Best Campgrounds near Smithland, IA

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Smithland, IA has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Iowa camping has to offer. Discover great camping spots near Smithland, reviewed by campers like you.

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Best Camping Sites Near Smithland, Iowa (77)

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Recent Reviews near Smithland, IA

203 Reviews of 77 Smithland Campgrounds


  • sparkleblaster S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Moorehead Pioneer County Park

    Safe and lots of trees

    I stayed on the picnic loop at one of three designated camp spots (according to the map posted at the end of the picnic loop). There was a nice shade structure, picnic table, fire pit, and grill. Pit toilets and trash bins nearby and a water spigot that wasn't working. I got in late on a Sunday. I saw some fishermen around the pond on my way in but no one else. There's a playground and a couple small pavilions across from where I camped, so I imagine it can be busy on the weekend.

    It's not really a campground. It's a county park with a few camp spots. If I hadn't found the sign with tent symbols I would have doubted it was a legitimate place to camp.

    The coordinates in the description here took me to a boat launch. This is the coordinate to the camp spot I stayed at: https://maps.app.goo.gl/BziGswnzeFVjgVxV6

  • J
    Aug. 24, 2025

    On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    Overnight stay

    This campsite was everything we were needing for the night plus more. The people were very friendly.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Snyder Bend County Park

    Nice lakeside walking path

    No reservation needed. Self check-in before 10pm. $25 for electric & water hookup. Lake facing spaces available if not already taken. Nice walking trail lakeside. Yes. There are mosquitoes at dusk.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    Comforting

    Night 1 of a 60 day trip with 42 moves. Super clean park and very well taken care of. I watched a youtube video that showed the park and it was like re-living a dream. Pulled in, stopped at office, John came in and helped me, asked me if I was a GoodSam member and charged me $43.34 for a full-hookup, super long pull thru. There were a lot of open spaces so the park felt very comfortable. Totally worth it.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    Comforting

    Night 1 of a 42 moves trip. You can find a few decent youtube videos that show the park and it was like living a dream. Pulled in, John came into the office, asked if I was a Good Sam member and charged me $43.34 for a full hook-up, extra long pull thru on the outside of the trees. I watch for that now after the top of a tree fell on power lines above my camper last year. Seemed pretty vacant but there were people here that looked like travelers. Very comfortable.

  • Nancy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Elk Point City Park Campground

    Nice park

    What a great find. $15 with electric and some water hookups. Playground right there and a nice walking path

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Scenic Park

    Perfect for 1 nite OR a long stay!

    Sites are easy to park in. Plenty of trees and grass. Some noise from train and city, but very bearable. Easy access from and to Sioux City and highway. Office folk accommodating, helpful, and there for you .

  • Laura N.
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Onawa-Blue Lake KOA

    Rude Manager, Unsafe Site, and Terrible Customer Service

    We travel full-time with a 40′ fifth wheel and have stayed at many KOAs— but this was by far the worst experience we’ve had. Upon arrival, we were placed in Site 29, which was muddy on both sides, narrow, and clearly not suitable for a rig of our size. We asked for another option and were moved to Site 27, which wasn’t much better. The sites here are shockingly narrow— barely enough width to safely open your slides, let alone enjoy the space. When my husband asked why no gravel had been put down, the staff responded that it had been raining a lot. He said,“Don’t make excuses for someone else. That pisses me off.” He didn’t yell, threaten, or use foul language— just expressed his frustration after a long day on the road. The employee left without issue. Minutes later, the manager came to our site angry, accused my husband of cursing at her staff, and demanded we pack up and leave immediately, despite us having already set up. When I tried to clarify what had actually been said, she refused to listen and insisted she believed her employee. She even told us she“couldn’t help that people didn’t know how to drive,” which I guess was her explanation for the mud— an inappropriate and dismissive response. Meanwhile, we took photos of visible cracks in the soil— clearly it hadn’t been as wet as claimed. To make things worse:• There’s almost no signage for this KOA until you’re practically on top of it— very difficult to find without GPS.• Another campground nearby welcomed us without issue and told us we weren’t the first to show up after leaving this KOA due to similar poor treatment. We’ll be sharing this experience on our blog and social media platforms— and we’ve heard this manager has a habit of calling guests liars when she receives bad reviews. So let me be clear: we stayed there, we have the photos, the receipt, and the conversation details. This was an unacceptable experience, and we strongly recommend avoiding this KOA.

  • Bob H.
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    RV park type camping

    Nice facilities well maintained.I guess most people are looking for this kind of camping, but it's a bunch of campers all piled on top of each other with no real views.


Guide to Smithland

Camping near Smithland, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: The Lewis and Clark State Park Campground is right by Oxbow Lake, which has a sandy shoreline perfect for fishing. One camper mentioned, "The campground was as I hoped. Empty except for 3 others. Oxbow lake is nice with a sandy shoreline."
  • Hiking: At Preparation Canyon State Park Campground, you can explore trails that offer stunning views of the unique landscape. A visitor shared, "The flora, fauna, and geology of this park are amazing and unique to North America."
  • Playgrounds and Family Activities: The Lewis and Clark State Park Campground features an amazing playground, making it a hit with families. One review noted, "Beautiful park, beautiful scenery and amazing playground!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers at places like Scenic Park. A reviewer stated, "The restrooms and shower are very simple but clean."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Snyder Bend County Park. One camper said, "Spots have water and electric for $25/night."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often mention the peaceful environment at Browns Lake Bigelow Park. A visitor remarked, "This place was so beautiful and peaceful."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Preparation Canyon State Park Campground, don’t have drinking water or electric hookups. A reviewer pointed out, "There are about 8 sites dispersed around the area so camping is always private."
  • Seasonal Availability: The Stone State Park Campground is open from April 1 to December 31, so plan your trip accordingly. One camper noted, "Ground was mostly dirt not grass on our site."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the warmer months. A camper at Snyder Bend County Park mentioned, "Mosquitoes were bad."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Check for Play Areas: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like the Lewis and Clark State Park Campground, which has a great playground for kids. One parent said, "Beautiful park, beautiful scenery and amazing playground!"
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours, which is great for families. A visitor at Snyder Bend County Park noted, "Busy but not noisy and quiet by 9."
  • Bring Bug Spray: To keep the mosquitoes at bay, especially at places like Snyder Bend County Park, where they can be a nuisance.

Tips from RVers:

  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Scenic Park offer electric hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A reviewer mentioned, "Spots are spacious and on pavement."
  • Check Site Levels: Some sites may not be level, so bring leveling blocks. A camper at Snyder Bend County Park said, "Plan on using your leveling blocks."
  • Be Mindful of Space: Sites can be close together at some campgrounds, like the Sioux City North KOA, where a visitor noted, "Campsites are very close together."

Camping near Smithland, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Smithland, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Smithland, IA is Lewis and Clark State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.