Best Camping near Montezuma, IA

Montezuma is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Montezuma is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Montezuma, IA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Montezuma, IA (83)

    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Creek State Park Campground

    1. Rock Creek State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    38 Photos
    82 Saves
    Kellogg, Iowa

    Camp in one of several campsites near the park’s lake, featuring both electric and non-electric sites, a modern restroom and shower building. Several campsites sit on the water’s edge and provide beautiful views of Rock Creek Lake. One-fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and advanced campsite reservations through the online reservation system for Rock Creek State Park

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $6 - $12 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Diamond Lake County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Diamond Lake County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Diamond Lake County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Diamond Lake County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Diamond Lake County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Diamond Lake County Park

    2. Diamond Lake County Park

    8 Reviews
    26 Photos
    26 Saves
    Montezuma, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    Camper-submitted photo from Kellogg RV Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Kellogg RV Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Kellogg RV Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Kellogg RV Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Kellogg RV Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Kellogg RV Park

    3. Kellogg RV Park

    11 Reviews
    26 Photos
    10 Saves
    Kellogg, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park

    4. Lake Iowa County Park

    6 Reviews
    14 Photos
    23 Saves
    Williamsburg, Iowa

    Lake Iowa Park offers a quiet, safe and beautifully-maintained campground that includes 120 rocked pads with electricity, shower houses and a dump station. There are water hydrants with rural water spread throughout the campground to fill your camper tanks. There are two non-electric areas suitable for tents which are within a short walk to the shower house. Currently there are no reservations for camping, it is all first come first served.

    2 cabins are available for rent. Each cabin has a full kitchen and ADA compliant bathroom and will sleep 8 people.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    Camper-submitted photo from Newton KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Newton KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Newton KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Newton KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Newton KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Newton KOA

    5. Newton KOA

    10 Reviews
    30 Photos
    18 Saves
    Kellogg, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Whitebreast Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Whitebreast Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Whitebreast Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Whitebreast Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Whitebreast Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Whitebreast Campground

    6. Whitebreast Campground

    8 Reviews
    9 Photos
    70 Saves
    Lake Red Rock, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
    Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
    Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
    Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
    Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
    Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station

    7. Howell Station

    5 Reviews
    13 Photos
    28 Saves
    Pella, Iowa

    Overview

    Howell Station Campground sits just below the Red Rock Dam and Lake on the north side of the Des Moines River. Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake, located just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife. For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here: Lake Red Rock Website

    Recreation

    Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, largemouth and striped bass, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.

    Natural Features

    Hardwood forests cover the riverbanks at Howell Station, offering shade and scenic views. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrate through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March. White-tailed deer, turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake.

    Nearby Attractions

    Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.

    Charges & Cancellations

    A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Cancel or change reservations through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $24 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park

    8. F. W. Kent Park

    16 Reviews
    57 Photos
    102 Saves
    Oxford, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    $20 / night

    • No image available

      9. Robertson Access

      1 Review
      Montezuma, Iowa
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • RVs
      • Tents
      • Standard (Tent/RV)
      Camper-submitted photo from Iowa Lake Co Park
    Showing results 1-10 of 83 campgrounds

    Pet-friendly camping near Montezuma

    Recent Reviews in Montezuma

    248 Reviews of 83 Montezuma Campgrounds


    • Misty B.
      Camper-submitted photo from BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
      Nov. 12, 2024

      BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

      Will not be back! Lot of Money and Issues

      Water keeps running out. When it does run its white and tastes nasty. You can't do anything with it except flush and shower and that's if it doesn't run out. Pressure horrible. Was charged $1300 for 6 weeks plus I have to pay coat of utilities. They are no longer maintaining the grounds. The pool has been left unfinished for years and is still sitting empty with minimal plastic netting around it. The streets are caving in. The swimming water is right next to the beach pond where your stool is broken down and treated (although it isn't working correctly causing massive issues with odor, color and taste and then recycled back to your camper for showering and drinking water, washing dishes, etc. Hills (where campers park) all lead to bottom of hill where pond is, so if maintenance is this bad now, imagine sliding downhill into the pond due to ice and snow. Showers have push button that only runs water for couple minutes and it's set temp so you have no control over the temp at all. The whole park is run down, lots are extremely small and parking is only on gravel, but many lots only have enough gravel to park a camper so you have to park on other side of park and rent a golf cart (which is extremely high at 100 for 2 days or 60 for one day.) or walk. I could go on, but many others will be posting to tell the same. Had to move from lot 69 to 85 because it was so slanted my disabledd daughter couldn't make it across the lot to the camper. (She has autism and cerebral palsy)

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Otter Creek Lake and Park
      Nov. 6, 2024

      Otter Creek Lake and Park

      Nice County CG along lake

      CG has basic amenities- fire ring, table, gravel pad, electric, and water though shower houses are closed for season. Nature Center offers education displays and programs. Lake offers paddling, fishing, etc.

    • Leslie K.
      Camper-submitted photo from Outback Campground & Resort
      Oct. 7, 2024

      Outback Campground & Resort

      Wallaby Cabin Review

      This review is for the Wallaby cabin. This cabin supposedly has a bathroom with a shower, 3 beds and a kitchenette. The bathroom has a shower so small it is difficult not to rinse one's hair while applying shampoo. There is no sink in this room for brushing teeth, washing hands or face, etc. There is no mirror either, or hooks for towels or washcloths or clothes. There is also no heater. The cabin has no closet or any place to hang any clothes. There were several bugs crawling on the ceiling. The wall A/C could not help but spew dust, as it was coated with that on the filter and cover. The trash can had a clean bag, which occupants are required to leave in dumpster at checkout. When removing the bag, the stuck-on mess under it was appalling. The bed in each loft area had obviously been used and not changed, as the covers were in disarray and the bottom sheets not clean. The main bed has a zipped on plastic cover which the loose fitting fitted sheet will not stay on, causing occupants to end up sleeping on plastic. We purchased a blanket to go over it for the next night. We would not have stayed more than one night but, as we had reserved 3, it is not refundable. The tv is to the side of the immovable chairs, so that one must have head turned completely to one side to watch. The cabin has such a slant that a ball will roll by itself to the entrance side. All this for more than$350 for 3 night stay.

    • Ken G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
      Sep. 23, 2024

      Lake Iowa County Park

      very nice and clean. Lots of sites but well spaced

      Not too far off the highway.  Very clean and quiet.  The campground is above the lake but a short trail will take you to the lake.  Couldn't see the lake from where we camped, but nice woody area behind our campsite.  Nice little visitor area.  Lots of trails to walk with the dog including a nice trail along the lake.

      Great place to spend one night.  If I had more time, I would have gone paddle boarding or fishing on the lake.

    • Michael K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Ashton Wildwood Park
      Sep. 22, 2024

      Ashton Wildwood Park

      Small but great spot to camp

      Very clean, easy to reserve. Bathroom was a pit toilet but clean. Camp spot was clean and well-maintained.

    • Katie P.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt
      Sep. 21, 2024

      Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

      Campground closed

      Drove 6 hours to find out the campground is closed (apparently for all of fall and winter) without any awareness of that being the case online. Now I have to figure out somewhere to go at dinner time with my over-tired toddler and two dogs. Frustrated.

    • Evan G.
      Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
      Aug. 22, 2024

      F. W. Kent Park

      The perfect weekend get away

      My dad and I tent cramped here in mid August. It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City.

    • James P.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Roberts Creek West Campground
      Aug. 18, 2024

      Roberts Creek West Campground

      Roberts Creek - East

      East not west as satellite view in Dyrt is old and doesn’t show East campground. I did add a screenshot of current satellite view. FHU. Easy in and around campground. A lot of space between sites. Sites are fairly level with hard pack gravel.

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Union Grove State Park Campground
      Aug. 12, 2024

      Union Grove State Park Campground

      Loved it!

      Loved this campground! We just stayed for one night, but wish it had been two. Small and quiet. A few trails to hike and a horse camp that I didn’t have time to explore. Nice lending library as well. Bathroom/shower combos are nice (1 is ADA). Not far off the interstate. Some sites are off with level & weird (ie stairs/door open on an incline and away from the table), and our picnic table was sloped. So pick your site carefully. 19E was ok - table not level and high stairs required from TT but good for Starlink connection and close water spigot (elec only at these sites)

    • Evan G.
      Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
      Aug. 12, 2024

      F. W. Kent Park

      The perfect Amana colonies campsite

      Amazing experience with lots of amenities and space to spread out.

      Easy to get to, very well maintained, electric hookups with 120 volt power outlets, lots of stuff to do, including: hiking, swimming, kayaking, easy to get to amenities and grocery stores. plenty of trails and overlooks with picnic benches. Fire pits With built in grill grates.

    • Kim F.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Windmill Ridge Campground
      Aug. 10, 2024

      Windmill Ridge Campground

      Hidden little gem

      Clean, quiet and well set campsite for all camping styles. Set well off the main road, the gravel road is well maintained, graded well for easy driveable whee truck, rvs or trailers. Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two. Check it out, don't believe you will regret it. Peace fellow travelers.

    • Randall K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
      Aug. 9, 2024

      Lake Iowa County Park

      Great spot for a great price

      Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen. $10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong?

      Only issue is that the spots are pretty close together. Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed. At 3am we decided we needed to move to an electric site because it was too much to have the windows open. I felt really bad for anyone in a tent. I coughed all the next day.

      The campground was not that busy so there is no way I would stay here on a busy holiday weekend due to the spots being too close. If a few people make a fire you better shut down all your windows. No sleeping in the cool, night air here.

      But this is an issue at other places too. Just never experienced anything on this level before. Esp considering no one in our section even had a fire going.

      I wish campgrounds would start banning these fires. But that’s a topic for a later date.

      Other than that it was a great spot.

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Caylx Creek, Shepard Hut
      Jun. 30, 2024

      Caylx Creek, Shepard Hut

      Neat cabin tucked in woods

      New! Has everything you need to get away-kitchenette, queen bed, AC, trails, large lavender farm! Farm store offers foods, drinks, lavender harvesting.

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
      Jun. 24, 2024

      F. W. Kent Park

      Great County park with lake

      Park offers: lake fishing, paddling, swimming beach, trails, education center. Sites offer: hard surface, table, fire rings, hosts, firewood for purchase, play areas, RR, storm shelters, views.

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from brinton timbers park
      May. 31, 2024

      brinton timbers park

      Great park no showers though

      I stayed at the main site that google maps took me to. Three spots but the park is big there might be more sites around it. It is near skunk river I only stayed there for a night but where I was to get to the river you have to hike or bike to it. I’ve heard you can ride horses here. They have fire rings, picnic tables, and a bathroom that’s deep and composting. No sinks or showers. Bugs were wild at night but it is summer. No one disturbed us and it was free the best park of it all. Hoping to make it back there to go through the trails. I believe you can hike and camp too in the area.

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Keokuk County Belva Deer Park
      May. 31, 2024

      Keokuk County Belva Deer Park

      Clean park warm showers

      $12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance. Stand-alone bathrooms throughout the park have the deep composting toilets that smell bad but whatever the ones up front are nice. Would recommend 10/10

    • Lisa M.
      Camper-submitted photo from BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
      May. 28, 2024

      BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

      I'll never stay here again.

      I will start by saying the staff was very friendly. Outside of that this was the worst place we have ever camped. Not only did it look like EVERY site was uneven this place was extremely outdated. When you look at the website it makes it sound like they have kid activities(the kid activities was kite making with dollar tree plastic kites and a"mud pit" that was a kiddie pool they added some dirt to and water.) Their kid activies are definitely for ages 7 and under. They had no activities for pre teen/teen age other than cornhole/bags on Sunday afternoon at 5pm when most people would be checking out at 2pm if they only came for the weekend. The golfcart rentals are$60 per day or$100 for two days which seems extreme but there isn't much reason to rent one unless you just want to drive around the pothole filled roads in the park. We drove all around the park and never seen a water trampoline, the pool is being built not sure how long that has been in progress, the live music they had NO live music in a huge camping weekend(memorial day weekend). The showers/bathrooms are extremely outdated gross. We have had this location saved since last year on our must camp list but wanted to make it a time the entire family could join and it was a huge let down! At over$200 for three nights(which was required for a holiday weekend) you would expect this place to be nice. Unfortunately the places we have stayed for$15-$20 a night are by far way nicer than this place. I would not recommend this location to anyone. Attached are the lovely playground photos. I cropped the kids out so one swing does look like it's missing but it is not.

    • Renee H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
      May. 7, 2024

      Howell Station

      Large spacious campground

      Well maintained campground with mature shade trees. Gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required. Poor Verizon cell signal, no internet signal. Not much natural privacy between sites, but sites were well spaced apart. Paved trail nice for biking and walking. Fishing nearby and the Dutch themed town of Pella is a short drive and a must see. Bathrooms and showers were nice, clean. Handicap camp site and bathhouse available. Firewood for sale at front gate. The potable water available at the dump station was clear and good for drinking. Dump station is easily accessible. Dumpsters were positioned around the campground. Staff was friendly. The night we stayed, there was a severe weather threat, and the staff, at the end of the night, had unlocked the storm shelters (utility area in the middle of the bathhouses) should the need arise. We ended up having to seek shelter because of a tornado warning.

    • AThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground
      Apr. 12, 2024

      Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground

      Hidden hideaway

      Stopped here for the night as a layover and had a great site. Everything you need in a campground. Bathrooms and showers are clean. Water and electricity at site, along with picnic table and fire ring. Trails close by and only about 5 min from expressway.

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Newton KOA
      Apr. 1, 2024

      Newton KOA

      This KOA Deserves Your Attention

      Literally a single stone’s throw from I80, one of the busiest thoroughfares you’ll find yourself on here in the great ‘Hawkeye State,’ this is one campground that very much deserves your attention, despite being a KOA. In fact, this campground outpost is so close to the highway that you’ll be hard pressed not to see or hear it during your entire stay. While this KOA does sit down a bit from the hustle & bustle that comes with a major interstate highway, a good number of the available RV sites sit on a sloping hill that is the same elevation as the highway itself, so if you do have the choice, opt for the lower sites (more on that later). 

      Sitting just 30 minutes east of Des Moines, Newton KOA offers up about 100 sites for RVs and 5th wheelers offering up all the standard hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp- but be careful because some sites only offer 30 or 50, while some do offer both, so be sure to ask when making your reservation). For mi tent pitching bredren, there’s about a dozen or so sites to choose from and all are fairly intermingled with the RV sites, although each site does sit on a plush patch of grass, so this KOA does a nice job on that front of integration. Oh, and if you don’t have an RV, 5th wheeler or a tent, on worries, this KOA will rent you one of its three cabins. 

      As this is a KOA you can expect a ton of amenities and this place does not disappoint with: catch & release fishing pond w/ fish cleaning station (that is oddly placed about as far away from the fishing pond as you can get), disc golf course, K9 camp for the puppies, cable TV, WiFi, in-ground pool (available 5/25 until 9/3) with ADA pool lift, horseshoes, meeting rooms, firewood for sale, LP gas refueling station, pool table, shuffleboard, social lounge, two kids playground, laundr-O-mat, basketball court, restroom & shower facilities, mini-market with basic groceries, ping pong, jump pad, game room, gaga pit, designated dumpster and dump station and of course the scattered fire pits and picnic tables. Just to go above and beyond, this KOA serves up free breakfast of flapjacks on Saturdays. Yahoo! 

      Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Whether you are pitching a tent or pulling up in your RV, the best sites IMHO are those in the lower valley, but located right in front of the main office, where there are 6 RV slots numbered #45 – 50 and 6 tent sites numbered T1 – T6; (2) Should you get hungry and might want to try some local fare, check out Taco John’s and La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant, which I guess stand for ‘local’ around here, although there is Newton Family Restaurant. If you are looking for something really different and amazing, I would suggest heading on over to Dan’s Sandwich Shop, which feels like real Americana from a bygone era, complete with a diner-esque vibe and matching elbow counter to warm up to over a nice piece of apple pie, scoop of ice cream washed down with a hot mug of coffee; (3) While this KOA has a mini-market, you will find a bigger selection with better prices just down the road at the local Walmart, where just due west of this, you’ll find a Hy-Vee Grocery store with a wine & spirits shop positioned there as well. Further down the road, you have excellent fresh cut meat from Fareway Grocery, but check out the local hotspot, Newton Market as well; and (4) While what you will discover from an outdoor standpoint at Newton KOA is interesting, if you want something more substantial, head to Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for 6 acres of family-friendly landscape to explore with more displays and demonstrations that you can shake a stick at! Seriously, there’s a butterfly garden, peony border and nearly 200 individual species of trees here to check out. 

      Happy Camping!

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Kellogg RV Park
      Jan. 1, 2024

      Kellogg RV Park

      Barren Campground Gem Just Off Highway

      I like this place, I really do. It certainly packs a punch with all of the amenities that Kellogg RV Park offers up, not least of which is partnering up with apparently the best burger joint in the whole of Iowa. Burgers and camping? Can it get any better? Well, while this location gets extra points for achieving EZ on- and off-again I80 highway access, that likely is also its downside, as you are so close to arguably the busiest of all thoroughfares here in the state of Iowa that it makes you wonder if you are really getting away from it all or just taking a quick pitstop. 

      As for the grounds themselves, they are very well organized and nearly everything on this property is either brand-spanking new or has a nice degree of ‘kitsch’ that just feels right where you are at in the middle of the Midwest. There’s a well-appointed separate laundry location on the NE corner of RV Park, with a community shower/ bathroom facility smack-dab in the middle of the place, making it central and convenient to get refreshed. There’s a simple little loop that will jog you around the place, where in all there’s some 38 spots perfectly carved out for RVs or 5th Wheelers. While the map for Kellogg RV Park indicates a playground behind the laundry, if it was there to begin with, it has been replaced by a chicken coop, which I have to admit is pretty dang awesome to be woken up by these fine-feathered friends each dawn. Plus, um, there’s fresh eggs for your brunch munching pleasure! 

      With amenities in mind, each pull-thru, gravel-strewn site (all 18’ wide with lengths ranging from 65’ to 85’) comes equipped with all of the typical hook-ups (20 / 30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) along with plenty of in-ground fire rings, stand-up BBQ grills and plenty of brand new picnic tables along with complimentary WiFi. There’s solar panels on the for southwest corner of the campground, which sadly eliminates the vibe that you are out in nature. If there was just one bit of advice I would give this place it’s this(and it’s quite simple): plant some trees! That’s the one thing I noticed that felt incredibly weird… there’s just a few trees in this whole place. Granted, it is somewhat surrounded by corn fields, but here’s a hint: After mid-September when all that corn is harvested, the place feels like a barren desert, so how you compensate for that is by planting trees, shrubs, bush or anything that would make this place feel like it was planted in nature versus carved out of a watershed. 

      While the main office is up front where you would have seen that Iowa’s Best Burger Café sign, where there’s also an Amoco gas station along with a convenience market that has limited groceries and supplies. Bonus points to Kellogg RV Park for having an F5-rated tornado shelter located on-site, so while your RV might blow away, no worries, you and those you hold most precious will be protected in the event of a tornado, which is important because this state gets hit by them all the time. They’ll also sell you a bundle of firewood for$6 / bundle, which is fair, especially considering that they’ll deliver the bundles directly to your site. 

      Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) IMHO the best sites are those located as far east and north as possible (yes, right near the laundry facilities and chicken coop). Why? Well, because they will be furthest away from I80, so less noise, plus they are on the periphery, so this offers up better views of corn country, and additionally, more tranquility. Plus the shower / restroom facilities are centrally located, so not too far away; (2) If you are looking to get buzzed while out here at Kellogg RV Park, you are in luck as just nearby there’s Grinnell Craft Brewhouse, Buzzed Bee Meadery as well as Van Wijk Winery – all of which are absolutely worth the visit!; (3) Should your foodie vibes need to be tamed while here, head on over to nearby Maytag Blue Cheese for a slice or slab or head on over to Dayton Meat Products, which not only processes meat in case you are out and about with a bow & arrow, but will serve up some pretty outrageously awesome sausages, loins and particular cuts of meats that you just can’t find anywhere nearby. Oh, and if farmer’s markets are your thing, then check out nearby Grinnell Farmers Market or Jasper County Farmer’s Market – both just 10 minutes from here; and (4) Once you grow tired of pillaging your on-board mini-fridge or Cordova roto-molded cooler and are looking for some local fare, I will have to admit that Iowa’s Best Burger Café does live up to its boast – and while I didn’t have another burger while I was in the ‘Hawkeye State’ I do make it my business to check stuff out when I see ‘Best’ noted anywhere and there’s reasonable proof behind this claim here, so give the good folks here the better side of your discerning tastes and try them out. Oh, and there’s that little thing that there’s not too much competition in these parts, so unless you are up for a good drive, the only other joint is RJ’s Bar& Grill, which trust me, is much more Bar than Grill. 

      Happy Camping!

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Diamond Lake County Park
      Jan. 1, 2024

      Diamond Lake County Park

      Lakeside Campground Bliss

      While it was our first time camping in Iowa, we were extremely lucky to land upon this slightly hidden fresh water centered campground just a 20 minute drive south of Route 80 near Montezuma, wherein one needs only follow Road#63, before coming across Diamond Lake County Park. With the fall colors being in full bloom when we visited, the entire campground was awash in bright yellows, reds and oranges from the changing colors of the leaves. Also, as we were visiting in mid-October, versus some of the other reviews here, we found that we had the place mostly to ourselves, which made for a rather peaceful sublime respite we were searching for. 

      As for the campground itself, what we enjoyed most was how this location is, for the most part, very well organized in keeping the RV'ers and 5th Wheeler crowds together, while preserving a nice slice of verdant lakeside pasture for us primitive camper types. Each of the sites for camping come equipped with (in most cases) fairly new aluminum picnic tables, fire ring with folding BBQ grill. While we didn’t stay in the RV areas, given our tent-pitching persuasion, what we did see was fairly impressive and looked altogether rather brand new with freshly poured concrete slots and fairly mint-looking RV hook-ups (50 amp electric and water) and this same area also boasted a brand new restroom facilities. 

      Obviously, the main attraction here is Diamond Lake itself, with its more than 90 acres of fresh water, albeit murky fresh water, was certainly a hit with this camping family. We enjoyed being able to get out on the lake with our kayaks and canoes as well as go for very long walks around the circumference of the lake itself, with which you will find simply splendid trails. And if that’s not enough exploration for you, then head further inland and away from the lake to explore this parks other 660 acres of grassy prairieland. 

      From an amenities standpoint, there’s a decent amount, including: three shower houses, four shelters, 2 dump stations, three his / her latrines (some much more dated than others), boat ramp and fishing dock, a dedicated fish cleaning station and what looked to be a fairly new kids playground. In all there’s a total of 120 sites to choose from, with 80 designated for RVs / 5th Wheelers and 40 earmarked for primitive camping, which do not come with any electric, which was on one hand the biggest bummer, but on the other hand, offered up front-row access to lakeside camping bliss as many of these primitive campsites are located right on the water’s edge. 

      Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Check-in is self-registration and is done onsite, so net-net, this place is first-come, first served as no online or advanced registration is taken. While we didn’t mind this, and given that we arrived right around noon as folks were actually checking out, we got the ‘pick of the litter’ of campsites. Electric sites are $20 / night and non-electric are $10, so this place is incredibly affordable; (2) If you are looking for some grub nearby after growing weary of another meal of franks & beans, then there’s really just a few nearby options: Subway, Sauced Pizza & Pub, Casey’s and Yolanda’s Tacos over in the little town of Montezuma; (3) While there are actually few different campgrounds here at Diamond Lake, for primitive campers, the best sites IMHO are located as far southwest as you can possible go around the lake, where there’s more than a dozen or so sites that sit right in front of the water and present a completely isolated surrounding. 

      Happy Camping!

    • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
      Jan. 1, 2024

      Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

      Sleepy Campground Oasis Stone’s Throw from Highway Thoroughfare

      Should you be traveling east-west on one of the country’s busiest thoroughfares – Route 80 – and find yourself in central Iowa and looking either for a place to pull over for a day or for much longer than that, then you may very well want to consider Beyonder Getaway at Sleep Hollow. Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and drive-by buzz of non-stop traffic. 

      This campground oasis planted square in the middle of the 'prairieland' of the Hawkeye State, you’ll appreciate that there is a decent-sized lake here that is perfect for a quick dip should you want to get some swimming in and cool down from the blistering Midwestern summer heat or perhaps you’d like to put a kayak or canoe in to get some decent oar exercising in or cast a line to try your luck and some mild ‘catch& release’ fun – whatever the reason … up to and including no reason at all … the mini lake that is front and center here at Beyonder is both a good distraction as well as makes for a great landscape. 

      As for the campground itself, there’s RV sites offering up pull-thru and back-in sites complete with full hook-up water, 30+ 50 amp electric and sewage lines. If you’re a primitive camper like me, there’s a handful of sites (7 by my count) that include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills. And if you don’t have either a tent or an RV, no worries, Sleepy Hollow will easily rent you one of their 3 cozy cabins which are located up front and close to the fishing pond, where these structures come with running hot and cold water along with electricity. 

      With amenities in mind, Beyonder packs a punch with offering the following: horseshoes, kid’s playground, dog run/ puppy park, designated dumpsters, fairly decent WiFi, community firepits, general market store, laundr-O-mat, shower facility, pavilion, game room, ball pit, volleyball and basketball courts, man-made beachhead with swim area and windmills. Oh, and there’s a lagoon with hundreds of ducks, but depending upon how you look at this, it may or many not be considered an amenity. My kids loved it and we had a lot of fun feeding our feathered friends. 

      Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) When you get tired of digging through your Cordova roto-molded cooler or onboard mini-fridge, then head on over to nearby Renee’s Roadhouse where this roadside stand serves up standard-fare Americana fare like burgers, sandwiches and wraps; (2) For anything more substantial, you’ll have to take a longer drive east to Iowa City of which I recommend Foundry Food+ Tap, Back Berner Bar& Grill or Casa Tequila Tiffin; (3) Should you be looking to explore a nice slice of nature while here at Beyonder’s then head due northeast to Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area where there’s plenty of trails, shooting ranges and some fairly decent bird watching; (4) If you’d like to embrace the Amish vibe that exists here in rural Iowa, then head due north to Amana Colonies where you’ll come across what looks like German colonies that have been expelled from the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) where this displaced utopian outcrop will sell you anything from blankets and cabinetry all while offering you some nice wienerschnitzel and apfelpflanzen. Auf wiedersehen! 

      Happy Camping!



    Guide to Montezuma

    Camping near Montezuma, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds, there's something for everyone.

    What to do:

    • Fishing and boating: Many campgrounds, like Rock Creek State Park Campground, provide access to beautiful lakes. One reviewer mentioned, "The lake is pretty, it's right there at the campground. Boat, kayak, and canoe rentals seemed reasonable."
    • Hiking: Trails are abundant in the area. A visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground noted, "Right next to trails... quiet and pretty level sites."
    • Swimming: Campgrounds like Sugar Bottom Campground have swim beaches that are perfect for families. One camper shared, "The beach was a plus for the kids as well."

    What campers like:

    • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for F. W. Kent Park highlighted, "Clean bathrooms with good showers."
    • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. A visitor at Cherry Glen Campground said, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
    • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground hosts. One reviewer at Bob Shelter Recreation Area noted, "Friendly hosts & Rangers."

    What you should know:

    • Reservations: Some campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Prairie Flower Recreation Area advised, "You must reserve these sites in advance."
    • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have markets or stores nearby. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "There’s no place to buy firewood nearby, so come prepared."
    • Wildlife: Campers should be cautious about wildlife. One camper 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."

    Tips for camping with families:

    • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and swimming areas. A reviewer at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "New playground for the kids."
    • Pack for activities: Bring along games and outdoor toys. A camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground suggested, "There were rangers checking out the area every so often."
    • Plan meals: Having a meal plan can make cooking easier. One camper at F. W. Kent Park noted, "Fire pits with built-in grill grates."

    Tips from RVers:

    • Check site sizes: Some sites may be tight for larger RVs. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "We had to put blocks under the passenger-side tires."
    • Look for full hookups: Campgrounds like Bob Shelter Recreation Area offer electric hookups, which can be a big plus. One reviewer said, "Clean, level sites, close to fishing."
    • Use apps for reservations: Many campers find it easier to book sites through apps. A visitor at Prairie Flower Recreation Area noted, "It is easier to do so on the app versus the web."

    Camping near Montezuma, Iowa, provides a great mix of nature, fun, and relaxation. Whether you're with family or enjoying a solo trip, there's plenty to explore and enjoy!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Which is the most popular campground near Montezuma, IA?

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Montezuma, IA is Rock Creek State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 18 reviews.

    • What parks are near Montezuma, IA?

      According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Montezuma, IA that allow camping, notably Lake Red Rock and Coralville Lake.