Viking Lake State Park Campground provides tent, RV, and cabin camping options 5 miles east of Stanton, Iowa. The 137-acre lake offers no-wake boating and multiple fishing jetties for anglers seeking bass, bluegill and catfish. Most campsites feature shade trees with several sites directly backing to lake inlets, providing easy water access for kayaking and fishing.
What to do
Fishing and kayaking: Viking Lake State Park's 137-acre lake remains a popular fishing destination with multiple access points. "This little place has a lot to offer for campers. There trails, fishing, and kayaking. There is also a swimming area and beach and clean bathrooms," notes Tony B.
Hiking varied terrain: The trail systems around the parks offer different difficulty levels for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. At Lake of Three Fires State Park, "There are 10 miles of trails that intertwine around the entire Lake. There are some specific trails for hiking but some others that offer horseback riders an amazing view of the lake," according to reviews.
Swimming and beach activities: Several parks offer designated swimming areas with sandy beaches. "The beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon," mentions a camper at Lake of Three Fires. During summer months, Lake Anita State Park offers additional entertainment: "On Saturdays during the summer they do Disney movies and free popcorn."
What campers like
Spacious sites with lake views: Many campgrounds offer sites with direct lake access. At Viking Lake State Park, "Our campsite had great shade from the trees and was right next to an inlet from the lake. We had a great spot to place our kayak in right by our campsite," shares Caralee D.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathrooms and showers were well kept. Was lucky and got a campsite under some shade," notes Kayla F. about Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground.
Reasonable pricing: State parks in the area offer affordable camping options. One visitor to Lake Binder Co Park reported, "Electric sites are $20 a night or $800 for the season. There's a dump station and several water spigot. A bathroom with cold running water."
What you should know
Reservations recommended: Popular parks fill quickly, especially during summer months and weekends. "This place fills up! Great campground with restaurant, beach and boat rentals," notes Laura B. about Viking Lake State Park.
Variable cell service: Connectivity can be limited in some areas. "Verizon is 2 bars of 4g. And Starlink is only possible in select places, as there is a lot of trees," reports a 2023 visitor to Viking Lake State Park.
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. At Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground, "Was lucky and got a campsite under some shade, but quite a few weren't so lucky. Ended up with site 60, right in front of the showers and bathrooms, which was great but also sucked. As soon as the bathroom doors opened the fans came on, which late at night was kind of annoying."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. Lake Anita State Park Campground offers "site #70 which was a full hookup. It backed up the playground and bathrooms. Everything was in super clean and the whole campground was very well taken care of."
Beach activities: The swimming beaches provide entertainment for children during hot summer days. "There is also a great sandy beach area for swimming," notes a reviewer about Lake of Three Fires State Park, making it ideal for families seeking pet friendly camping near Stanton, Iowa.
Recreational amenities: Lake Icaria Co Park offers various family-friendly activities beyond basic camping. "It's busy in summer, but well kept. They had people cleaning the bathrooms constantly which was great for tent camping with a large group! It's quiet, beautiful lake, great boating, great swim spot, fun park for kids."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Several parks offer large, accessible sites for RVs, though space can vary. At Lake Anita, "The campsites have you packed in like sardines," according to one reviewer, while Viking Lake provides more room with "11 sites on the upper circle and 4 on the lower circle."
Electric and water access: Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, but full hookups are limited. One reviewer at Lake of Three Fires notes, "Very few electric spots and they are close and in disrepair," suggesting calling ahead to confirm utility availability when seeking pet-accommodating camping options near Stanton.
Dump station locations: For RVers needing sanitary services, Nodaway Valley County Park offers "a dump station centrally located that you can easily pull up to on your way out," which is helpful information for planning longer stays with pets.
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