Best Campgrounds near Lewis, IA

Southwest Iowa features several established campgrounds in the vicinity of Lewis, primarily offering developed sites with various amenities. Cold Spring Park, located directly in Lewis, provides both electric and non-electric options for tent and RV camping from April through October. Nearby state parks such as Prairie Rose State Park Campground (23 miles northwest) and Lake Anita State Park Campground (10 miles northeast) expand the region's camping inventory with additional accommodation types including cabins. Most campgrounds in this rural area maintain paved access roads with level, gravel sites suitable for recreational vehicles and tent setups.

Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with many facilities operating from early April through late October or December. The terrain around Lewis consists primarily of gently rolling hills and agricultural landscapes, with some campgrounds situated near small lakes and streams. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, with varying levels of additional amenities such as showers, water hookups, and sanitary dump stations. Cell service remains generally reliable throughout the area, though coverage may vary at some county parks. A camper noted, "Iowa has many great county parks, and this one is no exception. There are three campgrounds in the park. The South campground, Middle campground, and North campground."

Visitors consistently highlight water features as a significant draw at campgrounds near Lewis. Lake Anita State Park receives positive feedback for its lake access, with one reviewer mentioning it has "both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks." Prairie Rose State Park similarly earns appreciation for its scenic setting and recreational opportunities. The region primarily attracts local weekend campers and travelers passing through on nearby Interstate 80, with busier periods occurring during summer holidays and weekends. County parks like Botna Bend provide a more secluded experience while still maintaining reasonable proximity to small towns for supplies and services.

Best Camping Sites Near Lewis, Iowa (85)

    1. Lake Anita State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Anita, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 762-3564

    $15 - $33 / night

    "This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks."

    "Beautiful lake, great walking trail, close to town and I-80, but quiet and peaceful. Can’t beat it for $11 a night."

    2. Botna Bend County Park

    7 Reviews
    Lewis, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 741-5465

    "Iowa has many great county parks, and this one is no exception. There are three campgrounds in the park. The South campground, Middle campground, and North campground."

    "Walking on the trails reminded me of how beautiful nature is, because of all the flowers and tall prairie grasses."

    3. Prairie Rose State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Harlan, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 773-2701

    $15 - $50 / night

    "These Iowa state parks are extremely clean and well taken care of. The lake is huge with multiple trails that the kids loved. Playground was directly behind us which is a plus for us."

    "Reserved electric unit 090 for the weekend, which had a scenic corn field for a backdrop - this is Iowa!"

    4. Schildberg Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Atlantic, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 243-3542

    $25 / night

    "The trees at the campsites aren't mature enough for shade, but the ponds and trails more than make up for that."

    5. Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds

    7 Reviews
    Harlan, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 981-7072

    "The directions on this app take you to the first entrance which is not where the camping is, but follow the huge arrow and you’ll find it no problem."

    "I saw two tractors driving through town and only a few more cars.

    Best of all we had a full 5 bars of ripping Verizon service. What's not to like?"

    6. Cold Spring Park

    1 Review
    Lewis, IA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (712) 769-2372

    7. Pilot Grove Co Park

    1 Review
    Lewis, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 623-4753

    8. Arrowhead Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 485-2295

    "Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site."

    "I like that you can tent camp anywhere in the Camp area down by the lake with all your friends close by. the trails and playground equipment is nice and the fishing is great!"

    9. Viking Lake State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Stanton, IA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 829-2235

    $15 - $46 / night

    "We have been going to Viking lake for years. We hadn't been back until just recently. Our absence was due to an invasive species in the lake a few years back."

    "We been to Viking Lake a few times over the years. And it has been cool to see this place evolve over time. They did drain this lake a few years back."

    10. Littlefield Rec Area

    7 Reviews
    Exira, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 268-2762

    "Nice campground and staff, town close by if you need more supplies, we like it here!"

    "Lots of space around your site. Fills up fast on weekends. Would recommend this park."

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Recent Reviews near Lewis, IA

304 Reviews of 85 Lewis Campgrounds


  • Susan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino

    Road to Mackinac

    Just an overnight on our way to Michigan. Yeah it's a parking lot! Visited family just in the NE side of the river. Water and electric, not a bad price. Interstate was RIGHT THERE..... but the noise of our AC downed it out! 😎 Showers were low pressure and could have been better maintained.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    Nice metro campground

    Large concrete pads with patio and permanently mounted mesh steel picnic table with a fire pit grill on the corner.. Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean. Trees surround the campground, but none provide any campground shade. Entry gate code required, which provides some security. all amenities are available within a limited distance. Some lake activity noises during the day, and depending upon wind, some aircraft traffic, otherwise very quiet.

  • Holly M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Schildberg Recreation Area

    Didn't care

    We couldn't even get a return phone call for availability. We are seniors been travelling for months and driving almost 300 miles today. Pretty bad when you can't get a 2 minute call. Disappointed in this campgrounds protocol.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Green Valley State Park Campground

    Clean and well maintained

    July, 2017

    We stayed here for a week while working in the area.  Very nice place. Clean and well maintained.

  • Abby W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Simple Overnight Stay

    Stopped late after a long 12 hour drive. I loved the simple self service process. We picked an open spot, paid, and parked. The facilities were impressively clean and well maintained.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Nice stop for a night on the road

    20$ is a really good deal for a nice site with electricity, a picnic table on a cement slab and a hot free clean shower. We were hesitating between this spot and a truck stop with shower. More than happy and satisfied with our choice.

  • Kaelyn H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Prairie Rose State Park Campground

    great place, great views

    simple quiet spot! far from the interstate! great views of the lake with gorgeous sunsets! only problem is that there is only 2 bathrooms far from eachother so if you were to be in the middle it would be hard! which i was!

  • Anne K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Elkhorn Creek Recreation Area

    Beautiful sunset

    We loved the drive into the campground and found a grove of oaks to camp under. Everyone slept great.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2025

    Adair City Park

    Cute town park

    Small town park with spots to back in and plug in. Cost is $20 you put in an envelope by the bathroom. Got here at 9:30 and there was about 5 campers already here. Maybe 3 spots left. Quiet town not too much noise at all


Guide to Lewis

Camping near Lewis, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From beautiful lakes to well-maintained campgrounds, there’s something for everyone. Here’s what you need to know about camping in this area.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Viking Lake State Park Campground, provide great opportunities for fishing and kayaking. One visitor mentioned, “The lake is great for fishing, kayaking or swimming.”
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the trails at Arrowhead Park Campground. A camper noted, “There were plenty of mowed trails to walk about which we enjoyed a lot with our dogs over the weekend.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Campgrounds like Botna Bend County Park are perfect for spotting wildlife. One reviewer shared, “I saw deer, raccoons, turkeys, and a 4-inch caterpillar crossing the road.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities. At Lake Anita State Park Campground, one visitor said, “Good facilities (flushing toilets, good shower, spigot for drinking water).”
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Littlefield Rec Area mentioned, “Lots of space around your site. Fills up fast on weekends.”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. At Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park, one reviewer said, “The staff were so nice when we got there. They took care of everything.”

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A visitor at Lake Anita State Park Campground noted, “A bit noisy when I stayed (people playing loud music into the evening).”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. For example, Adair City Park lacks showers, which some campers found inconvenient.
  • First-Come, First-Served: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A camper at Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds mentioned, “It is first come so is probably busy in summer.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. Adair City Park has a playground, making it a fun spot for families.
  • Safe Environment: Many campers feel safe in the area. One visitor at Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds said, “It is a good price for full hook up, restrooms and showers.”
  • Group Camping: Consider campgrounds that allow group camping. A camper at Lake Icaria Co Park shared, “It’s quiet, beautiful lake, great boating, great swim spot, fun park for kids.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites for easier setup. A visitor at Viking Lake State Park Campground mentioned, “Mostly level sites with options for tenting or RV.”
  • Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups. One camper at Littlefield Rec Area noted, “Spacious sites power & water at sites, 15, 30 & 50 amp.”
  • Quiet Spots: Seek out quieter campgrounds for a more relaxing experience. A reviewer at Botna Bend County Park said, “Quiet and peaceful. Friendly and helpful campground staff.”

Camping near Lewis, Iowa, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Lewis, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lewis, IA is Lake Anita State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 24 reviews.