Best Glamping near Onawa, IA

Onawa-Blue Lake KOA and Lewis and Clark State Park house upscale outdoor accommodations for travelers seeking comfort in nature. The KOA features both cabin and glamping options, including yurts with premium amenities, while the state park offers cabin accommodations with lake views. "The campground was very clean and quiet. They have full service hook ups," noted one visitor about Lewis and Clark State Park. Both locations provide electricity, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and clean facilities. On-Ur-Wa RV Park adds another glamping option with its convenient location and well-maintained grounds. The properties offer a blend of rustic charm and modern conveniences, with spacious sites situated among scenic surroundings that include water views and shaded areas beneath cottonwood trees.

Blue Lake provides the perfect backdrop for glamping experiences with swimming, boating, and kayaking opportunities directly from the shoreline. Hiking trails wind through the parks, offering chances to explore local flora and fauna. A recent visitor mentioned, "We were able to reserve an electric unit right off the lake and across the road from the large playground." The area's family-friendly atmosphere includes outdoor movies during summer months and seasonal events like Halloween trick-or-treating in October. Proximity to Interstate 29 makes these glamping destinations easily accessible while still providing a peaceful retreat. The campgrounds remain open seasonally, generally operating from April to October, with some facilities available year-round depending on weather conditions.

Best Glamping Sites Near Onawa, Iowa (13)

    1. Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Onawa, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 423-2829

    $15 - $40 / night

    "Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa!"

    "Access to water close by. Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake."

    2. On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Onawa, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 423-1387

    "It’s right by a small truck stop, but the noise was not bothersome at all. There is a small dog park for the pups. Bathrooms and showers are clean."

    "Great location. Very nice campground. Large spacious pull thru sites. Extremely clean bathrooms and showers. We stayed twice, westbound and eastbound. Very friendly, nice people."

    3. Onawa-Blue Lake KOA

    7 Reviews
    Onawa, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 423-1633

    "Conveniently located approximately 2.5 miles West of I29 and on the Eastern edge of Lewis and Clark state park which makes this KOA very quiet."

    4. Tekamah Memorial Park

    2 Reviews
    Tekamah, NE
    17 miles
    Website

    "Close to town, stores, food. $15. Night in 2025. Fair. Good place for quiet, inexpensive nights. Quite a good deal.👍"

    5. Hitchcock County Nature Center

    30 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 328-5833

    $10 - $50 / night

    "Bathroom was clean, lit, and stocked - even had hand sanitizer! RV loops had flush toilets and showers, but we didn’t stay long enough to make the trek worth it."

    "Best campground shower I've ever had in my life, both in water pressure, heat and cleanliness of facilities. Be aware that it's first come first served."

    6. Scenic Park

    17 Reviews
    Sioux City, IA
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 494-7531

    $18 - $30 / night

    "Scenic park is across the Missouri river from Sioux City,  Iowa.  It is easy to get to. Very friendly staff.  Restrooms are kept clean. "

    "We stayed in a pull through that was very spacious with picnic table and fire pit. Spectated by trees so your not on top of your neighbor. Bathrooms and showers were very clean!"

    7. Nelson Park Crawford County Park

    2 Reviews
    Dunlap, IA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 643-5426

    "I wanted a weekend away from the craziness so chose to go "home" for my first solo trip in quite awhile."

    "Has a descent size lake good for kayaking and fishing."

    8. Crawford Creek County Rec Area

    3 Reviews
    Ida Grove, IA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 364-3300

    "Nice bath houses. Clean area. Good for the family."

    9. Missouri Valley City Park

    4 Reviews
    Missouri Valley, IA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 642-2857

    "It is right next to a busy railroad, but we cranked up our fans and barely noticed the trains and their horns."

    "Besides the traffic noise because it's close to the hwy, the train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep."

    10. Little Sioux Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Correctionville, IA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 372-4984
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Glamping Reviews near Onawa, IA

112 Reviews of 13 Onawa Campgrounds


  • N K.
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    Clean & kid friendly

    Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa! We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water. Short walk to the very clean restrooms with flush toilets & showers. Will come back!

  • Kris H.
    Jul. 24, 2019

    Scenic Park

    very friendly

    Scenic park is across the Missouri river from Sioux City,  Iowa.  It is easy to get to. Very friendly staff.  Restrooms are kept clean.  It is a large campground with several different restrooms with showers.  There is a number of permanent campsites, there is also some that can be reserved.  Some are also pull thru's. Ice and firewood are available on site.  There  is a separate area available for tents. With it being  on the edge of South Sioux City, Ne and across the river from Sioux City, Ia. there is lots of shopping options close by.  It can also be reserved for groups, with a shelter available for use.  There are some sunny spots and also spots with lots of shade.  I really like this campground!

  • Emily C.
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Sioux City North KOA

    Very fun

    A tent site was $40 with no electricity so it’s more pricy then other sites but they have a ton of things to do. Checkers, chess, swings, play set, mini golf, inflatable bouncy blog, pool, and more. They had a gift shop with anything you needed to buy. The bathrooms were very nice and clean but did smell a bit. They had electricity/ wall outlets in the bathrooms. The highway is very close so you do hear cars. Privacy fences around the site to block out the neighborhood. Very nice staff!

  • Stephanie S.
    Sep. 5, 2021

    Scenic Park

    Nice quiet park

    Host was very friendly and helpful. They had some spots on the river. We stayed in a pull through that was very spacious with picnic table and fire pit. Spectated by trees so your not on top of your neighbor. Bathrooms and showers were very clean! Although no hand soap so bring your own. Showers were free and they had bikes you could check out to ride around. Park is super close to huge park with Tennis courts and other activities.

  • Chris S.
    Jul. 8, 2019

    Scenic Park

    Nice Stopover Spot

    We stayed with our class A RV on our way to and from a further destination. First spot was one right along the river. All the spots are spacious...neighbors are not on top of you. This spot had a nice concrete pad with a picnic table (not so nice with peeling paint). Views of the river and city were nice. Full hook-ups with sewer, water, electric, cable, and wi-if. Second spot was not on the river but equally spacious. No concrete pad with this one. Bathhouses were a mixed bag. One was large with numerous stalls and showers and very clean. The other quite small (2 stalls and one shower) and not so clean. Had to step around empty shampoo and conditioner bottles on floor and a used razor on the soap dish.....there in the early evening and still there around 9 the next morning. Many of the sites seemed to be extended stay and not all trailers were well kept.....plastic covering windows, haphazard decks, etc. All-in-all though an Ok stopover in a longer trip.

  • Chris S.
    Jul. 28, 2019

    Scenic Park

    Nice Stopover Spot

    We stayed with our class A RV on our way to and from a further destination in early July. First spot was one right along the river. All the spots are spacious...neighbors are not on top of you. This spot had a nice concrete slab with a picnic table (not so nice with peeling paint). Views of the river and city were nice. Full hook-ups with sewer, water, electric and (spotty) WiFi. Second spot was not on the river but equally spacious. No concrete patio with this one. Bathhouse’s were a mixed bag. One was large with numerous stalls and showers and very clean. The other quite small (2 stalls and one shower) and not so clean. Had to step around empty shampoo and conditioner bottles on the floor and a used razor on the soap dish...there in the early evening and still around 9 the next morning. Many sites seemed to be extended stay and not all were well kept...plastic covering windows, haphazard decks, etc. All-in-all though an OK one night stopover spot if you’re traveling through.

  • Isabel M.
    Apr. 28, 2023

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Nice

    We tent camped in the modern loop. Bathroom was clean, lit, and stocked - even had hand sanitizer! RV loops had flush toilets and showers, but we didn’t stay long enough to make the trek worth it. The walk down to the tent sites was annoying at worst, but plenty doable. Campsites were level enough, and there were a few sites with pads. Lots of ticks to look out for. There’s an airfield nearby so plane noise was regular but not frequent. Wifi didn’t quite reach the tent campsites; nor did Verizon service, but T-Mobile was good. All around a fine campground.

  • Douglas A.
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Scenic Park

    Ok stop for a night

    No real complaints. Clean campground, friendly hosts. Prefer more nature, but not a bad stop on a long drive. Right on river, but huge park with lots of campers, and tucked in between soccer fields. Safe and convenient though, and had a camp fire. Wifi not very good, but electric and water hookups were fine.

  • Pat V.
    Oct. 4, 2024

    Scenic Park

    Great spot close to everything

    We found the Scenic Park RV Campground when we were looking for a spot to stay close to Sioux City, IA for a sports event for our sons. We were extremely happy with this city run campground.

    The pads are in great shape. They offer full hookups. We did not have a full hookup site, but still had water, electric, and free cable tv. The view from our camper of the Missouri River and the Sioux City skyline was pretty great.

    The staff is friendly and welcoming. The location is quiet and everyone staying there seemed very nice as well. Will definitely be back when we’re up that way again next year.


Guide to Onawa

Cabin camping options near Onawa, Iowa provide visitors with convenient shelter for outdoor exploration in the Missouri River Valley region. Located in western Iowa, these options range from basic cabin structures to full-amenity glamping accommodations available primarily from April through October. The area's topography features bluffs overlooking the Missouri River with flatter terrain near the waterways.

What to do

Hiking trails exploration: At Hitchcock County Nature Center, visitors can access multiple trail options ranging from easy to challenging. "The trails are well marked and easy to follow. I was very impressed on the hike in campsites. They already have a nice flat spot for your tent," notes Aaron A. The park features trails through the unique Loess Hills formation.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple water access points exist for anglers to test their skills. "This place has great fishing and is very well maintained not to mention that they have a replica of the Boat that Lewis and Clark traveled on many years ago," reports Katie S. about Lewis and Clark State Park Campground. The lake supports multiple fish species for anglers.

Educational programming: Several parks offer structured learning activities for all ages. "The Nature center is a nice place to cool down the the summer and learn about the loess hills," explains Allison J. Seasonal ranger talks and historical exhibits provide context about the Lewis and Clark expedition through this region.

What campers like

Cabin options: Premium glamping close to Onawa, Iowa allows visitors to avoid tent setup while enjoying nature. "We were looking for an overnight place to stay and came across this gem," writes Kelly R. about Missouri Valley City Park. The park charges $15 per night for electric sites near open recreation areas.

Water recreation: Area lakes provide swimming, boating and shoreline activities. "Great fishing and is very well maintained," notes Timothy S. The calm waters of Blue Lake are suitable for beginning paddlers and recreational boaters with multiple access points.

Scenic views: The elevated terrain creates distinctive landscapes. "The views from the two south east campsites are amazing, looking over the Missouri River valley and the Omaha skyline in the distance," shares Aaron A. Natural prairie vegetation and oak woodlands characterize much of the surrounding terrain.

What you should know

Train noise: Some campgrounds experience regular train traffic. "Besides the traffic noise because it's close to the hwy, the train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep," advises Marisol G. about Missouri Valley City Park. Sound machines or earplugs can help sensitive sleepers.

Weather considerations: The region experiences seasonal extremes requiring preparation. "The spots are essentially on top of each other. Luckily it was me sandwiched between family members but the spots are garbage," explains Travis C. about Onawa-Blue Lake KOA during rainy conditions.

Site spacing: Campgrounds vary significantly in site density. "RV park type camping. Nice facilities well maintained. I guess most people are looking for this kind of camping, but it's a bunch of campers all piled on top of each other with no real views," notes Bob H. Weekdays generally offer more space between campers than weekends.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Multiple parks feature play equipment for children. "We camped here over the weekend, sites are pretty spacious and friendly camp hosts," shares Deb W. about Crawford Creek County Rec Area. The recreation area includes "Multiple play areas for kids. Water good for fishing, kayaking and swimming."

Cabin convenience: For families new to camping, cabins eliminate gear requirements. "Onawa-Blue Lake KOA features both cabin and glamping options, including yurts with premium amenities," states a visitor. Reservations should be made 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends.

Educational opportunities: Enhance nature exploration through structured programs. "They have a great visitor center with amazing displays and exhibits that mark the history of Lewis and Clark and their travels around the area," shares Timothy S. These exhibits provide context for regional exploration.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: RV travelers should research utility options before arrival. "Nice facilities well maintained. I guess most people are looking for this kind of camping, but it's a bunch of campers all piled on top of each other with no real views," observes Bob H. about Lewis and Clark State Park Campground.

Pull-through access: Several campgrounds accommodate larger rigs with specialized sites. "Super clean park and very well taken care of. I watched a youtube video that showed the park and it was like re-living a dream. Pulled in, stopped at office, John came in and helped me, asked me if I was a GoodSam member and charged me $43.34 for a full-hookup, super long pull thru," reports Andrew about On-Ur-Wa RV Park.

Seasonal operation: Most glamping facilities near Onawa operate between April and October. "We stayed twice this summer. Handy off hwy 30. Fairgrounds with lots of spots. Be aware that it would not be available during fair week. Has dumping station. Self pay," explains Howard R. about Missouri Valley City Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Onawa, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Onawa, IA is Lewis and Clark State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Onawa, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 glamping camping locations near Onawa, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.