Campgrounds near Spencer, Iowa offer access to the Iowa Great Lakes region, where visitors find several recreational bodies of water including West Okoboji and Spirit Lake. Camping options in northwest Iowa range from heavily wooded sites with oak tree cover to open lakeside spots with crushed gravel pads. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while fall camping sees temperatures dropping to 50-60°F during the day.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Marble Beach State Recreation Area provides access to Spirit Lake, which is Iowa's largest natural lake. "Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and provides some of the best fishing in the state. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish including walleye, northern pike, muskellunges, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads," notes reviewer Mick P.
Biking trails: The Great Lakes bike trail connects many parks in the area. At Marble Beach State Recreation Area, reviewer Mallory S. states, "The bikes trails are great! We rode around the lake. There are plenty of places to visit in the area. We enjoyed the beer at West O and had a superb lunch at Monarch Art Cafe."
Hiking with nature views: Fort Defiance State Park offers wooded trails through diverse terrain. "Fort Defiance is a forresty natural state park in Iowa... The valley has a small river or a big creek, idk you tell me the difference, what you can cross over a few times on the trails," shares Adrian D. The park also features morning wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Modern bathroom facilities: Emerson Bay State Recreation Area receives high marks for clean facilities. One camper, Alec S., notes, "The sites are well maintained, bathrooms are IMPECCABLE someone was out cleaning the shower house at 11pm one night." Another reviewer, Samantha S., adds, "Spaces were clean, bathrooms were nice. Beach is very close. Showers were private."
Level camping areas: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained sites. Reviewer Brenda B. describes Emerson Bay as a "Nice, quiet area for RV camping." Flat, crushed gravel sites make setup easier for most campers, though some parks have more challenging terrain.
Lake access points: Buena Vista Co Park offers peaceful camping with water recreation. "We love this park. We have never been there when it's really crowded, but we know it gets that way. Sites aren't crunched together, so you have privacy," says Lori N. The park maintains trails and facilities well, allowing for wildlife sightings during hikes.
What you should know
Campground renovations: Some parks undergo periodic upgrades. For example, Marble Beach underwent extensive renovations in 2018-2019. More recently, Tjossem County Park added new facilities as noted by Cody H.: "This is a great campground for a weekend getaway. The pros of this campground are It's full hook up. It has a brand new shower house. It has a brand new playground."
Site layout challenges: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. At Gull Point, one camper reports, "This park is a CCC built park. Lots of twists and turns for an RV to get to their spot. We have a longer TT, and it was tight and nerve wracking to navigate."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October or December. Off-season camping may offer more solitude, as Tracy B. found at Marble Beach: "Easy to access- large site campground. Nice sites that back up to spirit lake with enough room for bigger rigs to get into easily and have tree coverage to feel wooded. Easy to check in and out of. Great price for a full hook up site."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access for kids: Several campgrounds offer lake access for swimming. At Fort Defiance State Park, Tim notes, "The big creek that runs through the kiddos can play in. It is not deep but it's water. There are some other small little creeks too. Around the camping area, the kids rode their bikes."
Playground equipment: Some parks feature new play areas. Ashley N. says Buena Vista Co Park is "great for first time campers! Its cost effective and quiet. The lots are spacious and have a pull through so you dont have to back up! The trails are very well maintained!"
Kid-friendly fishing: Tjossem County Park offers pond fishing perfect for children. Matt M. reports, "Fishing in the pond had a lot of small bluegill and crappie. Perfect for the young fishermen with little patience. Using an ultralight and small jig I was catching them about every second cast."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At some campgrounds, electrical connections may require planning. Matt M. notes about Tjossem Park: "If electrical comes out of the rear of your camper you need an extension cord or just pull the camper forward in the site."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Spencer: For pet owners, several options welcome four-legged companions. Gull Point State Park Campground offers shaded sites for pets, with one camper saying it's "By far quietest park at lake which is nice if you are looking for less crowds." However, the campground is "near a swampy area so bugs kinda rough."
Water fill stations: Not all campsites have direct water hookups. Daniel N. cautions about Gull Point: "They DO NOT have water hookups at each site, the lady in the phone said they had water but didn't clarify you have to fill up. I got trailer all disconnected and leveled and finally realized, no water. Had to re hook up and go to spicket to fill."
