby B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Grand Trace State Forest
    Oct. 2, 2024

    Grand Trace State Forest

    Quiet Missouri Conservation Area

    In Amish country. About eight fire rings. Probably could park anywhere and camp regardless of rings. 2 OCT 24 and been here five days and saw only two other campers. One night and two night stays for them. Safe place although I am a manly man so I do not worry. Safe for females I mean. About 30 minutes to Bethany proper where civilization is. 3 bar Verizon reception.

  • Deb M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Winterset City Park
    Aug. 31, 2024

    Winterset City Park

    Great city park on a cute town

    Nice city park campground close to lots of covered bridges and other things to see. The sites are pretty well spaced with lots of grass and some trees in between. It was a good value for full hookup sites. The bathroom was decent, and phone service was adequate. We just spent one night here on our way home from Colorado, but will be returning in the fall to explore more and see some colors.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Paho
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Lake Paho

    Sparsly Used Dark sky Campsite

    Very nice view of the lake, lots of campsites around the lake. Not many lights around and no big cities and a low horizon so it’s a good place to visit for a visual observation night with a telescope or binos. Only one other camper at my campsite when I visited, so it’s a good weekend retreat from the city life. This is a primitive campsite; there are two waterless bathrooms and 8 or so gravel spots at site B on the Eastern side of the lake.

  • Laura W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Green Valley State Park Campground
    Aug. 23, 2024

    Green Valley State Park Campground

    Timing is everything!

    Pretty grounds with woodland coverage on all sides in addition to the lake. We visited in August and realized it was prime family vacation time before school starts up again, so a little crowded and noisy. Spots are pretty close together too. But the grounds are quite lovely and the facilities were super clean. We plan to go back when Autumn arrives, mid week. Bonus easy shore fishing access.

  • Renee H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeside Casino RV Park
    Oct. 31, 2023

    Lakeside Casino RV Park

    Decent place to spend the night

    RV park is relatively quiet and easy to get into. The concrete in our site was in poor condition, it had crumbled leaving a dip in the pad. The cable didn’t work, but electric and water had no issues. Easy on and off to the interstate. There is only one garbage dumpster near the entrance and we didn’t see a camp host on site or anybody to check in with. We stayed just one night on our way through the area and were comfortable.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeside Co Park
    Oct. 18, 2023

    Lakeside Co Park

    Nice lake, but run down campsites.

    First, there is no dump station! All sites have water and electricity with 20, 30, and 60 amp plugs. The sites are 20 dollars. The campsites located near the entrance are pull-through but need maintenance. The campsites along the lake will support short to medium length RVs or trailers, and all are back in. As of this posting, all are not level and in poor condition. The city of Huneston, Iowa is a few minutes away and has several gas stations and a grocery store.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from East Lake Co Park
    Aug. 26, 2023

    East Lake Co Park

    Newer so campground still being established

    The campground was clean and quiet with water and electricity at each site. The dump station was set aside from the camp sites. The trees at the campground were recently planted so no shade. The best part is that there is plenty of room between camp sites so your not camping on top of your neighbors. Playground and bathrooms on site.

  • Alex D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Criss Cove County Park
    Jul. 26, 2023

    Criss Cove County Park

    Hot hot hot

    Cute little campground by the pond. We arrived pretty late. Cute campground, but boy oh boy is it muggy. Between the heat and the pond near by be sure you’re prepared for damp, muggy, and buggy conditions. Otherwise cute little place. There is a bathroom- I didn’t need it but its there!

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Sands Timber Rec Area
    Jul. 13, 2023

    Sands Timber Rec Area

    Small, secluded, on gravel, single lane entrance.

    Just scouted, sites are within spitting distance of each other. Only 30amp, No dump facility. Could have a problem if you encountered another rig if it was wet. The lake looks nice. Cheap at $15.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Winterset City Park
    Jun. 21, 2023

    Winterset City Park

    Beautiful setting and quiet

    Wonderful setting and quiet place to stay. Beautiful views with quick access to Bridges of Madison County. Great hook ups and utilities!

  • Tammie C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pammel County Park
    Jun. 4, 2023

    Pammel County Park

    I'll be back

    This is a beautiful park with lots to do and miles of woods to explore. AT&T cell service was excellent throughout. And camping fees are extremely reasonable. I didn't stay the night but will be back.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Prairie Ridge Camping
    Apr. 23, 2023

    Prairie Ridge Camping

    Good overnight

    This appears to be a new campground with full hookups and drive thru’s. Well leveled gravel. Good scenery. No evidence of out buildings, showers etc. Very quiet.

  • Dylan H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Quail Ridge Campground
    Apr. 19, 2023

    Quail Ridge Campground

    Clean, Conveniently Located, Level Park

    Park has underwent a full makeover. Electrical, plumbing, surfaces all have been updated. Level, full-hookup, pull-through sites. First come first serve basis, always sites available unless if a holiday or abnormally buys traffic.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Prairie Ridge Camping
    Jan. 20, 2023

    Prairie Ridge Camping

    Family Owned Campground

    Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to have this property on our platform. Featuring 12 RV sites and a camper rental, these's plenty of options to choose from. Book your stay and come back here to leave a review.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Buffalo Run RV Park
    Dec. 27, 2022

    Buffalo Run RV Park

    Cute and quaint

    This campground is close to I35 and makes a great stop on road trips if you're heading south! Affordable and quiet.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area
    Oct. 28, 2022

    Little River Recreation Area

    Off the beaten path and very quiet

    General: This small county park (16 electric, 14 tent sites plus three cabins) is not reservable which might be an issue on summer weekends but on a Sunday in April, was no problem. Including us, only three sites were occupied. The rates are very reasonable -$15 for electric, and $12 for tent sites. 

    Site Quality/Facilities: Each site has a generous-sized picnic table and fire ring. Some sites are better than others, however. Sites 2 and 3 (both electric) are sloped down and the driveway is a bit overgrown. No physical separation between sites which when we were there was not an issue but might be when more crowded. Some of the sites have a direct water view but again, some are more sloped than others. 

    Bathhouse: A short hike uphill from all sites but it was very clean when we were there. The showers also looked clean, but I did not use them so cannot comment on how well they worked. 

    Activities/Amenities: Fishing! We saw a few boats on the water when we were there and there were two docks, one of them handicapped accessible. Swimming is not allowed but there is a nice day-use area not far down the road with a nice beach and picnic area. There are also horseshoe pits and a small but very nice playground. No hiking trails that I could discern. There was also a small little free library. 

    When we were there, we appreciated the quiet, out-of-the-way setting. It is close to the town of Leon but we circumvented it on the way in and out so I don’t know what services might be available.

  • Marla A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Eagle Ridge RV Park
    Oct. 20, 2022

    Eagle Ridge RV Park

    Great Stay

    Two hour notice! Super nice hosts and very helpful getting us settled in our spot. Very nice and neat Campground! We will definitely be back!

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Ted’s RV Park
    Oct. 4, 2022

    Ted’s RV Park

    Great rural stop!

    Terrific small town RV park in Iowa. Long, level pull thru's and back ins, playground, dog walk, DELICIOUS on site restaurant. Clubhouse with immaculate laundry and individual showers, everything is new and cashless. Outstanding staff, friendly and helpful, shoutout to electrician (and footbal fan) Eric who made o ur day.

  • r
    Camper-submitted photo from Crowder State Park Campground
    Aug. 25, 2022

    Crowder State Park Campground

    Nice park and campground

    Very nice area. The camping spots are relatively level and are mainly concrete or asphalt. The park hosts are friendly and helpful. The bathrooms and showers are very very clean. Even the vault bathroom next to our site wasn’t that nasty.

  • Sean & Holly H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Eagle Ridge RV Park
    Aug. 1, 2022

    Eagle Ridge RV Park

    Perfect get away off the 35

    Small campground with available spot with 2 days notice. Peaceful sites. Grounds very well kept. Full hookups and friendly staff. One of the best experiences on a site close to the 35, but far enough away you wouldn't know it. Good wifi. If you're looking for a beautiful park, this is it!

  • Deb M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
    Jul. 25, 2022

    Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    Overnight stop

    This was our very first night with our rental RV, so we were pretty clueless. :) We enjoyed the ease of our pull-thru site, although ours and most of the others were fairly open. The park itself has a nice lake, and the bathroom/showers were decent. A good overnight on the way to the Ozarks from MN

  • Deb M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Crowder State Park Campground
    Jul. 25, 2022

    Crowder State Park Campground

    Nice, but some pretty small sites

    This worked great as an overnight stop on our way to MN. We were there midweek during the off-season, so our nice pull-thru site was fine. Some sites were small and open. Bathrooms were closed for the season, but the building looked pretty new.



Guide to Leon

Camping near Leon, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to check out.

What to do:

  • Explore local attractions: Many campers enjoy visiting the covered bridges of Madison County, which are just a short drive from Des Moines West KOA Holiday. One reviewer mentioned, "Convenient to John Wayne’s birthplace and covered bridges of Madison County."
  • Fishing and boating: If you love water activities, Lake Icaria Co Park is a great spot. A visitor said, "The lake is great, nice beach and boating!"
  • Hiking: Trails are available at Walnut Woods State Park Campground. One camper noted, "There are trail heads near the campground that follow along the raccoon river for almost 2 miles."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Timberline Campground highlighted, "Clean bathrooms, beautiful property."
  • Friendly staff: Many visitors mention the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Yellow Banks County Park said, "Very clean campground with friendly host."
  • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. A review for Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground mentioned, "Large spacious sites with a fire ring and picnic table."

What you should know:

  • Site proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "Sites are relatively small and close together."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have markets or stores nearby. A review for Pammel County Park mentioned, "If you don't reserve a site at the beginning of the year, you are out of luck."
  • Wildlife encounters: Campers should be cautious of wildlife. One camper at Yellow Banks County Park warned, "Other campers warned us not to leave anything out at night because teenagers come through sometimes looking for stuff to steal."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or fun amenities. A review for Timberline Campground mentioned, "Fun pool, and quality facilities."
  • Pet-friendly options: Many campgrounds allow pets, making it easier to bring the whole family. A visitor at Des Moines West KOA Holiday said, "Off-leash dog area available."
  • Plan for meals: Some campgrounds have food options on-site. A camper at Yellow Banks County Park noted, "Pizza on site is excellent and you can order it ahead for your arrival."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure to choose a site that fits your RV comfortably. A review for Walnut Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
  • Electric hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Timberline Campground said, "Full-hookups worked fine."
  • Avoid peak times: If possible, try to camp during the week to avoid crowds. One camper at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground mentioned, "It was very muddy when we camped here, so we had to turn around about 1.5 miles into our hike."

Camping near Leon, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Leon, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Leon, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 63 campgrounds and RV parks near Leon, IA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Leon, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Leon, IA is Nine Eagles State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Leon, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Leon, IA.

  • What parks are near Leon, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Leon, IA that allow camping, notably Rathbun Lake and Lake Red Rock.