Camping near Oelwein, Iowa offers access to both urban amenities and rural outdoor experiences, with options primarily along river systems including the Cedar and Turkey Rivers. Located within the rolling hills of northeast Iowa, the area maintains average summer temperatures around 80°F, making May through September the prime camping season. Winter camping is limited, with most campgrounds in the region closing between mid-October and early May.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Backbone State Park, visitors can enjoy trout fishing in Richmond Springs. "The grounds were well kept and we had a phenomenal time. The girls gathered our firewood in the neighboring tree line, and our evenings were filled with fun and friendly camping neighbors," mentions one camper about the park's welcoming atmosphere.
River activities: Skip-A-Way Resort offers several water recreation options, including "canoeing, tubing down the Turkey River, swimming, fishing and paddle boats in the Lake, a splash pad for kids and occasionally a dumping tank for free, also miniture golf," according to a reviewer who praised the family-friendly environment.
Hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking paths, especially at Backbone State Park, where campers can explore the famous Backbone Trail. "We hiked on the famous Backbone trail - a really fun hike that isn't too incredibly long. The grounds were well kept and we had a phenomenal time," notes one visitor who took a group of sixth-grade Girl Scouts camping.
What campers like
Affordable pricing: Klocks Island Park offers budget-friendly camping with basic amenities. "Large park, no designated sites, fire rings spread around. Elect posts spread around. Water available a dump station on site $2.00 charge. Very green, a river all around the park. Our favorite place in the area. $12.00 a night," reports one satisfied camper.
Kid-friendly amenities: Beyonder Getaway at Lazy Acres provides numerous recreational options for children. "This place had so much! They had a little train ride, miniature golf course, catch and release fishing in their pond, splash pad, lots of cool things hand built structures to see as well," writes one reviewer who added an extra night to their stay because they enjoyed it so much.
Clean facilities: Modern bathroom facilities are available at many campgrounds, with George Wyth State Park receiving particular praise. "This is a clean and well kept campground. There are great paved trails, and it is close to the free John Deere Museum, and the Cedar Valley Arboretum," notes one camper who rated the park highly despite noting occasional mosquito issues.
What you should know
Cell service variations: While most rv sites near Oelwein, Iowa offer some connectivity, quality varies by carrier. At Klocks Island Park, one camper reported "barely usable Verizon service here and no T-mobile service," showing that connectivity can be unreliable in more rural campgrounds.
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. George Wyth State Park is open from April 1 to December 31, while most others close by mid-October. "This seems like a quiet campground. It's just off the highway but there was almost zero traffic on this small highway. I drove through here on a Saturday in mid September. All spots were taken," noted one visitor about Klocks Island's popularity.
Campground management: Management styles vary significantly between parks. One camper at Lakeshore RV Resort and Campground noted "Extremely strict rules. Stayed twice and not impressed either time. Covid made it even worse," highlighting the importance of researching park rules before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Child-specific activities: George Wyth State Park offers numerous kid-friendly amenities. "If you're looking for a wooded campground that offers you both quiet sites to relax but also offers a variety of activities for all ages, this is the place for you. For little ones, there is a large sand playground area with slides and swings," notes one reviewer.
Swimming options: Multiple swimming areas exist throughout the region's campgrounds. "There is a beach for swimming. Boats for renting but they were out of order for repairs when we were here. You can rent kayaks, bikes. They have mini golf but you have to pay 8 dollars for that," reports a visitor to Skip-A-Way Resort.
Accessibility considerations: For families with mobility concerns, some campgrounds offer accommodations. "My daughter is in a wheelchair so we requested the accessible site. It's right next to the showers with an adapted pic-nic table and raised fire pit!" shared a camper at Beyonder Getaway at Lazy Acres.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites near Oelwein offer various hookup options. At Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA, located about 45 miles from Oelwein, "Sites are gravel for the RV, reasonably level, and very well maintained. Most sites are pull through. Hookups are in very good condition. Each site had a grassy area with a picnic table," according to one RVer.
Site spacing: Site size and privacy vary significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are very close to one another, and most are very close to the road. In some cases, the best (read dry and level) the best spot to pitch a tent are also close close to the road," noted a camper about Wyalusing State Park, contrasting with the more private sites at other parks.
Additional services: Some RV parks offer extra amenities that can be valuable for longer stays. "The campground had a store, gas station and propane available. We had 4 bar LTE with Verizon. Our hotspot was usable and performed very well," reported one visitor to Lost Island Waterpark KOA, noting the additional conveniences available to RVers.
