Campgrounds near Plainfield, Iowa provide year-round access to wooded riverfront terrain along the Cedar River watershed. The rolling landscape features a mix of oak-hickory forests and prairie remnants, with most campgrounds situated at elevations between 950-1,100 feet. Winter camping remains available at several locations including George Wyth State Park, which maintains plowed access roads from December through March when crowds thin significantly.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Airport Lake Park Campground offers numerous fishing jetties around its small lake. As Kris E. notes, there are "many fishing jetties" alongside a "nice swimming beach" making it convenient to alternate between activities.
Cemetery exploration: For history enthusiasts, Chickasaw Park contains a hidden historic site. According to one camper, "If you follow the road ALL THE WAY BACK there is a very old cemetery (we found it foraging firewood) which we thought was very intriguing."
Biking access: George Wyth State Park Campground connects to an extensive regional trail system. A reviewer explains, "If you're a biker there is a wonderful bike path. It will take you all the way through Cedar Falls and Waterloo you could bike all day long."
Kayaking and canoeing: Multiple water access points exist throughout the area, with equipment rentals available seasonally. One visitor to George Wyth mentions, "You can rent kayaks, canoes or pedal boats near the campground at Wyth Lake. And there are 3 other nearby lakes."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cedar Bend Park receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. Amy notes, "It was so clean and peaceful. Not overly crowded. The camp host was so friendly and helpful."
Budget-friendly pricing: Most campgrounds in the region maintain affordable rates year-round. A George Wyth visitor pointed out, "Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.)"
Outdoor recreation variety: Wilder City Park stands out for its diverse activities. Jeremy N. describes, "they have sand volleyball pickle ball miniature golf and huge checkers plus a couple playgrounds for the kids."
Quiet atmosphere: Several pet-friendly campgrounds maintain peaceful environments despite accessibility. Michelle notes that Wilder Park is "Very much a gem, quiet and peaceful" while offering "50+ sites with about half of them full hook up."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Flooding affects some campgrounds, particularly during spring and fall. A reviewer warns about George Wyth, "because it is so close to river anytime it rains heavily there is flooding in several areas of the park. And almost every year (usually late summer, early fall) it rains enough to flood a good portion of the park."
Highway noise: R Campground and several others sit near major roadways. While convenient for access, a reviewer notes some sites have background traffic sounds, mentioning the campground is "just a few miles off of the saints highway on the south eastern side of town."
Variable bathroom conditions: Quality varies significantly between locations. Ryan S. observed at Cedar View Park, "The shower house was pretty bad though. It was older, which doesn't bother me, but it was dirty. There are camp hosts on site but I guess their duties do not include ever cleaning the restroom."
Primitive options: Some dog-friendly campgrounds near Plainfield offer minimal amenities. A Chickasaw Park visitor explains, "While the grounds are mowed that is about all that is done on the camping side of the river for maintenance. I won't walk into the pit style restrooms let alone use them."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Airport Lake Park Campground offers dedicated play areas. Dustin B. shares, "The circle group site has a nice big area for the kids to play. The playground and lake was also fun for the kids too."
Swimming options: Several locations feature designated swimming areas with varied water quality. A reviewer at Camp Comfort notes, "Kids had a great time playing in the water, our site was about 20 ft from the waters edge."
Child-friendly trails: Cedar Bend Park maintains hiking routes suitable for younger walkers. Mike R. mentions, "We like this campground a lot, very nice shade, playground area, as well as nice trails."
Safety considerations: At Chickasaw Park, parents should note specific restrictions. A camper warns, "Due to multiple accidents and or deaths jumping/diving and cliff jumping is no longer allowed and can be a misdemeanor charge if found doing so."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Bremer County Park Cedar Bend Park offers varied terrain for different rig sizes. Chantal C. shares, "We had the RV and used the electric hookup. We found that it was quite a peaceful campground when we went."
Hookup availability: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Plainfield offer electric connections, while fewer provide full hookups. At Cedar View Park, a camper was pleasantly surprised: "I really never thought there would be any hookups because of what I had read, but they had electric and water! We found a spot right on the Lake!"
Leveling requirements: Some parks have uneven sites requiring preparation. A Cedar View visitor notes, "The spots are gravel, most sites will require some leveling but are not too bad."
Dump station access: Most locations with RV sites provide sanitary dumps, though not all have sewer hookups at individual sites. Paul W. at Airport Lake Park observed, "Camper spots were huge with plenty of space between sites. Fire ring was on a cement slab."
