Camping sites near Stanton, Iowa offer convenient access to southwest Iowa's natural attractions across Montgomery County and surrounding areas. The landscape features gently rolling hills with elevations between 1,000 and 1,200 feet, creating varied terrain for hiking and outdoor recreation. Summer temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F with higher humidity levels, while camping season extends from early spring through late fall with most facilities closing or reducing services after October.
What to do
Biking trails around lakes: Lake Anita State Park Campground features a 4-mile paved recreation trail circling the 171-acre lake. "The lake is beautiful, and we also saw people boating, kayaking, and fishing. Although swimming is also allowed, the beach was not the best for this activity," shares Lee D.
Disc golf courses: Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground offers a frisbee golf course among its recreational options. "It has a good sized lake for fishing and kayaking, but not to big for large speed boats. It has miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing," notes Caralee D.
Equestrian camping: Pierce Creek Recreation Area provides dedicated facilities for horse owners. "There is the equestrian camp grounds. This one is pretty Basic, honestly. It has electrical hook ups, horse corals, and out house," explains Tony B., making this a unique option for travelers with horses.
What campers like
Tree coverage for shade: Lake Icaria Co Park provides well-shaded sites even during hot summer months. "This is a very clean, lovely camp ground. The spots are spacious, and there are tons of options. In the fall we went and had no neighbors. It's busy in summer, but well kept," writes Nicole B.
Fishing opportunities: Viking Lake State Park offers diverse fishing environments despite mixed reviews about catch rates. "We been to Viking Lake a few times over the years. And it has been cool to see this place evolve over time. They did drain this lake a few years back. But this little place has a lot to offer for campers. There trails, fishing, and kayaking," says Tony B.
Clean facilities: Pilot Grove Co Park maintains its grounds well despite its smaller size. "Off the beat campground, perfect for those late night campfires!" mentions Deb W., highlighting its appeal for campers seeking seclusion.
What you should know
Campsite spacing varies significantly: Sites at Lake Anita State Park Campground can feel crowded during peak season. "Nice state park with all the amenities, but, this State Park definitely needs to be updated to accommodate the bigger and wider campers. If you like to be on top of each other, this is your campground!" warns Deb W.
Limited facilities at smaller parks: Hacklebarney Woods County Park offers basic amenities but might be easy to miss. "Be careful not to drive by Hucklebarney Woods, if you're not careful you will pass it by. There is a sign but it is not very visible and you may have to hit your brakes pretty hard, so be careful," advises Matt S.
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds offer year-round access with reduced services. "Very nice and cheap. 8 for camping, 12 with electric and 18 full hookups. That's a great price for the view. I will definitely be back when it's greener. Verizon is 2 bars of 4g. And Starlink is only possible in select places, as there is a lot of trees," reports 1life1try about winter camping at Viking Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake View Campground offers family-friendly amenities beyond just camping. "Always seems to be a lot of kids running around and riding bikes. Individual shower rooms. Clean bathrooms. Friendly staff," notes Ashley B.
Beach activities: Lake of Three Fires State Park provides sandy beaches for children. "The beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon. We love this campground for the large trees and shade they provide in the summer," mentions Caralee D.
Movie nights: Lake Anita holds special events for children during summer months. "There is a park and on Saturdays during the summer they do Disney movies and free popcorn. The lake is good for fishing. They have a beach and volleyball," shares Laura B.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up options and pricing: Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground offers various site types for different camping styles. "For the RV or trailer enthusiasts there are 24 standard electric sites and 63 non-electric sites, plus 3 buddy sites. In addition, there are 23 equestrian sites (some electrical) and 1 equestrian buddy site along with plenty of holding stalls and tie outs for horses," Kimberly W. explains.
Site selection considerations: Lake Icaria provides details about campsite characteristics when booking. "Very nice place. Full hook up spots were very nice. Easy to get into, plenty of space, fire pit, picnic table, friendly & helpful park officers," Mike S. shares about his experience.
Internet connectivity: Cell service and satellite internet access vary across camping areas. "Verizon is 2 bars of 4g. And Starlink is only possible in select places, as there is a lot of trees. It's January, so I chose my spot for the internet," notes 1life1try about Viking Lake State Park.
