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.
$15 - $50 / night
"Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa!"
"There’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers."
"Nice campground clean bathrooms the trails are really good quiet and peaceful"
$30 - $35 / night
"Playground, boat ramp, picnic area fishing, birdwatching, equestrian camp & trails, something for everyone."
"But the lake in the area is beautiful and there's quite a large space to the park with lots of trails and open field areas."
TravelerWell kept & family friendly camping in Iowa! We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water. Short walk to the very clean restrooms with flush toilets & showers. Will come back!
TravelerI pulled in and found a wide open campground. I picked a site high on the bluff overlooking the reservoir. It had quite the view. It’s a newer area so trees are planted for the future. Sites are spacious with water and both 30 & 50 amp hookup. Clean dump station that also has a fish cleaning station. Playground, boat ramp, picnic area fishing, birdwatching, equestrian camp & trails, something for everyone.
ScoutThere’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers. Very nice for Iowa state parks.
TravelerNice campground. Very few tent only - mostly RVs/trailers. Washrooms basic but clean. Large site under trees with mix of sun & shade. Grassy area for tent. Access to water close by. Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak. Everyone seemed friendly though some folk stayed up pretty late on Friday!
LegendThis place was pleasantly clean to me. Blue lake which is the lake this state park sits on. When you drive in from the road you see on your right the lake and to your left are houses. You go farther down and you see picnic accesses off the lake. And there is a swimming area and beach further down with a fully accessible restroom. There is also a keelboat on display and visitor center with a musuem. The center was closed when we were here, (thanks covid). Behind that is a dock and a little look out tower next to it. This is where we saw people kayak mainly. You go farther down and this was where the campsites were. This appeared to be more of a park set up for rv and campers than any tents. You go farther down pass this and you find more accesses to trails, and taller grass. This is a great park especially for a rv, and how clean it is.
LegendVibe: Relaxed summer lake fun.
Cleanliness: Average
Facilities: Slightly dated but adequate
General spots: Good size, good spacing, not private. Large cottonwood trees offer good shade on lake side spots.
Our site: 10. Close to the swimming area. Not far from bathrooms.
Noise: Friendly chatter. Mostly quiet. Some music from the summer camp across the lake(see below).
Cell signal: Good (Verizon)
Other: The lake isn’t huge, but the water was not murky and you could wade out pretty far and still be shallow enough to stand. A summer camp is across the lake and they played some evening music and morning music starts at 7:30.
RangerWe chose this park after some family raved about their visits. We were excited, but let down. The lake was ok, we were unable to purchase a temporary state fishing license onsite. The hiking trails could be so much more than the mowed paths through tall grass. The water at the water for filling smells horrendous. The dump station is a tight squeeze for anything other than a small bumper pull camper. Our kids had fun at the park, but we were just not impressed with the location.
GuideThis is a pleasant campground. There are water lots available. Some spots can be reserved. Others are walk in only. Decent room between lots, though I would prefer a bit more room. Most sites are electric only. A slim amount are full hookup. Excellent playground for children. Popular place for boating in the summer months. Dirt trails to explore around the grounds.
ScoutThis campground has clean facilities, a lake you can swim & boat in, a playground for kids and basketball court walking trails, a keel boat ride and one evening they even did an outdoor movie for all the families! One of my favorite places to camp! Lots of campers but everyone was respectful and we had a lot of fun!
Horse camping in Iowa offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities, making it an ideal choice for equestrian enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Smithland, IA is Lewis and Clark State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Smithland, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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