The area surrounding Paullina, Iowa contains multiple campgrounds within a 30-50 mile radius, situated amid rolling farmland and creek valleys. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with daytime highs in the 60-70°F range. Most campgrounds near Paullina remain open from April through October, with a few offering extended seasons into December.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: Rivers Bend Campground offers multiple water features for visitors. "There is a swimming hole with a little beach and walking/bike trail," notes one camper. The majority of campsites provide water views, with approximately "80% of spots" along the waterfront.
Hiking trails: Newton Hills State Park provides multiple trail systems through wooded terrain. A visitor describes it as a "hidden gem among a lot of farmland kind of in the middle of nowhere," while another recommends, "When you leave, be sure to take the little one lane road out back (from 1E toward the tower)—it's a magical little drive through the hills the park is named after."
Fishing opportunities: Island Park in Rock Rapids offers riverside fishing access with "a river with a lot of fish," according to reviewers. The park combines natural water features with family amenities, including a "huge swimming area with slides for kids." No fishing license is required at some private campgrounds like Lazy H, which maintains a stocked lake.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the shower facilities at Willow Creek Campground in Le Mars. One visitor called the bathrooms "stupendous! Shiny floor, air conditioned and residential faucets in the showers! No button pushing!" Another noted the campground is "well kept clean" with "newly renovated" shower facilities.
Level concrete pads: RV sites near Paullina, Iowa often feature concrete pads that simplify setup. "The sites sit on a small rise between the swimming pond and willow creek," mentions one camper about Willow Creek Campground. Another notes, "Site 42 is on the beach side which is the newer part of the campground, it's one of the full hookup ones by the sidewalk. It was level and had some shade."
Quality fire pits: Lazy H Campground offers "a huge table and stone fire pit" at their sites. One camper commented on the overall grounds: "It's probably the cleanest park I've ever been to. The concrete pads are level and large. The grass and spacing between spots is wonderful."
What you should know
Seasonal variations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with specific opening dates varying by location. Emerson Bay State Recreation Area extends its season through December 31, while Newton Hills remains open year-round for cold-weather camping.
Reservation requirements: Weekend camping, especially during summer months, requires advance planning. For Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground, a camper advises, "It was full the entire time that we were here and it does fill up quickly so book your trip well in advance."
Varying shade conditions: Tree coverage differs significantly between campgrounds. At Newton Hills, "Many campsites are almost full sun—so have your shade structure ready," warns one reviewer. Similarly, newer campgrounds like Lazy H have "planted some nice trees, they are small and aren't providing shade yet."
Cell service and connectivity: Internet access varies by location but is generally reliable. Willow Creek Campground provides wifi which campers report as "good," while maintaining consistent cellular coverage throughout the area.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Little Sioux Park Campground features a "small beach area for swimming" and "two playgrounds," making it suitable for children. Another family-friendly option is Island Park, which has a "huge swimming area with slides for kids" that keeps younger campers entertained.
Fishing with kids: Rivers Bend Campground offers lakefront fishing directly from many sites. As one visitor noted, there are "decent size spots with lakefront views at just about all of them," making it convenient for families to fish without traveling far from their campsite.
Playgrounds and activities: Newton Hills State Park provides numerous facilities for families. A visitor shared, "The kids had a blast exploring the natural surroundings and participating in the family-friendly activities," while another mentioned the "very nice field of wild comb flowers" and multiple play areas.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: The region offers various RV sites near Paullina, Iowa with different hookup configurations. Willow Creek Campground provides concrete pads with "half of them have electric and water and the other half also have a sewer hook up" at $20 per night.
Site spacing: Lazy H Campground receives praise for its layout, with one RVer noting, "The pull through sites are fully concrete and level. They all have a huge table and stone fire pit. Plenty of room for a second vehicle." Another mentioned the campground has "tons of activities" including "fishing, boating, biking, and swimming."
Specialized RV amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to RVers with on-site services. At Lazy H, "You can order firewood, ice, or worms, and they will drop it off at your site. I believe you can even rent or request a golf cart to make getting around easier."
