Best Campgrounds near Mineola, IA

Southwestern Iowa's Mineola area provides access to a range of camping experiences within the rolling Loess Hills region. Arrowhead Park Campground in Neola offers lakeside sites with electrical hookups and cabin options, while Lake Manawa State Park Campground in Council Bluffs provides both tent and RV camping with full amenities. The distinctive landscape features include the Missouri River corridor and the unique Loess Hills formations, with Hitchcock Nature Center offering trails through one of only two such landform systems in the world. Most campgrounds in the area are managed by county conservation boards or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with several sites offering water recreation opportunities.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability, with most facilities operating from April through October or early November. Winter camping options are limited, with one camper noting, "It appears not many people camp in Iowa in February. We had the campground to ourselves." The region experiences strong winds year-round, particularly in open areas. A visitor to Prairie Rose State Park reported "wind was intense and constant, probably about 20-25 mph all day and night." Flooding has historically affected campgrounds near the Missouri River, with some parks having undergone repairs following major events in 2019. Reservations are recommended during summer weekends, while spring and fall offer more availability.

Many campgrounds in the area feature fishing access and water recreation as primary attractions. Arrowhead Park receives praise for its affordability and maintenance, with one visitor noting "canoes and paddle boats are available for rent (prices are out of the 1960's...less than $5.00 per hour)." County parks like Botna Bend offer wildlife viewing opportunities including deer, turkeys, and even bison and elk in fenced areas. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with some visitors reporting closely spaced sites. Cell service is generally reliable for calls and texts throughout the region, with Verizon offering the strongest coverage. Train noise affects some campgrounds, particularly those near Council Bluffs, requiring earplugs for light sleepers.

Best Camping Sites Near Mineola, Iowa (93)

    1. Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Council Bluffs, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 366-0220

    $20 - $38 / night

    "Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean."

    "Our confirmation email included precise directions from I-29, with an interstate sign confirming the turn for Lake Manawa State Park, and provided the gate code for access."

    2. Hitchcock County Nature Center

    30 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 328-5833

    $10 - $50 / night

    "I pulled in late at night easy to navigate stayed the next day and did some trails apparently the land formations are 1 of only 2 in the world how about that Iowa."

    "We camp all the time at different locations, and I 100% recommend this campground! The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate."

    3. Haworth City Park

    8 Reviews
    Bellevue, NE
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 293-3122

    "Nice quiet campground away from the hustle and bustle yet close to city for anything forgotten."

    "Well,, it was alright, loud because of the toll bridge next to park, sites were close together, level, fire pits, picnic tables, electric, water and a dump station, stayed 3 days to visit family,, $20"

    4. Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Papillion, NE
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 592-8877

    $20 / night

    "There is a large paved path that goes all the way around the lake, while also connecting to the greater trail system  in the Omaha metro area.  There are singletrack trails available too. "

    "The location is great - 20-30 min from everything Omaha has to offer. The campground is spacious, affordable ($16/night), and has great reception with ATT and Verizon."

    5. Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino

    8 Reviews
    Council Bluffs, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 329-6000

    $40 - $50 / night

    "Very convenient location close to lots of shopping and the convention center."

    6. Arrowhead Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    21 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!"

    7. Pony Creek Co Park

    4 Reviews
    Glenwood, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 527-9685

    8. Offutt AFB FamCamp

    3 Reviews
    Bellevue, NE
    10 miles
    +1 (402) 294-2108

    "Wide open, no shade trees, next to Missouri River and 4 stars for rv camping. Very easy to find with directions posted on this site. Otherwise ... no rv or camper ... turn around."

    9. Glenwood Lake Park

    2 Reviews
    Glenwood, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 520-7275

    "A nice little city park in the Loess Hills of Iowa, it's not a destination but makes for a good overnight stop. The campground is primarily RV camping with about 20 sites with full hook ups."

    10. Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    29 Reviews
    Louisville, NE
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-6855

    $15 - $35 / night

    "A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."

    "A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."

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Recent Reviews near Mineola, IA

484 Reviews of 93 Mineola 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.

  • wayne H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Over looking the Missouri River

    This is a very nice and clean spot to camp for a bit. They have great hiking and bike trails. If you go make sure you hike over to the sunset viewpoint that looks out to the West.

  • 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.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area Tent Campsites

    Great state rec area

    Impressive recreation area. Campsites on and off of the water, all very nice. Lots of walking and bike riding. Very woodsy feeling through the whole park and a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River.

  • Trav S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    Sewer Dump Available

    This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska!

    It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay.

  • J
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Charity Lake

    Did NOT Feel Safe

    Gravel road is narrow w/ very sharp left turn to enter. Steep grade up to parking area required 4W drive. I do NOT recommend for over 24’ pull-behind camper. Once arrived, it’s a quiet & beautiful location. Very secluded & has no lighting. We were the only campers there, however, there was a single truck present. They were fishing, & the driver & passengers sharply eyed us up & down , then grimaced, which made us feel VERY uncomfortable, so we left immediately & made sure that they didn’t follow us. Our “Spidey Senses” were going off, so bugging out asap was the best option. Ended up camping behind a fuel station in the next town b/c we were so tired, but slept w/ one eye opened b/c it shook us so much. Reminded us of the movie “Deliverance” in a non-funny way. Would not recommend staying overnight if you’re there alone, it’s way too sketchy. Plus the skeeters ate us up & the toilet was putrid.

  • Allison B.
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Pine Grove RV Park & Campground

    Fantastic campground in ideal location

    We have camped here for the past three summers and will continue to come back for as long as we can.  Word to the wise: ignore any reviews prior to July 2023. That's when the new owners took over and have been making updates and improvements from day 1. We love the friendly staff, the onsite cafe, and the beautiful pool.  The owners take great care of the pool, so our grandkids come out and swim with us whenever they can.  So. many campground pools are a bit scary, but not this one.  

    We also love the front row seat to fabulous sunsets.  Some people complain about the I-80 noise, but it really varies. We never hear it when we are inside our motorhome.  Some evenings it is pretty loud outside and others we can barely hear it. It's worth it either way because we can hop on the interstate so quickly and be in Lincoln or Omaha in a snap.  

    Love this place!

  • 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.


Guide to Mineola

The Mineola area sits within Iowa's unique Loess Hills region, where soil formations were created by wind-deposited silt during the last ice age. Located just east of the Missouri River valley, the area's campgrounds experience strong seasonal variations in temperature, ranging from below freezing winters to humid 90°F summer days. During spring, camping can be affected by the Missouri River's fluctuating water levels, with sites at lower elevations occasionally closing due to flooding.

What to do

Archery practice at Hitchcock Nature Center: Located about 30 minutes from Mineola, Hitchcock offers an archery range for visitors to practice their skills. "Local friends told us about it, otherwise we would have never found it. Make sure to look at their events calendar, they have exceptional programs for all ages (and especially kids)," notes a visitor to Hitchcock County Nature Center.

Water recreation at Walnut Creek: Enjoy kayaking on the calm waters at Walnut Creek Lake, just 40 minutes from Mineola. The lake is particularly good for beginners. "The fishing is always as well as the kayaking is as well, (especially novice like myself). The birdwatching as well as the wildlife is abundant," explains a reviewer at Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area.

Loess Hills hiking trails: Explore the unique landforms with several miles of trails at varying difficulty levels. "The hiking is fantastic and offers something for every skill level. There are absolutely gorgeous views of the Missouri River valley below. All trails are marked and have multiple different trailheads, many which start around the visitors center/tower Overlook," reports a camper at Hitchcock Nature Center.

What campers like

Affordability of campgrounds: Many campgrounds in the region offer reasonably priced camping, particularly compared to other states. At Arrowhead Park Campground, a camper mentions, "Great price for electric hook ups and a shower house ($15). Would've stayed longer if we weren't going home. The host was very pleasant and helpful."

Open camping options: Some parks offer flexibility in where to set up camp. "I like that you can tent camp anywhere in the Camp area down by the lake with all your friends close by," notes an Arrowhead Park visitor who appreciates the freedom to choose locations rather than being limited to designated spots.

Hawk watching opportunities: The region's location along migratory bird paths makes it excellent for bird watching. "Great hiking in Loess Hills, great Nature Center especially with programming of 'Hawk Watch,'" mentions a visitor to Hitchcock Nature Center, referencing the park's popular hawk observation tower and educational programs.

What you should know

Train noise affects sleep: Many campgrounds in the area experience noise from nearby train tracks. At Louisville State Recreation Area Campground, a camper warns, "The harsh part of being located here is if you are looking for any kind of spot that accommodates a flat plot, like sites 206 - 236, you are butted up against the train tracks and that train is LOUD!"

Shade availability varies significantly: Many newer campgrounds lack mature trees. "No trees to keep you cool, but it's all brand new amenities with concrete pads, 40 amp hookups, sewer hookup, water, gated entry, and good signage," explains a camper at Lake Manawa State Park Campground about the tradeoffs.

Flooding closures can occur: Campgrounds near the Missouri River may close temporarily due to flooding. "This park is right off the Missouri river, and everytime there is flooding this places gets shelled. We had some major flooding here 2019, and it appears this park is still closed," reported a camper about Haworth City Park in 2020.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity considerations: When choosing a site, consider proximity to play areas. "About 150 yards from our site was the popular Dreamland playground, which draws families with young kids to that side of the CG next time, we'd choose a site farther from the playground for more quiet," advises a visitor to Lake Manawa State Park Campground.

Educational nature programs: Take advantage of nature center programming designed for children. "The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable," writes a visitor to Arrowhead Park.

Beach access for swimming: Several parks offer lake swimming options perfect for families. "Beautiful view of the lake and short walk to the swimming beach," notes a Lake Manawa camper about the convenient access to water recreation for children.

Tips from RVers

Self-service check-in procedures: Many campgrounds utilize self-service registration. "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," explains a visitor to Hitchcock County Nature Center.

RV site selection for views: Choose RV sites with views where possible. "Great back-in site w/30 amp electrical plug in, no water at site. Site is overlooking a small lake. Very quiet, dump station. All for $20 a night," explains an RVer at Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area, highlighting the value and scenic positioning.

Gate codes and access limitations: Be aware that some parks require reservation codes for entry. "Make sure you have a reservation for gate code. You cannot enter without it so the walk up sites won't be of any use unless you get there while someone is in the shack," cautions a camper at Lake Manawa State Park about access restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Mineola, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mineola, IA is Lake Manawa State Park Campground with a 3.2-star rating from 12 reviews.