The Lewis area sits at approximately 1,250 feet elevation within the rolling hills of southwestern Iowa. Campgrounds near Lewis typically remain open from April through October, with some facilities extending their season through December. Agricultural landscapes dominate the terrain, creating open camping environments with moderate tree cover.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Anita State Park Campground offers excellent fishing with a 171-acre lake as its centerpiece. "The lake is beautiful, and we also saw people boating, kayaking, and fishing," notes one visitor. The campground features a four-mile paved trail circling the entire lake.
Wildlife viewing: At Botna Bend County Park, campers can observe bison and elk in enclosures. A camper shares, "There were bison and elk in a fenced in area." Another visitor mentioned seeing "deer, raccoons, turkeys, and a 4 inch caterpillar crossing the road."
Water recreation: Littlefield Rec Area provides multiple water activities with its large lake. "The lake is beautiful" and offers opportunities for boating and kayaking. The recreation area includes a beach area and covered shelter spaces for day use activities.
Hiking trails: Prairie Rose State Park features multiple walking paths surrounding its lake. One reviewer noted, "trails are perfect for XC skiing in winter. We saw bald eagles and deer very close to the tent." The park maintains several miles of trails through diverse habitats.
What campers like
Affordability: Camping spots near Lewis, Iowa offer exceptional value. At Arrowhead Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Great price for electric hook ups and a shower house ($15). Would've stayed longer if we weren't going home." Another camper appreciated that "for only $10 dollars this campground has a lot to provided including free showers."
Spacious sites: Viking Lake State Park Campground provides well-separated camping spots. One camper observed, "Camp sites are spread apart giving u room to do things on ur camp site." Another mentioned, "Our campsite had great shade from the trees and was right next to an inlet from the lake."
Clean facilities: Lake Anita State Park Campground maintains high cleanliness standards. A visitor commented, "Everything is beautifully maintained from the grass covered campsites to the clean bathrooms and free showers." The park provides "Full hookup and tent campsites are plentiful with or without reservations."
Quiet atmosphere: Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds offers a peaceful camping environment. A camper reported it as "a hidden gem. Just 2 miles south of I80 but a world apart." Another visitor noted, "It is very quiet, right in small town America. I saw two tractors driving through town and only a few more cars."
What you should know
Site availability: Most campgrounds near Lewis operate on a first-come, first-served basis, especially for tent sites. At Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds, "not all spots have picnic tables or fire rings but there were very few campers so we had our pick of spots."
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds in the Lewis region have variable operating seasons. Cold Spring Park operates from April 1 to October 31, while Lake Anita and Viking Lake State Parks extend their seasons through December 31.
Privacy limitations: Some campgrounds have closely positioned sites. At Lake Anita, a reviewer cautioned, "the campsites have you packed in like sardines." Another mentioned, "Nice state park with all the amenities, but, this State Park definitely needs to be updated to accommodate the bigger and wider campers."
Water access: Many camping areas provide direct lake access, though quality varies. A visitor to Lake Anita noted, "Although swimming is also allowed, the beach was not the best for this activity." At Littlefield Rec Area, sites are "spread out over 4 campgrounds" around the lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Viking Lake State Park Campground, "There is also a nice sandy beach area for swimming." A reviewer at Lake Anita mentioned "a nice playground centrally located in the playground."
Entertainment options: Lake Anita offers special programs during summer. A visitor noted, "on saturdays during the summer they do Disney movies and free popcorn. The lake is good for fishing. They have a beach and volleyball."
Pet accommodations: Most campgrounds in the area welcome pets, though restrictions may apply. At Botna Bend County Park, facilities include "Good facilities (flushing toilets, good shower, spigot for drinking water). Spacious and shady tent area."
Recreational rentals: Some parks offer equipment rentals. At Arrowhead Park, "Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable." The park also features "several camp sights for RV and tent" making it versatile for different camping styles.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Schildberg Recreation Area provides full hookup options for recreational vehicles. A visitor noted, "Full hookups, shower house and huge dog park are also onsite making this a Cass County hidden gem."
Site dimensions: Campgrounds vary in their ability to accommodate larger RVs. At Prairie Rose State Park, sites are "nice level spots, fairly large, great fire pit with multiple grilling options."
Cell connectivity: Mobile reception varies significantly across camping locations. At Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds, a visitor reported "a full 5 bars of ripping Verizon service." Conversely, at Littlefield Rec Area, "No cellular service available. I was able to get nominal service with an external antenna and booster."
Utilities access: Water access points are available at most established campgrounds. Littlefield Rec Area offers "power & water at sites, 15, 30 & 50 amp." Viking Lake provides more economical options with "8 for camping, 12 with electric and 18 full hookups."
