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!
