Lake of Three Fires State Park and surrounding campgrounds in southwest Iowa offer camping options in the Loess Hills region, where unique wind-deposited silt formations create a distinctive landscape. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with summer highs reaching the upper 80s, affecting camping comfort throughout the year. Campgrounds near Stanton provide varying degrees of tree coverage, with some sites offering complete shade while others provide open views.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Green Valley State Park features 10 miles of trails that circle the lake and extend into town. According to one reviewer, "The bike/walking trail is amazing, will take you all around the lake and into town. Right past the hospital and into McKinley Park."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes in the region support diverse fishing activities. At Lake Anita State Park Campground, "The lake is great for fishing or kayaking and there is also a beach with swimming. Bring your bikes to ride on a paved trail that goes all the way around the lake."
Frisbee golf courses: Several parks offer disc golf options for alternative recreation. "It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing," notes a camper about one park.
Wildlife observation: The region supports diverse bird populations. At Duck Creek Recreation Area, "We saw white pelicans and blue herons on this visit but it is not uncommon to see hawks, owls, and eagles in the area."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds provide peaceful settings away from urban noise. At Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds, one camper noted, "It is very quiet, right in small town America. I saw two tractors driving through town and only a few more cars."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities enhance the camping experience. A visitor to Green Valley State Park Campground mentioned, "The grounds are quite lovely and the facilities were super clean."
Proximity to water: Lakeside campsites are highly valued. "The campground offers a great view of lake and close access to docks," states a review of one park.
Seasonal differences: Timing affects the camping experience significantly. "We visited in August and realized it was prime family vacation time before school starts up again, so a little crowded and noisy. We plan to go back when Autumn arrives, mid week," reports a Green Valley State Park visitor.
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Campgrounds differ in how closely sites are positioned. At Waubonsie State Park Campground, "The campsites are nice but close with not much space in between."
Reservation systems: Some parks require advance planning while others allow walk-ups. "Many of the camp sites, cabins and shelters are available to reserve online at the Department of Natural Resources website- however there are some that are first come first serve."
Wildlife presence: Native animals may visit campsites. "There are signs in the bathrooms warning of the raccoons. These signs are not exaggerating. We had a raccoon at our campsite trying to steal our food while we were there."
Weather warning systems: Emergency notifications vary by location. "Our only complaint is the lack of weather warning system in the area. The park rangers came around to warn campers of possible severe storms coming through the area, but if a tornado warning happened, we would have no notification."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Casey City Park, "It also had a magnificent playground. My kids had been cooped up for two days and needed to run off some pent up energy and this was perfect."
Beach conditions: Swimming areas vary in quality and maintenance. "The beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon," notes one camper.
Entertainment options: Some parks offer organized activities. "On saturdays during the summer they do Disney movies and free popcorn," reports a visitor about one location.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences. A visitor to Hitchcock County Nature Center shared, "With the nature Center there is plenty for the kids to do. There's even a 1 mile hike on a boardwalk that's very easy. They have a hawkwatch tower. Lots of information about Hawks and nature conservation."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Terrain affects setup ease. "A lot of the sites are sloped, so even ground can be hard to find," reports one RVer.
Hookup options: Electrical service varies between parks. "The non-electric sites were not as crowded as the full-hookup sites," mentions a reviewer about one location.
Dump station access: Not all parks offer on-site dumping. "There is a dock where you can fish and it also has a cleaning station also available."
Driving conditions: Some parks have challenging access roads. "The roads are a bit windy but everything is paved including the main roads of the park."
