Central City's camping options sit along the Wapsipinicon River in eastern Iowa, with elevations around 900 feet above sea level. The area features rolling hills and riverfront access points for paddlers and anglers. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with a few sites available year-round depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking the marked trails: Pinicon Ridge Park offers extensive hiking options through diverse terrain. "Hiking trails are well marked and all over the park and state land nearby. Lookout Tower is a must see," notes one visitor. The park connects to additional state lands for longer treks.
Paddling the Wapsipinicon: The river provides excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities with rental options available at several parks. "We all took the trail into town and found a BIT Brewery where we enjoy woodfired pizza and brought some beer home in a growler for around the fire that night," reports a camper who stayed at Pinicon Ridge Park.
Family-friendly activities: Beyonder Getaway at Lazy Acres features numerous recreational options. "Great owners, loads of stuff for kids (putt putt, paddle boats, horseshoes, basketball, Gaga, trampoline, playground)," writes one reviewer. The campground provides multiple entertainment options within walking distance of campsites.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Newer shower houses are frequently mentioned in reviews. "Clean shower house with storm shelter. Mixed sun and shade with generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table," notes a camper about The Plains area at Pinicon Ridge Park.
Spacious sites: Amana RV Park & Event Center receives praise for its site layout. "Great place, 1 mile from Amana. Our second stay here, from Louisiana. Good food in Amana," comments one visitor. Another adds, "Big pull throughs" as a key feature.
Cultural access: Proximity to the historic Amana Colonies is a major draw. "30 minute walk to the idyllic town of Amaña," mentions a camper who appreciated the convenient location. Several campgrounds serve as bases for exploring the area's German heritage sites.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring flooding can affect lower campground areas, particularly along the Wapsipinicon River. "Lower area is susceptible to flooding during extremely high water, but county staff is very proactive and hospitable with helping campers relocate from dangerous areas," explains a Pinicon Ridge Park visitor.
Insect management: Some campgrounds can have bug issues depending on grass management. A camper at Beyonder Getaway notes: "We stayed here towards the end of May. They hadn't cut the grass but was in the process of cutting it. This caused swarms of bugs."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some rv parks in Central City, Iowa. "Near the highway so it has truck noise," mentions one reviewer about Beyonder Getaway. Cedar River Campground has similar considerations with one camper noting, "It is right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature extensive play areas. "The playground is fantastic and keep the kids entertained all day," shares a Pinicon Ridge Park visitor. Another notes the "rubber composite on the ground at the playground so when kiddos fall, they aren't injured."
Water recreation options: Backbone State Park provides swimming and fishing opportunities. "My favorite memory was definitely swimming in the river. Also enjoyed hiking along the backbone trail, and climbing around some wooded areas," writes one visitor who camped with college friends.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds offer adaptive facilities. One reviewer at Beyonder Getaway appreciated that "My daughter is in a wheelchair so we requested the accessible site. It's right next to the showers with an adapted pic-nic table and raised fire pit!"
Tips from RVers
Seasonal availability: Most rv parks near Central City close by mid-October. Sudbury Court Motel & RV Park is an exception with one camper noting, "One of the few places around Cedar Rapids that is open in winter. 35$/night. Management is pleasant."
Leveling requirements: Gravel pads dominate the region's campgrounds, with varying quality. A visitor to Amana RV Park observed, "Only minus is that most roads are gravel and if it rains alot, there are puddles everywhere and it is pretty soft coming in and out of sites."
Utilities and services: While most campgrounds offer electric hookups, full service options vary. "Well run campground with full hookups available for $35/night. Bathrooms are clean and lots of warm water for showers," notes a visitor to Amana RV Park & Event Center.
