Best Campgrounds near Mount Vernon, IA
Campgrounds near Mount Vernon, Iowa include established sites with varied amenities and natural settings. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground, located directly in Mount Vernon, offers electric hookups, shower facilities, and accommodations for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping options. The surrounding area features several additional campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Lake Macbride State Park with both modern and primitive camping areas, Sugar Bottom Campground in Solon, and West Overlook Campground in Iowa City. Most campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, with many offering water access for fishing, swimming, and boating.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the area, with most campgrounds operating from April through October, though some remain open year-round. Spring flooding can impact accessibility, particularly at riverside locations like Palisades-Kepler State Park and campgrounds along the Iowa River and Coralville Lake. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and University of Iowa football game days when sites fill quickly. The region experiences typical Midwestern weather patterns with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Several campgrounds offer both primitive and developed sites with varying levels of amenities. As one visitor noted, "The Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds. A call ahead to the conservation office to check on closures is a good idea."
Campers consistently praise the natural settings and water access available at campgrounds throughout the region. Lake Macbride State Park receives positive reviews for its shaded sites and proximity to water recreation, with one camper highlighting that "the lake is beautiful, the modern toilet house was clean, there was water on site." West Overlook Campground, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, stands out for its "large sandy beach, modern boat launch area, and options for a variety of kinds of campsites in separate loops." Many campgrounds feature hiking trails, playgrounds, and boat ramps. The region's campgrounds serve both as destinations for local residents and convenient stopovers for travelers on I-80, with several reviewers noting their value as inexpensive basecamps for visiting Iowa City or the University of Iowa, typically just a 15-20 minute drive away from most camping areas.
