The Montrose, Iowa area sits at the confluence of the Iowa and Mississippi Rivers, offering riverside camping in southeastern Iowa. Campers access this region via Highway 96, which runs along the Mississippi River bluffs with elevations ranging from 528 to 670 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Boulder Lake Campground, campers can fish in several lakes within Wakonda State Park. One visitor noted, "The park has several lakes to fish and boat with multiple trails ranging from 1 to 5 miles."
Hiking trails: The trail system at Geode State Park Campground provides varied terrain for hikers. A camper mentioned, "The trail system around the lake is in pretty good shape and makes for some great mountain biking." Another visitor shared their rainy day experience: "You go for a hike in the woods and find treasures. The sounds of nature are so amazing."
Water activities: Despite some water quality issues, several parks offer water recreation. At Boulder Lake, visitors can enjoy "kayaking rentals available, and a swimming beach too." Ferry Landing provides unique river access where "Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests."
What campers like
Peaceful environments: Many campers appreciate the quiet settings at campgrounds near Montrose. At Updog RV & Camping, visitors enjoy the "serene" atmosphere with "lots of trees for great shade in these hot days. Nice pond for some fun fishing."
Clean facilities: Driftwood Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. One reviewer called it "super clean, super helpful" and noted "the showers and restroom were impressively clean." Another mentioned "clean facilities, full hookup sites with concrete pads."
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers find good value at rv sites near Montrose, Iowa. Geode State Park offers primitive camping at reasonable rates: "We stayed labor day weekend. Just pulled in and gave them our $12 a night. No electricity or water in our site. Clean bathrooms. Cheap wood for fires."
What you should know
Site spacing concerns: Some RV camping areas near Montrose have limited space between sites. At Crossroads RV Park, one visitor observed sites are "pretty close" while another noted it was "good for overnight" with "easy access."
Seasonal lake conditions: Water levels fluctuate significantly. At Geode State Park, a camper reported, "The lake itself has been drained for about 3 years now and shows no signs of being filled again. Though they say it will be."
Noise considerations: Not all campgrounds provide quiet surroundings. One Crossroads RV Park visitor reported: "The issue is NOISE!! Constant train traffic all night! Horns blaring! The tracks are less than 1/4-mile away. And quite a bit of freeway noise, too!"
Wildlife awareness: Prepare for insects and wildlife. At Ferry Landing, campers should "look out for insects," while at Boulder Lake Campground, visitors observed that "the lakes are not clear and had snakes which we saw while fishing."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Nauvoo State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities: "There are a couple of close playgrounds you can walk to. Right across the street from the historic sites." Boulder Lake Campground is described as a "large family fun campground with a little bit for everyone."
Best tent sites: Families looking for tent camping should note specific site recommendations. At Boulder Lake, "The tent part is a loop with sites in the middle (37-50) having the best trees for hammocks and the sites on the outside of the loop having the most level places for pitching a tent."
Kid-friendly activities: Children enjoy exploring unique features at some parks. Wakonda State Park has "some interesting cement tunnels/bunkers that kids might have fun exploring," while Nauvoo State Park offers "great kid friendly, wooded camping" with "lots of shade, mostly wooded spots."
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: RV drivers should plan routes carefully when accessing rv sites near Montrose. At Driftwood Campground & RV Park, visitors appreciate the "clean facilities, full hookup sites with concrete pads" and that it's "a nice, clean, updated facilities."
Winter camping options: Late-season RVers have limited choices. At Nauvoo State Park, a November visitor found "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: Some campgrounds have road maintenance issues. A Nauvoo State Park visitor noted "the roads are very narrow and in need of repair," while at Geode State Park, "once blacktop roads inside campground are now 'Hardpack' with small loose gravel covering the roadways."
Hookup variability: RV sites near Montrose, Iowa offer different utility options. Boulder Lake provides electric hookups and water access points, while Crossroads RV Park features full hookups year-round, making it suitable for different camping styles.
