Camping near Montrose, Iowa offers convenient access to both Mississippi River locations and inland forest sites across Lee County and neighboring Illinois. The area's topography transitions from river bluffs to gently rolling farmland with elevations ranging from 520 to 700 feet. Winter closures affect select campgrounds like Hickory Haven, which operates March through December, while others maintain year-round accessibility.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Wilson Lake Park features a stocked pond that attracts anglers throughout the camping season. "I saw many people fishing," notes one camper, highlighting the popularity of this activity at the small lake.
Swimming and water recreation: Lee County Pollmiller Park offers a designated swimming beach with rental options. "They have a good swimming area where you can rent canoes and different things which isn't very expensive," a visitor reported, making it an affordable option for water activities.
Hiking and disc golf: Wildcat Springs Park combines camping with recreational activities beyond typical campground offerings. One visitor mentioned, "Also on site is a very nice public pool and interesting Disc Golf course," providing entertainment without leaving the grounds.
What campers like
Affordable rates: Campers appreciate the reasonable pricing throughout the region. At Wildcat Springs Park, a reviewer noted rates had increased but remained reasonable: "Their website says the nightly fee is $15 for tents and $25 for RV. When we arrived we were informed that it had gone up to $20 for tent and $30 for RV."
Clean facilities: Hickory Haven Campground consistently receives praise for its maintenance standards. "First of all I have to say the bathrooms and laundry were very clean. The owner, John, was very friendly and helpful," wrote one camper, while another mentioned, "John provides a good size bundle of wood for 5.00 and brings it to your site."
Concrete pads: Multiple campgrounds offer level concrete pads, a feature many campers value. "Site was a concrete pull-through with more than enough parking for my TT and truck and grass on either side," noted a visitor at Camp Nauvoo, appreciating the practical layout.
What you should know
Site registration systems: While most campgrounds have staffed check-in processes, self-registration systems exist at several locations. At Rodeo Park, campers use "a self-service registration box" with rates at "$20 per night" for full hookups.
Winter camping considerations: Late-season campers should verify which facilities remain operational. A Nauvoo State Park visitor in November reported, "They had electricity and the dump station was operating, but the water hookups were shut off and the bath house was closed for the winter."
Road conditions: Access roads can present challenges for larger rigs. One camper at Nauvoo State Park observed, "The roads are very narrow and in need of repair," while another advised, "If you are southbound on Illinois Hwy 96, the left turn off the highway is very sharp and steep."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds that enhance the family camping experience. A Wilson Lake Park visitor mentioned the campground host was "super friendly! They ran over when we pulled in and helped guide us into our site," adding personalized service to their stay.
Swimming options: Duck Haven Campground offers fishing in its "7 acre stocked pond" with catch-and-release rules, while others mentioned Pollmiller Park's beach area is "a great addition for some family fun."
Free camping weekend: Budget-conscious families should watch for special promotions. At Pollmiller Park, a camper reported, "They had a weekend that u could stay there for free! It was very nice I was the only one at the campground at the time!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: RVers should note that utility connections aren't always conveniently grouped. A Camp Nauvoo visitor explained, "Utilities were located in different spots. 20A/30A/50A electric in the middle, water near the rear, and sewer near the front."
Water access in off-season: Late-season RVers should plan accordingly for limited water access. At Nauvoo State Park in November, a camper noted, "Water was available at a hydrant across from the bath house, but lacked a garden hose thread, so you could only fill water jugs."
RV size limitations: Some of the best places to camp near Montrose have size restrictions. A Hickory Haven camper observed their site was "full hookups, gravel" with "our spot very clean and level," but noted some campgrounds have "only a couple of sites large enough to handle our size."
