Best Campgrounds near Lucas, IA

Lucas is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Lucas is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Lucas. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Lucas, Iowa (101)

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Recent Reviews near Lucas, IA

330 Reviews of 101 Lucas Campgrounds


  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Nice campground. Clean. Well kept.

    We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Adventureland Campground

    Great campground and amazing amusement park

    July, 2017

    Great place but not quiet at all.  Short walk to the amusement park.  We were there for most of the early summer so we got a season pass to the park which included the water park.  They also have workcamper programs.

    We especially loved the fireworks display on the 4th.

  • 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.

  • Jerry V.
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    Well Maintaned & Good Fishing

    I stayed at site #13 with my two boys.  We had a blast.  I would highly recommend site #13.  It had plenty of space for a large tent and canopy.  It had a nice access spot for fishing.  The new restroom/shower facility was very nice and clean.  Most sites are pretty sandy as this was an old quarry so be prepared for that.  There was also company on-site that rents Kayaks.  The campground manager was extremely helpful.  He had firewood already staged for $7 and even came back on day two with more firewood for the same fee.

  • J
    Jul. 8, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Clean & quiet

    Made a quick trip here to de how the new puppy likes camping. Nice size campground, sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6’ hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site. Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks.

    Free WiFi was good; we streamed tv. It did freeze a few times but hard to tell if it was the WiFi or the provider.

    A new bath house, community room, and “shop” is being built. Bath house & laundry are complete. Very nice and spotless.

    The camp is quiet and well maintained.

  • Tiffany K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Howell Station

    Laid-back Campground

    This campground has great facilities with spacious sites. We have plenty of space for our dogs on two stakes. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are large trees that provide a lot of shade for the campground. There are play grounds for the kids. It is along a river for fishing and bird watching.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Shady Brook Camping & RV Adventures, LLC

    Excellent spot!

    We looked at the other reviews and it talked about it being so close to the freeway, but we didn’t hear a sound. It was really in a good perimeter of trees and lots of shade and level camp spots. We thought this was a nice little spot and a great price.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest

    Way too many insects, and $10 a night. No amenities.

    This place charges 10 bucks a night. You don't get a water station. You don't get a gray water dump. You do get trash cans on site. The sheer volume of insects makes it impossible to walk anywhere. Unfortunately, I have a dog and I have to go walk three times a fucking day. And this is the closest place to where my folks and I agreed to meet in about a week.

    At $10 a night, you'd think they'd at least have water, a gray dump, and some kind of insect control. But no, they don't. They do have maintenance coming around regularly, but nothing seems to get rid of the insects. It used to be $6 a night at one point. So I guess it went up. I don't see why. It's just like any other insect infested place to park.

    If it wasn't for the cost, I guess I'd give it three stars, but that'd be generous. I didn't give it one star because I can at least drive around on it with my bus.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2025

    Island Park Campground

    Nice NO FRILLS camp across the street from fair grounds

    This is a nice quit camp ground right across the street from the Dallas County Fairgrounds. Only stayed 3 nights and not on fair week but was nice, quiet, and inexpensive. It’s right on the river and lots of fishing.


Guide to Lucas

Camping near Lucas, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun, provide access to beautiful lakes. One visitor mentioned, "Very nice campground with lake to fish and boat on. Has beach access also."
  • Hiking and Biking: Trails are abundant in the area. A camper at Howell Station noted, "The campground has a bike/walking path that borders the River and winds through the woods."
  • Exploring Local Attractions: Campers can visit nearby towns like Pella, which offers charming shops and Dutch-themed attractions. One reviewer shared, "The Dutch themed town of Pella is a short drive and a must see."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Nine Eagles State Park Campground said, "Clean spacious bathrooms, nice playground for the kids."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many campgrounds, such as Yellow Banks County Park, offer large sites. One camper remarked, "Large spacious sites with a fire ring and picnic table."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campground hosts often receive praise for their hospitality. A reviewer at Pammel County Park mentioned, "Camp host's are the best ever. Clean facilities."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have stores or markets nearby. A camper at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground noted, "NO market available."
  • Wildlife Caution: Campers should be aware of wildlife in the area. One visitor 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."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds have specific seasons for camping. For example, Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground is open from April 1 to December 31.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for campgrounds that offer swimming or fishing. A family at Honey Creek Resort enjoyed, "My kids loved it. Lots to do and see!"
  • Check for Play Areas: Some campgrounds have playgrounds or open spaces for kids to play. A camper at Winterset City Park mentioned, "The bathroom was decent, and phone service was adequate."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food or check if firewood is available for cooking. A visitor at Pammel County Park found firewood for a good price, saying, "Firewood was a gem at $10 for a wagon full!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups. A reviewer at Honey Creek Resort noted, "The RV sites are all paved, level, full hook ups, spacious, with a view of the lake."
  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the sites can accommodate your RV size. A camper at Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun mentioned, "Campsites were spaced well apart with plenty of room on pad around campsites."
  • Be Aware of Traffic: Some campgrounds may have busy roads nearby. A visitor at Honey Creek Resort expressed concern about traffic, stating, "People fly by to the boat ramp all day."

Camping near Lucas, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Lucas, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lucas, IA is Middle Area Campground — Stephens State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What parks are near Lucas, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Lucas, IA that allow camping, notably Rathbun Lake and Lake Red Rock.