Tent and RV camping near Leon, Iowa centers around the 12,000-acre Rathbun Lake region and surrounding state parks. Winter temperatures can drop to single digits, with summer highs averaging 86°F, and spring often bringing muddy conditions to hiking trails. Most campgrounds remain accessible from April through October with Lake of Three Fires State Park offering year-round options for campers seeking off-season experiences.
What to do
Hiking native habitats: Hickory Hills Park features trails leading to historical Native American effigy mounds. "This is a great little park just east of New Virginia, Iowa. The hiking trails are pretty easy going through the forest and then opening up next to old Native American burial mounds. This is really a great place to pitch a tent," notes camper Matt S.
Disc golf courses: Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground offers a full frisbee golf course as part of its recreation options. A reviewer mentioned, "It has a good sized lake for fishing and kayaking, but not to big for large speed boats. It has miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing."
Stargazing opportunities: Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground provides excellent night sky viewing conditions during weekdays when crowds thin out. One camper reported: "The best parts of the park are the well-kept trails and stargazing! The clearing around the site gave great visibility of stars with very low light pollution."
What campers like
Affordable rates: Green Valley State Park Campground maintains competitive pricing for budget-conscious travelers. One camper shared, "Sites are spacious and at $16.00 per night a real bargain. Showers were always clean and it's a short drive or hike to the beach."
Privacy between sites: Pammel County Park offers well-spaced campsites with concrete pads for easier setup. A camper noted, "Sites are close together, but it wasn't crowded while we were here. The concrete pads were awesome for leveling our popups, the sites were VERY clean."
Clean facilities: Island View Campground at Lake Rathbun maintains well-kept restrooms and showers. A reviewer wrote, "Campground was very clean and staff was helpful and polite. A lot of spots have a nice view of the water. Restrooms/showers were clean, nothing fancy."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds near Leon operate from April through October, with reduced services in shoulder seasons. Winterset City Park specifically runs from April 1 to November 15 each year.
Fire pit conditions: At Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground, campers should note: "All fire pits have an incredible grate system for cooking. There's an over abundance of limbs and twigs for firewood, although a saw would come in handy."
Site reservations: During peak summer months, securing campsites requires advance planning. "It tends to be very busy. My stay was a week past labor day and still over half full," reports a camper at Island View Campground.
Firewood availability: Pammel County Park offers convenient firewood service. "The firewood was a gem at $10 for a wagon full!" noted a satisfied camper.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Green Valley State Park Campground features a designated swimming area with sandy beach. A reviewer mentioned, "We love camping here with the whole family even though we are only 20 min from home. Beach at walking distance through the trail."
Playground facilities: Winterset City Park provides play areas for children near camping sites. One visitor shared, "Cute little park just in the town of Winterset. There is a two mile loop that leads you up Clark's Tower where you can see the rolling hills of gorgeous Madison county."
Water activities: Lake Ahquabi State Park offers equipment rentals for family water recreation. A camper noted, "They have rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price! Dogs are welcome on a leash but not on the beach."
Tips for RVers
Hookup distances: Some sites at Winterset City Park require extension cords and longer water hoses. "The sites are pretty well spaced with lots of grass and some trees in between. It was a good value for full hookup sites," reports a recent visitor.
Site leveling: Lake of Three Fires provides relatively level concrete pads for RVs. "We had chilly weather, but marvelous views of the water. All fire pits have an incredible grate system for cooking," shares one camper.
Full hookup options: Lakeside Casino RV Park offers complete amenities for RV glamping in Leon, Iowa. A camper explained, "All the spaces are pulled through. It is very clean. There is full hook up for water, electric and sewer. All spaces are paved. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the park."
