Mount Ayr is situated in the rolling hills of southern Iowa at an elevation of 1,194 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers reaching into the 90s and winters dropping below freezing. Several county parks and state recreation areas surround the town, with most campgrounds located within a 30-mile radius on rural roads that can become dusty during dry weather.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Wilson Lake County Park offers a small lake for fishing away from crowds. "Had a blast here. Small, quiet place. We were the only campers," notes one visitor to Wilson Lake County Park.
Hiking trails: Explore the trail system at Green Valley State Park. "There is a nice trail to ride your bike around the lake and through the park. Don't leave your bike at home," explains a camper at Green Valley State Park Campground.
Frisbee golf: Play a round at Lake of Three Fires. "It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing," shares one active family who visited Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground.
Swimming: Cool off at the beach areas during summer months. Green Valley State Park features a swimming beach within walking distance of the campground. As one camper mentions, "Beach at walking distance through the trail."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Eagle Ridge RV Park provides a peaceful setting despite its proximity to Interstate 35. "Peaceful sites. Grounds very well kept. One of the best experiences on a site close to the 35, but far enough away you wouldn't know it," reports one visitor to Eagle Ridge RV Park.
Lake views: Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites. A camper at Green Valley notes, "What I personally like is that at Green Valley SP you can get a nice campsite right by the lake. This makes for great views when the sun is setting and rising."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk are prime times for deer sightings. "There are plenty of deer in the area at all hours of the day, so keep an eye out for them when traveling to and from town," warns a camper at Lake of Three Fires.
Cooking amenities: Fire rings at some parks have special features. "All fire pits have an incredible grate system for cooking," notes a camper about Lake of Three Fires.
What you should know
Shower facilities: Availability and quality vary widely between parks. At Marlin Fogle Rec Area, campers have access to showers, while a Wilson Lake visitor noted: "Clean bathrooms but noticed paid time showers were taped 'out of order' morning of our departure so no showers for us."
Site spacing: Some campgrounds have tight quarters. A Marlin Fogle visitor observed: "Looks like new facility. Just to close together. 25 ft or so side by side."
Accessibility: Several campgrounds are reached via gravel roads. A Wilson Lake camper mentioned: "Van and bikes covered in fine white dust from road."
Reservation systems: Many parks have limited or no advance reservation options. About Wilson Lake: "No way to make day before reservations so we gambled and drove in."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Ted's RV Park, families will find a "playground, dog walk, DELICIOUS on site restaurant."
Swimming beaches: Green Valley State Park offers family-friendly water access. A visitor notes, "The beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon."
Non-motorized boating: Lake of Three Fires is ideal for kayaks and canoes. "It has a good sized lake for fishing and kayaking, but not too big for large speed boats," explains one visitor.
Off-season timing: Consider scheduling trips during school periods. One Green Valley camper advised: "We visited in August and realized it was prime family vacation time before school starts up again, so a little crowded and noisy. We plan to go back when Autumn arrives, mid week."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds can be challenging. At Sands Timber Rec Area, an RVer cautioned: "Could have a problem if you encountered another rig if it was wet. The lake looks nice. Cheap at $15."
Electrical service: Check amperage availability before arrival. Sands Timber provides "Only 30amp, No dump facility," while Eagle Ridge offers full-hookup pull-through sites.
Dump stations: Not all parks have on-site dumping. A visitor to Poe Hollow County Park noted the availability of "Power hookups available and covered/enclosed group areas," but no dump station.
Spacing considerations: Site dimensions vary significantly. At Lake of Three Fires, one RVer observed: "The sites can be inconsistently sized. We found some tent sites that were less than half the size of our site, and they were packed like sardines."
