Glamping near Ottumwa, Iowa offers outdoor accommodations throughout a region of rolling hills and river valleys at elevations ranging from 600-900 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching the 90s and winter lows frequently below freezing. Many luxury camping options remain open year-round despite seasonal weather variations, with summer bringing higher humidity levels around 90% that can affect comfort during outdoor activities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Iowa County Park offers multiple fishing spots with both lake and pond access. A camper noted, "There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife. We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through."
Historic sites: Take a short hike to see covered bridges near Waubonsie Trail Park. According to a visitor, "Waubonsie trail behind park is a short hike to the covered bridge and Dutchman's Store. Perfect way to stretch your legs after a long day on the road."
Water recreation: Island View Campground provides multiple boat ramps and beach access. One camper shared, "There is a ramp for boats and a beach. Overall really great place to stay especially if you like the water."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities. "We saw lots of deer and rabbits right outside our door," reported a camper at Lake Iowa Park.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Wallashuck Campground features well-spaced sites with lake views. A camper mentioned, "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."
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained bathhouses. At Indian Lake Park, a visitor noted, "Very modern facilities that were clean."
Quiet atmosphere: Most campgrounds offer peaceful settings, especially during weekdays. A Wallashuck visitor shared, "Wallashuck in Pella, Iowa is one of my favorite places to camp. It's mostly quiet and peaceful. Plus town is close and has plenty to entertain or fill up supplies."
Abundant wildlife: Many sites offer wildlife viewing from your campsite. According to a Lake Iowa camper, "The area around the lake and near by pond, is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most luxury camping options require advance planning. At Indian Lake Park, cabins and full hookup sites fill quickly during summer weekends. A regular visitor shared, "Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends."
Seasonal operation: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Wallashuck is open "April 24 to October 13," while Marion County Park operates from "April to October."
Temperature fluctuations: Summer humidity can be challenging for those unaccustomed to it. A visitor to Lake Iowa Park noted, "Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did. Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees."
Site selection considerations: Some campgrounds have issues with site layout. A Lake Iowa Park camper warned about campfire smoke: "Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When glamping with children near Ottumwa, choose sites close to play areas. At Marion County Park, a visitor noted, "There's a couple of parks onsite for kids- one with a zip line swing- plus a pond for fishing, areas to hike and bike."
Beach activities: The Catfish Place Campground offers pond-side camping with fishing access. A family visitor shared, "Spot on beautiful pond. It was great to be able to fish from our site. Close to geode hunting locations!!"
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer historical components for children. A Marion County visitor mentioned, "There's also a historic village onsite that's open for tours on weekends during the summer."
Multi-generational access: Consider mobility issues when selecting sites. A Lake Iowa visitor cautioned, "To walk to the lake or near by pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for any one with mobility issues. Once down to the water trail are easy to walk."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. At Marion County Park, a camper advised, "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)."
Site spacing: Many RV sites provide ample room between neighbors. An Island View camper noted, "Tons a room between spots and lots of sites with a good view of the lake."
Hookup configurations: Check hookup locations before arrival. At Lake Darling, a camper warned, "The full hookup sites have the neighbors waste tube close the campers picnic table. Sometimes getting a whiff of black water waste while trying eat dinner leaves a little to be desired."
Cell service variations: Reception can be inconsistent throughout the area. A camper at Lake Darling commented, "And generally limited cell signal might be better that way eh?"
