Rockwell City sits within the prairie landscape of central Iowa at about 1,230 feet above sea level. The area features rolling terrain with nearby creeks and small lakes. Local rv campgrounds operate primarily from April through October, with summer highs typically in the 80s and winter lows often below freezing, making seasonal planning essential for campers.
What to do
Hiking trails: Dolliver Memorial State Park offers multiple paths with varying difficulty levels. "Beautiful views, wonderful trails, cramped campground, poor tent camping conditions," notes one visitor who focused on the scenery rather than overnight stays.
Fishing spots: Lizard Creek Ranch Camping provides access to local fishing areas and maintains a restaurant on-site. "Very nice park with a nice restaurant and many things to do in the area. Very pretty and taken care of," reports a camper.
Water recreation: Brushy Creek State Recreation Area features a lake for swimming and boating. "Great new beach area and fishing," mentions one visitor, while another adds, "The beach looked real nice, not too crowded for a hot, July day."
What campers like
Equestrian facilities: The North Equestrian Campground at Brushy Creek caters to horse owners with specialized amenities. "The only open site was in the North Equine Campground so we took a chance. We really did like the Campground... Hitching posts behind each site which we enjoyed seeing," shares a reviewer.
Religious attractions: The Grotto of the Redemption RV Park offers a unique camping experience near a religious site. "The Grotto is interesting and inspiring. Admission is free. Two adjacent camping areas are partially shaded and will accommodate rigs of all sizes," explains one visitor.
Affordable stays: Local rv campgrounds near Rockwell City typically charge between $14-25 per night. "14$/night for full hookups with pull thru RV sites," notes a camper about off-season rates at Brushy Creek, making it budget-friendly compared to more populated areas.
What you should know
Cell coverage: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds, with some offering good service while others have none. At Kennedy County Park, "No cell service provider functions in this park. The WIFI is shared between dozens of sites, speed averages right around 5mps," reports a camper.
Seasonal closures: Most state parks close from January through March. "Brushy Creek State Recreation Area operates April 1 to December 31," with similar dates for other state-managed facilities in the region.
Site spacing: Many campgrounds feature tight quarters between sites. At Odebolt Memorial Walk RV Park, a visitor notes it's a "Cute tiny town with a cute little spot to park the camper. Located near the crick and manicured walking path. It didn't offer much but it's a nice spot to park for a night or two."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: University 40 in Lohrville provides camping near play areas, though reviews focus more on the location than the playground facilities. Nearby Kennedy County Park "has a nice playground surrounded by a well maintained, large, grassy area."
Swimming options: Brushy Creek maintains a public beach area that works well for families with children. "I like beach camp, but I LOVE north equestrian camp," shares a regular visitor who appreciates the water access options.
Nature education: Dolliver Memorial State Park offers environmental learning opportunities through its terrain. "We had a nice and cold adventure camping Easter weekend this year. Wish we would have rented one of the cute little cabins that have fire places. This park has great hiking trails," explains a family camper.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Gordon Prange City Park in Pomeroy provides basic rv camping with relatively flat areas, though has some issues. "Hope you like flooding and bugs all over the bathrooms. The city clerk was nice to your face but not when your back is turned, but other than that the town people are very nice."
Parking limitations: Ledges State Park Campground has specific challenges for tent campers that may impact RV parking as well. "If you want to tent camp, bring a cart or something to haul everything with. The parking lot is a LONG WAY from any private tent site," cautions a visitor.
Campground layout: Many rv campgrounds near Rockwell City feature one-way roads that can be challenging to navigate. "The roads inside the campground were all asphalt so lots of bikers enjoying rides around the grounds," notes a Kennedy Park visitor, highlighting the smooth surfaces that benefit both cyclists and RV drivers.
