The landscape surrounding Otho, Iowa features rolling prairie terrain with small forested areas along riverbanks and lake shores. Campsites throughout the region experience significant temperature variations with summer highs frequently reaching 90°F and winter lows dipping below freezing. The open prairie setting exposes many camping areas to westerly winds that can reach 15-20 mph during weather fronts.
What to do
Hiking through sandstone: Explore the unique geological formations at Ledges State Park Campground where trails traverse steep terrain with numerous stone steps. "What I enjoy most about this park compared to others in Iowa are the sandstone ledges and the slopes on the trail. There are some excellent views," notes Tom S., who recommends bringing enough phone battery for photos.
Kayaking options: Launch watercraft on multiple bodies of water at Don Williams Park which offers both lake access and proximity to the Des Moines River. One camper shared: "Camped by tent, basic amenities on-site-fire ring, table, etc. Went kayaking on lake and then on Des Moines River (close by)."
Horseback trail access: Utilize dedicated equestrian facilities at the North Equestrian Campground, which provides hitching posts behind campsites. According to Stephanie B., "The roads inside the campground were all asphalt so lots of bikers enjoying rides around the grounds. There was also a nice playground for the kids surrounded by a well maintained, large, grassy area."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms and shower houses across multiple campgrounds in the region. At Bells Mills County Park, campers appreciate the overall maintenance: "Quiet spot, clean area. Camp host were very friendly, most spots were easy pull throughs or back in's with a freestyle camper parking arrangement."
Stargazing opportunities: The open prairie setting creates excellent night sky viewing conditions away from urban light pollution. A camper at North Equestrian Campground noted: "Very little light pollution...The stars were so bright!" This makes evening hours particularly rewarding for astronomy enthusiasts.
Affordable rates: Many county parks offer competitive pricing compared to private campgrounds. At Briggs Woods Park, one visitor found excellent value: "Very quiet park, we stayed in the back. We had water/power but no sewer hookup. Only downside to this park is there are no garbage cans. Weird?"
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds, with reception dropping in lower elevations and wooded areas. According to a review from Kennedy County Park: "No cell service provider functions in this park. The WIFI is shared between dozens of sites, speed averages right around 5mps."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the Otho area close for winter, typically operating from April through October or December. Don Williams Park maintains a standard season from "April 1 to October 31," while Dolliver Memorial State Park extends slightly longer from "April 1 to December 31."
Reservation systems: Some county parks operate on first-come, first-served basis while state parks require advance booking. At North Equestrian Campground, one camper observed: "There were many empty sites because so many had no electric. It made for lots of nice open space."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Bells Mills County Park, campers report, "Very nice! Lots of spots 34 of them! Water and electric hook up! Cell service wasn't good but the WiFi was great!"
Swimming areas: Beaches and designated swimming locations provide water recreation for families. At Beach Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, visitors enjoy easy access: "Great place to camp if you like fishing, horseback riding or a nice place to get away."
Group camping arrangements: Several parks accommodate multiple families camping together. Kaylyn S. mentioned: "We had 12 campers pull in together and was able to camp all together!" This flexibility makes the area suitable for family reunions and larger gatherings.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for shade: Choose campsites carefully based on tree coverage, as prairie campgrounds offer limited natural shade. One RVer at Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground advised: "The RV parking area isn't really big, but all sites are great & feel private, especially the outer ones."
Electrical options: Most campgrounds offer electrical hookups, but amperages vary. An experienced camper noted: "If you need 50 amps, you're going to want to head to the Beach Camp," indicating the importance of checking specific site utilities before arrival.
Access considerations: Park roads and site arrangements can create challenges for larger rigs. At Kennedy County Park, one RVer observed: "Unfortunately, the RV park is quite cramped. The sites are somewhat modest in size and the one-way roads are narrow and unmarked."
