Between flat farmland and gentle rolling hills, Marshalltown sits in central Iowa where temperatures range from winter lows around 10°F to summer highs of 85°F. The area experiences distinct seasons with peak camping running April through October. Camping options near Marshalltown include sites alongside lakes and rivers, with notable fishing opportunities at several locations.
What to do
Fishing for variety: Rock Creek State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities for crappie and bass. "Rock Creek is known for its crappie and large mouth bass fishing. The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas and you can go over by the bridge and fish the rocks," notes one camper.
Paddle the lakes: Pine Lake State Park Campground provides access to both upper and lower Pine Lakes for water activities. "Paddle on upper or lower Pine Lake" is just one option among many activities available. A visitor notes there are also opportunities to "Float or paddle nearby Iowa River (tube and boat rentals nearby)."
Hiking trails: Multiple parks offer walking paths around lakes and through wooded areas. At Pine Lake, one visitor mentions the park has "Nice hiking trails right outside the cabin, along the river. Just down the road is a large lake with more hiking as well."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. At Griffs Valley View RV Park, visitors appreciate "very nice and spotless" bathrooms. One camper mentioned, "Two nice laundry/shower houses, one in the front and one in the back of the campground."
Quiet camping spots: Diamond Lake County Park offers peaceful camping with lake views. A visitor described it as "A lush, quiet, pleasant surprise" with "lush grass and greenery all around. Great spot for birds—saw multiple heron, egret and hawks."
Convenient food options: At Kellogg RV Park, campers enjoy the co-located food service. "Most convenient, though, was setting up at the site and then walking 🚶♂️ to the co-located gas station ⛽ and burgers for dinner (and great ice cream cones)," reports one satisfied visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from April to October, with limited winter availability. Dakins Lake County Park operates from April 1 to October 31, while Rock Creek State Park Campground extends slightly longer from April 1 to December 31.
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. At Diamond Lake, one camper noted: "Agree with the other reviews that the sites are rather close together so it could feel a bit crowded during busier times."
Shade availability: Newer campgrounds may lack mature trees. At Dakins Lake County Park, a visitor observed, "Unfortunately being a newer campground there are no established trees for shade, we found the best spots are on the south side where the camper door faces east."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks include play areas for children. At Griffs Valley View RV Park, visitors mention "a small playground" among the amenities. Another camper notes the campground has a "nice recreational building" with various activities.
Swimming options: Not all lakes permit swimming due to water quality. At Rock Creek State Park Campground, one visitor pointed out: "Unfortunately, the amazing swimming beach with concession stand and changing rooms with showers is gone. Due to the large population of geese, ducks, and cranes, the water is not safe to swim in."
Animal encounters: Kids often enjoy wildlife viewing opportunities. Diamond Lake Park offers great bird watching where one camper "saw multiple heron, egret and hawks" during their stay.
Tips from RVers
Hookup details: River Oaks RV Park provides full utility connections with thoughtful layout. "Sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6' hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site," noted one RV camper.
Site levelness: Many RV campers report needing leveling equipment. At River Oaks, one camper observed: "Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks."
Cell service: Most campgrounds in the Marshalltown area offer reliable connectivity. Diamond Lake County Park gets good reception according to a visitor who reported "cell phone service is great for cricket and Verizon" during their stay.