Thomas Mitchell County Park features shaded campgrounds with electric and non-electric sites situated on 197 acres just outside Altoona. The campground provides access to Mitchellville Creek with stairs leading down to the water. Primitive tent sites near Prairie City offer secluded camping experiences with fire rings and lantern poles, while multiple state and county parks in the area maintain modern bathhouses with hot water showers and clean toilet facilities.
What to do
Creek exploration: Thomas Mitchell County Park offers creek access via stairs throughout the park. "Perfect weather last weekend and loved the little creek to splash around in with the dogs. Loads of rock stairways to enter and edit the creek throughout the park. Also has a fishing pond however we didn't pack our poles," writes Kimberly W.
Astronomy activities: Ashton Wildwood Park features an observatory open on Saturdays except the first Saturday of the month. "The observatory that's open on Saturday's (except the 1st Saturday) was awesome and the astronomers were great people and very knowledgeable. They showed how their telescopes worked and took us a tour of the building and classroom," notes Willy W.
Water recreation: Rock Creek State Park provides boating, kayaking, and fishing opportunities on its lake. "You can rent fishing boats, pontoons, kayaks, and canoes," explains a camper. "We were able to kayak and bike here and it was amazing," adds Elisha L.
Hiking trails: Parks throughout the area maintain hiking paths ranging from short loops to longer routes. "There is a nice little circle hike that's not too difficult and was great for rehab after my knee replacement," shares a visitor at Ashton Wildwood Park.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Ashton Wildwood Park provides large camping areas. "The sites are very spacious, could easily accommodate multiple tents," notes Topaz G. Another camper adds, "Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious. It's only $7/night!"
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds in the region maintain peaceful environments, especially on weekdays. "We dry camped right on the water's edge for $6 a night, 2 weeks for $88," shares a camper at Rock Creek State Park. "During the weekday it empties out," notes another visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Yellow Banks County Park provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "The banks are amazing! River access and a pond to fish! Camped here my whole life," shares Steve H. Another camper adds, "Wonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear skies offer excellent night sky viewing at many campgrounds. "The clearing around the site gave great visibility of stars with very low light pollution," notes one camper about Lake Ahquabi State Park.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Choose carefully at Thomas Mitchell County Park to avoid less desirable areas. "I personally would not want to be in a site beyond number 7 as it gets too close to the dump station and subsequent 'sewage lagoon,'" advises Ben K.
Seasonal limitations: Water access and modern restrooms typically operate from April through October. "We visited one week before the water and modern bathrooms were ready, so that was challenging," reports Christine R. about Rock Creek State Park.
Reservation requirements: Kellogg RV Park and other facilities have varying reservation systems. "You can get supplies and make your reservation there," notes Willy W. about the gas station/burger joint that serves as Kellogg RV Park's office.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "The only real issue is the constant noise from I-80 which is just to the south of the campground. But nothing that a good set of earplugs can't fix," advises a visitor to Kellogg RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Jester County Park offers family-friendly amenities. "We had a great stay here, check in was easy, getting firewood was easy, the bathhouses were so clean and nice, hiking and views were amazing!" shares Lindsey M.
Water activities for children: Rock Creek State Park provides safe water recreation. "I grew up a few miles from this state park so stayed here when we went back to visit family. The camping, boating, and fishing are amazing!" notes Elisha L.
Affordable camping options: Budget-friendly sites are available at several parks. "I live just 7 miles away, but I love to take my grand daughter here for overnight camping. Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious. It's only $7/night!" shares Deb K. about Ashton Wildwood Park.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs. "The nature/conservancy center there is just next level," notes a visitor to Jester County Park, while another mentions, "There is also an orienteering course but you have to walk in the woods to finish it" at Ashton Wildwood.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Marion County Park sites may require adjustments. "The sites are somewhat unlevel so you'll likely need to block up tires. For our current site (site 58 with a 2.8 degree incline), we had to angle in a bit otherwise our auto leveling would throw an error," advises Adam.
Pull-through availability: Kellogg RV Park offers convenient access. "Open year around. Nice large sites and no need to unhook. Clean rv park with easy access to 1-80," notes Carrie S.
Dump station access: Yellow Banks County Park provides quality facilities. "Double lane dump station. Close to home, can usually get site without reservation, IF you roll in on Wed. By Thurs night, it's full," shares Kelly.
Full hookup options: Some parks offer comprehensive services. "They have done a great job in recent years updating sites a few at a time, adding pavement and full sewer hookups," notes Rodney S. about Marion County Park.
