Dispersed camping options near Otley, Iowa include several county parks within a 20-mile radius that offer a mix of tent sites and RV hookups. The region sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level with rolling hills and small waterways characteristic of central Iowa. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with occasional severe thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping seasons feature moderate temperatures and less humidity.
What to do
Fishing in multiple locations: At Rock Creek State Park Campground, visitors have access to a well-stocked lake known for crappie and largemouth bass. One camper noted, "Rock Creek is known for its crappie and large mouth bass fishing. The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas and you can go over by the bridge and fish the rocks."
Observatory stargazing: Ashton Wildwood Park offers a unique observatory open on Saturdays for night sky viewing. "The observatory that's open on Saturday's (except the 1st Saturday) was awesome and the astronomers were great people and very knowledgeable. They showed how their telescopes worked and took us a tour of the building and classroom," shares one visitor.
Creek exploration: Thomas Mitchell County Park features a small creek running behind campsites with stone steps for access. As one camper explains, "The outer loop has a creek that flows behind the sites with large stairs to get down to it. Kids were having a blast in the water."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Wallashuck Campground offers well-spaced sites with lake views. According to a recent visitor, "Campsites are well spaced, some have good views of the lake. Men's bathroom is clean, showers have good hot water but could use a deep cleaning."
Convenient lake access: Yellow Banks County Park provides both river and pond fishing options within the same property. A regular visitor mentions, "It's got access to trails and to the Des Moines river. It's a great little escape. There is a fishing pond that's got plenty of bluegill and largemouth bass."
Clean facilities: Kellogg RV Park maintains spotless shower facilities despite being a basic highway-adjacent option. One camper shared, "The bathrooms were clean. The showers were clean, hot and good pressure. I loved the chicken coops and the landscaping."
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Rock Creek State Park Campground has limited services in early spring. A visitor noted, "We visited one week before the water and modern bathrooms were ready, so that was challenging. The park seemed a little rough to be on the cusp of true spring camping."
Highway noise considerations: Sites near interstate highways can be noisy at night, particularly Kellogg RV Park. A reviewer explained, "It was right off the interstate but the sounds of traffic wasn't too bad. The site was an easy pull through and pretty level."
Site density varies: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy. At Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground, a camper observed, "We felt like we were literally on top of surrounding campers. The campsites are all extremely packed in together, so you can really feel a part of other people's conversations and activities."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Thomas Mitchell County Park offers creek access perfect for children to cool off. "Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat," notes one family who visited.
Historic exploration: Marion County Park features a historic village with seasonal tours. According to a camper, "There is also a historic village onsite that's open for tours on weekends during the summer."
Local wildlife viewing: Jester County Park provides opportunities to see bison and elk. A visitor mentioned, "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Marion County Park sites may require leveling blocks. A regular visitor explained, "The sites are somewhat unlevel so you'll likely need to block up tires (we've had to block one side of tires on two different past sites). For our current site (site 58 with a 2.8 degree incline), we had to angle in a bit otherwise our auto leveling would throw an error."
Dump station features: Jester Park offers an exceptionally well-designed dump station. One RVer emphasized, "Only spent two days there but could make it a two week vacation and never get tired of it. Okay, let's address the dump station, I've never been to one so thought out and efficient."
Good overnight stops: For those just passing through, Kellogg RV Park provides easy access and pull-through sites. A traveler noted, "We needed to stop for the night and this was a great choice. It was right off the interstate but the sounds of traffic wasn't too bad."
