7 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several RV campgrounds surround Shell Rock, Iowa, providing options for motorhome travelers. Pine Lake State Park Campground offers electric hookups with both 50-amp and 30-amp service on sites that accommodate big rigs. George Wyth State Park Campground provides electric sites with 50-amp service and city water connections. "Sites are gravel, most sites will require some leveling but are not too bad," noted one visitor about Cedar View Park, which features both 30-amp and 50-amp electric pedestals plus water spigots at each site. Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA maintains level pull-through RV pads with full hookups including 50-amp service, operating year-round with amenities like a convenience store and dump station.
Seasonal availability varies significantly across the region's RV parks. While Clear Lake State Park Campground operates from April through December, Lakeshore RV Resort and Campground limits its season from May 1 to October 15. Most campgrounds provide sanitary dump stations, though Pine Ridge Park lacks this facility according to reviews. Cell service remains reliable throughout the area, with one camper reporting "3 bars on T-mobile which got me 64 down and 18 up" and similar Verizon coverage at Cedar View Park. Pet-friendly policies are standard at all surveyed campgrounds, with designated pet areas available at some locations like the Lost Island KOA, which features a fenced dog area. Propane fill services are generally unavailable on-site at most parks.
"The staff was really nice, showers were clean and they had laundry too! It backs up to a corn field, right off the Interstate but the noise was barely there. Huge grass pull through lots everywhere."
"Well run campground with full hookups available for$35/ night. Bathrooms are clean and lots of warm water for showers. Great place for a night or two. Near the highway but road noise is minimal."
from $35 - $50 / night
"Nice place good amenities. Has plenty of fishing access archery gun range. Boat access. Decent shower/ bathroom facilities."
"Right on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp..."
"It was very hot so filtered the results, showing spots with electric hook-up in order to run the AC a bit."
"This campground appears to be new or newly re done, great showers and bathrooms, right on a bike trail seems to connect to everything. Quiet large sites with full hook ups, more sites being developed"
"Nice park with a bike path around the lake. A few nature trails, but nothing I would call hiking. Two vault toilets placed on the bike path. One modern bathroom with showers in the campground."
"It’s self pay, and only $20per day, for water, electricity, picnic tables, and fire ring. They’re good sized spaces. There’s clean bathrooms"
"Surprisingly with it's location in relation to Hwy 20, it's actually pretty quiet. There is a paved trail that'll take you over to the lake so it's not a bad walk."
from $15 / night
"** 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.)"
"If you're looking for a wooded campground that offers you both quiet sites to relax but also offers a variety of activities for all ages, this is the place for you to setup your tent, or RV."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $20 / night
"Highway 218. R Campground is just a few miles off of the saints highway on the south eastern side of town. Interior roads and sites are gravel, many with 50 amp full hook ups. "
"Right next to the Cedar River (you can watch it flow from your camp spot), also very nice pond with geese."
from $50 / night
"It worked out well as I was tired of driving. There isn’t much to this place, which might be why I had the whole place to myself."
ScoutKurt and Debbie are awesome. Couldn’t ask for better hosts. Campground has several ponds to fish and a small beach area. Being from Florida, I’ll say the beach is adorable! Dollar general is 2 minutes away. Has food side as well. Propane fill 2 minutes away. Several playgrounds, frisbee golf and shower houses. Lots of regular campers here on weekends so plenty of people to meet in season. I’m here for work so a bit different for me.
LegendVery nice state park campground. There are cabins as well as campsites. The park is adjacent to Pine Lake and water based recreation is available including swimming beach and boating. The campground is off a paved road and is near to town. There is a walking path to the boat launch from the campground. Biking/hiking trails are on property.
LegendSmall park with basic amenities along the river. There is a big event center at the entrance and keep going back and the campground is there along the river. This would be a great area for paddling the river. Seemed pretty quite and spaces are moderately spread out. There is a rifle range on the property if that interests you (negatively or positively- there is a photo of the rules in my review). No shooting while I was there.
LegendCute park in Rockwell Iowa. There is a south campground too, but that was blocked off when I was there. There is a public golf course and aquatic center just a few hundred feet from the campground. The campground is on the edge of town. There a a river running between the south campground and the main campground with a footbridge over the river. Dump station present. Playground for kids. There are sites along the river edge.
LegendThe campground here is no longer available… however, several hundred yards down the country road, there is a campground (looks to be the same system, called Robinson park)
LegendCute small park/campground in Iowa farm country. Inexpensive and quaint. Has a small creek nearby. Kids play area too. Basic amenities.
LegendWe came here for a visit and we’re going to stay but the online reservation system was difficult for us with Canadian coverage in cell phones.
We carried on to black hawk instead as they had easier first come first serve but this place was much nicer.
The sites were large and mostly private. It did seem a bit “wet”
We even saw a deer
LegendI edit my review - the gun range next door is obnoxious. Why would they have that next to a park with walking trails ?
Big enough for big rvs, big sites Showers Water Hydro Quiet $18 for unserved $30 for serviced
ScoutGreat time friendly people and owners and campers.
Shell Rock, Iowa sits at 930 feet above sea level in the rolling hills of Butler County. The Shell Rock River flows through town, providing fishing opportunities at several nearby campgrounds. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s during peak camping season.
Hiking trails: Pine Lake State Park Campground offers multiple well-maintained hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. "Good variety of activites to do, with lots of camping sites- including some right next to the lake," notes one visitor about the surrounding recreation area. The park features trails that follow the lake shoreline.
Fishing opportunities: Both Pine Lake State Park Campground and Cedar Bend Park provide access to quality fishing spots. A visitor to Cedar Bend noted it has "great trails, older playgrounds, nice bathroom, good price." At Pine Lake, another camper mentioned "fishing is good here, as are the hiking trails."
Water activities: Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA features a lake with beach access. "Gas station and nice playground on the campground," states one reviewer. Another mentioned the KOA has a "lake with beach area and an area for fishing."
Clean facilities: Many campers praise the bathroom facilities at Clear Lake State Park Campground. "The park is clean, the shower house is nice," reports one visitor. Another mentions "the bathrooms are updated and nice."
Spacious sites: At Shell Rock Rec Area, one camper described the "wooded campground by the Shell Rock River" with "27 Electric only sites on grass camping pads." The $15 per night fee includes access to a "fish pond and river fishing, playground and clean shower/bathroom house."
Family-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer kid-focused recreation. At Beyonder Getaway at Lazy Acres, a visitor noted it has "lots of stuff for kids (putt putt, paddle boats, horseshoes, basketball, Gaga, trampoline, playground)."
Seasonal limitations: Many rv sites near Shell Rock, Iowa close during winter months. One Beyonder Getaway visitor noted "they hadn't cut the grass but was in the process of cutting it. This caused swarms of bugs" in late May.
Weather considerations: George Wyth State Park Campground sometimes experiences flooding. A camper observed that "because it is so close to river anytime it rains heavily there is flooding in several areas of the park."
Site layout variations: At Beed's Lake State Park Campground, "over half of the campsites are parallel parking. That means if you don't know the person camping across from you, you'll be staring at a stranger just a few feet away during your stay."
Playground access: Shell Rock Rec Area has a "clean shower/bathroom house" and playground near the camping area. Similarly, Lost Island KOA provides "a nice playground" within the campground.
Swimming options: Beed's Lake State Park Campground offers water recreation for children. One visitor mentioned "the swimming beach was gross, but the hiking trail was great for an easy walk with kids."
Child-friendly activities: Pine Lake State Park has cabins available as an alternative to tent camping. A camper reported, "the cabin comfortably fit 4 of us. It had a nice stone fireplace, a decent living room, small kitchen, and bathroom."
Site leveling: Most rv campsites near Shell Rock, Iowa require some leveling equipment. At Clear Lake State Park, a visitor noted "sites not too level, but spacious."
Utility hookups: Many campgrounds offer varying electric service. At Shell Rock Rec Area, the 27 electric-only sites cost $15 per night with "no trailer dump in park but available in nearby town of Shell Rock."
Site selection strategy: For more privacy at Clear Lake State Park, one camper advised, "we were lucky to snag Site 34 (reserved about three months in advance) – it was on the end, making it a much larger site than the interior sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Shell Rock, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Shell Rock, IA is Lakeshore RV Resort and Campground with a 1.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Shell Rock, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 91 RV camping locations near Shell Rock, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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