Best Campgrounds near Pella, IA

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Pella, IA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Pella campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Pella, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Pella, Iowa (103)

    1. Rock Creek State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    38 Photos
    82 Saves
    Kellogg, Iowa

    Camp in one of several campsites near the park’s lake, featuring both electric and non-electric sites, a modern restroom and shower building. Several campsites sit on the water’s edge and provide beautiful views of Rock Creek Lake. One-fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and advanced campsite reservations through the online reservation system for Rock Creek State Park

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $6 - $12 / night

    2. Whitebreast Campground

    8 Reviews
    9 Photos
    71 Saves
    Lake Red Rock, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    3. Kellogg RV Park

    11 Reviews
    26 Photos
    10 Saves
    Kellogg, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    4. Howell Station

    5 Reviews
    13 Photos
    27 Saves
    Pella, Iowa

    Overview

    Howell Station Campground sits just below the Red Rock Dam and Lake on the north side of the Des Moines River. Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake, located just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife. For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here: Lake Red Rock Website

    Recreation

    Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, largemouth and striped bass, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.

    Natural Features

    Hardwood forests cover the riverbanks at Howell Station, offering shade and scenic views. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrate through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March. White-tailed deer, turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake.

    Nearby Attractions

    Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.

    Charges & Cancellations

    A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Cancel or change reservations through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $22 - $24 / night

    5. Newton KOA

    10 Reviews
    30 Photos
    18 Saves
    Kellogg, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    6. Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

    10 Reviews
    13 Photos
    60 Saves
    Swan, Iowa

    Improvements include adding electric sites, shower house, and water station. All sites are first come first serve and will cost $20 per night. Registration is required upon arrival at the campground entrance. Campers may stay in WCCB campgrounds for 14 days out of any 30 day period.

    Donated by Ferold and Dorothy Grant, this 150 acre park in northeast Warren County features a picnic shelter, a secluded pond, some wonderful woodland trails, and—new in 2018—10 primitive campsites!

    The picnic shelter is available for reservation by calling the WCCB office at (515) 961-6169.

    Grant Park has ten primitive campsites. There is a pit latrine in the campground. Water is not available. Reservations are not accepted. This campground is free of charge. Registration is required and is available at the campground entrance. Campers may stay in WCCB campgrounds for 14 days out of any 30 day period.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    7. Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

    4 Reviews
    56 Photos
    51 Saves
    Lake Red Rock, Iowa

    The charming natural beauties and it's healing powers! One geodesic dome glamping and four beautiful view campsites situated in the quiet peaceful campground that has 3 private ponds with fish, and 10-acre all nature tree areas in the fenced 40 acres hilly-pond land. It is about 50 miles from city Des Moines. The site has good cell phone signal from most providers. The geodesic dome tent is the only one in Iowa, provided more climate controlled stay while still enjoying the magnificent nature's gift.

    We are open year around for you to enjoy four seasons world excitement: Springs, Summers, Falls and of course winters!!

    All of the campsites have plenty of space and is apart from each other with good privacy. Each site has a fire pit with a tripod for food cooking, a "picnic table" and a solar light. Drinking water tap is near the entrance, not at each site. For RVs, you can add water before you get in the gate. Site 1, site 2 and site 3 are on top of the hills with a beautiful view of ponds and lake, and site 4 is in woods with has full shade in summer and walking trails in woods. Site 2 can be used as group site that can host 1-10 tents or RV in the same time. Please message me if you want book group site, I can provide a quote based on your group sizes.

    The are also a lots to do nearby the red Rock lake areas. The Whitebreast camping and swimming Beach, Red rock lake boat ramp, Historic Coal Ridge Church, Stu Kuyper hiking trail and Youth park are within one mile from our camping site.

    Tri-Pond camping sites are the perfect campsites for family relaxing camping, Van-camping, road trip stops, friends gathering, or come and stay for local events in the nearby cities, such as in Des Moines, Newton, Pella, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Monroe, Pleasantville, Indianola etc.. Tulip Time, hot balloon Festival, car race…

    Notes: four wheel vehicle recommended since the campground is hilly here and there. You will need bug repellent during summer. We do not use any chemicals on site. Ticks are common during earlier spring and summer in grassy areas and woods, but not usually found during Fall and Winter. There may be hunting gun sounds near or far during hunting seasons, these are from public land nearly. we do not allow any kinds of hunting or trapping on our camping ground.

    The site has plenty of space for big rig boondocking near the gate.

    Questions? Text to Anna at: (530)309-9885. Or

    Email to: fengyuwang62@gmail.com

    Notes to campers:

    1. Hilly road. Drive less than 10 m/ h, carefully some area near pond has Steep slopes.

    2. Quiet time: 10:00pm to 6:00am

    3. Need bug repellent during summer. Ticks are common in the grassy area and woods, but not usually find on area grass been mowed. We do not use any chemical on site.

    4. Possible coyotes in the property, take care of small children, especially during night

    5. Watch out the dead trees in the woods.

    6. Pay attentions to water safety. No swim in the ponds.

    7. No swim in the campsite ponds, just for fishing. You can go swim at the Whitebreast beach, which is less than a mile from the campsite. and the shower houses there are clean and well maintained.

    8. Please do not pick nor eat any mushrooms on site. The Mushrooms on site maybe poisonous.

    9. No hunting anytime.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    $25 - $120 / night

    8. Wallashuck

    4 Reviews
    11 Photos
    30 Saves
    Pella, Iowa

    Overview

    Wallashuck Campground is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowas largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife. For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here:Lake Red Rock Website

    Recreation

    Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, largemouth and striped bass,walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.

    Natural Features

    Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lake shore at Wallashuck, offering shade and scenic views. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrates through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March. White-tailed deer , turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake.

    Nearby Attractions

    Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.

    Charges & Cancellations

    A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amound. Cancel or change reservations through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $20 - $24 / night

    9. Yellow Banks County Park

    14 Reviews
    36 Photos
    99 Saves
    Pleasant Hill, Iowa
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    10. Equestrian Campground — Elk Rock State Park

    5 Reviews
    41 Photos
    Lake Red Rock, Iowa

    The equestrian campground features both electric and non-electric sites also. A modern shower building, horse stalls, hitching rails and a 100 foot by 200 foot riding arena are available.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents
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Showing results 1-10 of 103 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Pella, IA

348 Reviews of 103 Pella Campgrounds



Guide to Pella

Camping near Pella, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Jester County Park. One camper mentioned, "The campgrounds have amazing views and plenty of hiking trails."
  • Water Activities: Enjoy boating and fishing at Rock Creek State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "The lake is pretty, and boat rentals seemed reasonable."
  • Playgrounds and Family Fun: Check out the playgrounds at Des Moines West KOA Holiday. One reviewer said, "The kids loved the playground, and the staff was super friendly."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Prairie Flower Recreation Area stated, "Clean shower house and restrooms. Would we go back? That's a definitely yes."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites. A visitor at Cherry Glen Campground mentioned, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Des Moines West KOA Holiday said, "Staff is one of the nicest and most helpful we've ever encountered."

What you should know

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds, like Bob Shelter Recreation Area, require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A camper noted, "You must reserve these sites in advance."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Walnut Woods State Park Campground, have limited amenities like no showers. A visitor mentioned, "The bathrooms were modern and clean, but there are no showers."
  • Wildlife Caution: Campers should be aware of wildlife. One camper at Yellow Banks County Park warned, "Other campers warned us not to leave anything out at night because teenagers come through sometimes looking for stuff to steal."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Play Areas: Look for campgrounds like Des Moines West KOA Holiday that have playgrounds. A reviewer said, "The kids loved the playground, and the staff was super friendly."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to plan activities like hiking or fishing. One camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground said, "The campground area is clean, and the RV section was nearly full but the tent section had lots of space."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Bring along snacks and drinks for the kids. A visitor at Jester County Park mentioned, "Showers are hot every time; it’s a wonderful place to be."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A camper at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups. A visitor at Des Moines West KOA Holiday said, "Large modern KOA with sites to accommodate all sizes of rigs."
  • Be Prepared for Narrow Roads: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A reviewer at Winterset City Park mentioned, "The road around the campground is paved, but very narrow."

Camping near Pella, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With clean facilities, friendly staff, and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for your next outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions