Glamping near Montrose, Iowa offers premium cabin accommodations at several county parks. Located in southeast Iowa's rolling hills, this area contains lakes and woodland terrain with elevations ranging from 600-750 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F with high humidity while spring and fall provide more moderate camping conditions.
What to do
Fishing from your site: At The Catfish Place Campground, campsites are positioned directly on a fishing pond. "My family stayed in our popup last September and it was great. Spot on beautiful pond. It was great to be able to fish from our site," notes Amy W.
Hiking nearby trails: Waubonsie Trail Park connects to both standard and equestrian trails with varying difficulty levels. "We hiked the equestrian trails one afternoon and the regular trails the next day. I camped in the equestrian campground and loved it with my popup," reports Joyce M.
Geode hunting: The region is known for geode formations, accessible near several campgrounds. "Close to geode hunting locations!!" mentions Amy W. about The Catfish Place Campground, making it a popular activity for rockhounds camping in the area.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Indian Lake Park maintains modern restrooms and shower facilities. "Very modern facilities that were clean," reports Charles A., while another camper notes the park has "a shower house with showers."
Helpful staff: Camp hosts receive consistent praise for their service and knowledge. "Tony and his wife are the camp hosts. Tony was so helpful and nice. The camp sites are spacious and clean," writes Jeannie B. about Indian Lake Park.
Budget-friendly options: Spring Lake Park offers economical camping options. "CHEAP primitive camping," Nick D. notes, while Colleen H. adds, "It's the most reasonably priced campsite that we have found so far."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some parks fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Need reservation with larger campers," advises Jean M. about Spring Lake Park, while others mention, "They don't take reservations but while it is usually full you can still get a spot."
Site variations: Parks offer diverse site types with different amenities. Waubonsie Trail Park provides both developed and more primitive options: "The equestrian area is the way to go in my opinion but i love the quiet. Picnic tables and fire rings are at each campsite."
Seasonal crowds: Expect different experiences depending on when you visit. "Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends," one camper notes about Indian Lake Park's usage patterns.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Waubonsie Trail Park offers family-friendly recreational areas. "Horseshoe pit, playground and campfire swing area were nice surprises. All for under $20 for electric RV site! Great campground for a small group event," mentions Tracy J.
Group facilities: Several parks accommodate family gatherings with dedicated spaces. At Indian Lake Park, there is "a stone lodge for family get togethers," making it suitable for reunions or larger group events.
Swimming options: Water recreation areas provide cooling options during summer months. Indian Lake Park features "a lake with a nice sandy beach," perfect for families seeking water activities during hot Iowa summer days.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Indian Lake Park provides waste disposal facilities on-site. "They also have a dump station," notes Mary F., an important consideration for self-contained RVs staying multiple days.
Site levelness: Many report good conditions for setting up RVs without excessive leveling needed. At Indian Lake Park, "Most of the sites are nice and shady and level," making setup easier for larger rigs.
Full hookup availability: Utility connections vary between parks and specific sites. "It has full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes, and f, playgrounds also cabins... some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full hookups also," explains Mary F. about Indian Lake Park's range of options.
