Oxford, Iowa sits along the northern edge of Johnson County with elevations ranging from 750-800 feet above sea level. The area's rolling terrain features a mix of wooded hills and flat farmland that provides diverse camping settings. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder 60-70°F daytime temperatures with cooler nights.
What to do
Fossil hunting excursions: Visit the Devonian Fossil Gorge near West Overlook Campground, accessible via a short 15-minute drive northeast of Oxford. "This campground is close to the dam and the Devonian Fossil Gorge," notes one camper. The gorge contains 375-million-year-old marine fossils exposed during the 1993 flood.
Lake activities: Paddleboating and fishing at Beyonder Getaway at Lazy Acres provide family-friendly water recreation. "They had a little train ride, miniature golf course, catch and release fishing in their pond, splash pad, lots of cool things," shares one visitor. The campground maintains a small stocked pond for no-license-required fishing.
Multi-use trail networks: Explore 2+ miles of lakeside trails at F.W. Kent Park where hiking paths connect directly to campsites. "There is about a two mile trail circumventing the entire lake. I was there in early October so the weather was too chilly to use the nice beach," writes one camper. Trails feature recycled iron walking bridges and memorial trees of various species.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: F.W. Kent Park offers camping areas with ample space between sites. "Beautiful, very large, clean, quiet, $20 for RV Campspot with electric, sewer dump at park entrance," reports one camper. The campground maintains both grassy and graveled sites to accommodate different camping setups.
Proximity to cultural attractions: Amana RV Park & Event Center provides convenient access to the historic Amana Colonies. "Great place, 1 mile from Amana. Our second stay here, from Louisiana. Good food in Amana," notes one visitor. The location allows campers to explore the seven historic villages founded by German immigrants in the 1850s.
Natural scenery variety: Multiple campgrounds feature a mix of wooded and open areas. "Sites down by the boat launch have electric only and tent sites. There are shower houses throughout the CG," reports one visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground. Many sites offer direct lake views or walking access to water features.
What you should know
Seasonal availability varies: Most campgrounds operate from April to October with limited off-season options. Cedar River Campground specifically runs from "April 15 to October 15" according to official information. Little Bear Campground also operates seasonally from April to October.
Reservation systems differ: Sugar Bottom Campground and most federal facilities accept online reservations. "This is a COE Park so you also can get a discount with your Senior Pass," explains one camper. F.W. Kent Park operates first-come, first-served with self-check-in.
Weather impacts: Spring camping can bring mud issues at some locations. "The roads and pads are gravel so I could see it becoming an issue during weather," mentions one reviewer about local conditions. Sites with concrete pads remain limited across the area.
Traffic noise considerations: Campgrounds near I-80 experience highway sounds. At Little Bear Campground, "I was surprised that the interstate noise was much quieter than I thought it would be," reports one tent camper. West Overlook provides more buffer from traffic noise.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Palisades-Kepler State Park offers play areas near camping loops. "Beautiful place with lovely people. Mini golf, basketball, paddleboat on a small pond, horseshoes, and plenty of swings and playscapes for kids," describes a visitor. Several campgrounds feature multiple play structures spread throughout their grounds.
Swimming options: Beach facilities at F.W. Kent Park provide supervised swimming areas during summer months. "The beach area is usually well maintained. Great place to take the family for summer fun," shares one regular visitor. Water activities remain weather-dependent with most beaches closing after Labor Day.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife sightings. "Saw wild turkeys and dear almost ever day walking the camp grounds," reports one long-term camper at Lake Macbride State Park. Early risers have better chances of spotting active wildlife near wooded areas.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service RV sites near Oxford, Iowa vary in hookup configurations. "We used our site for 2 nights with water and electric (50/30/20 AMP). Our site was somewhat level, but we did have to put blocks under the passenger-side tires," explains one RVer about Sugar Bottom Campground. Most campgrounds provide water and electric connections.
Dump station access: Multiple locations offer sanitary dump facilities even when sites lack sewer connections. "They have a double-hole dump station that can be accessed in both directions," notes one RVer about Sugar Bottom's facilities. Some campgrounds require using dump stations located at park entrances rather than at individual sites.
Site spacing considerations: RVers report varied experiences with site proximity. "Compared to other COEs we've stayed at, the sites here are closer together," mentions one RVer about Sugar Bottom. West Overlook Campground features more generously spaced sites for larger units with better privacy screens.
