Camping options near Stuart, Iowa range from basic county parks to full-service state facilities within a 30-mile radius. This central Iowa region sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with a humid continental climate that brings warm summers and cold winters. Camping season typically runs April through October, with several facilities offering early spring and late fall availability depending on weather conditions.
What to do
River access for fishing and boating: At Nations Bridge Park, campers enjoy multiple water activities along the Middle Raccoon River. "There is an upper and lower campground... Electrical at all the RV sites with grey water access and black water dumping station," notes one visitor to Nations Bridge Park.
Hiking and nature trails: Pammel County Park offers extensive trail systems through wooded areas. A camper at Pammel County Park reports: "The park itself is pretty good sized and offers water activities (Middle River and the Pammel Loop) and hiking. We didn't hike this trip, but trails looked to be pretty nice."
Water recreation on local lakes: The 171-acre lake at Lake Anita State Park provides multiple water-based activities. "The best feature of this park, in my opinion, is the four-mile paved recreation trail that goes around the entire 171-acre lake. Good for walking, running, or biking. The lake is beautiful, and we also saw people boating, kayaking, and fishing," writes one visitor.
Historical attractions: Just 25 miles from Stuart, the Winterset area offers historical sites including covered bridges. A camper at Winterset City Park mentions: "The Bridges of Madison County, Clarke Tower, cute local ice cream shop, John Wayne Museum! So much fun in a cute Iowa community!"
What campers like
Proximity to Interstate 80: Many campgrounds serve as convenient overnight stops for travelers. A reviewer of Des Moines West KOA Holiday says: "Not too far off the highway. Office is open until 7pm which was very helpful as we arrived a little later than expected. We'll kept, clean bathrooms with space heaters running to ensure they're warm during the December cold."
Affordable camping fees: Casey City Park receives positive feedback for its value. "This is a small little park off the highway, we had been traveling for two days and needed to stop for the night... Pros -- it was $10 a night, that's decent! Most places are more along this drive."
Family-friendly facilities: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and recreational areas. According to one camper at Middle River Point: "This is a beautiful spot. Was an absolute blast staying at this place. We loved Corey and his buddies!"
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many visitors note the cleanliness of campground amenities. A reviewer at Lake Anita State Park Campground shared: "We absolutely loved this campground. We stayed at #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."
What you should know
Seasonal availability varies: Most campgrounds operate from spring through fall with limited winter options. A visitor to Des Moines West KOA Holiday notes: "Don't pay attention to the highway signs that says they're only open until October, they're working on updating them."
Site spacing concerns: Some campgrounds have tightly arranged sites. A Lake Anita visitor commented: "The campsites have you packed in like sardines. It would have been nice if the mowing was all the way down to the lake instead of just a patch. Too many vehicles packed in a small area."
Weather and flood considerations: Low-lying areas can become muddy after rain. One camper reported about Nations Bridge Park: "The lower camp zone looks like it floods easily and was pretty muddy, so we opted for a nice level spot in the upper section."
Limited services at smaller parks: City and county parks often have fewer amenities. At Lenon Mill Park, a camper shared: "I've maked this down to 3 stars purely on the basis of the fee - it's a $20 flat fee whether in an RV with a hookup, or a tent with no hookup, and for that, you get a restroom and a spigot with drinking water, but no shower."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several of the best places to camp near Stuart, Iowa feature play areas for children. A reviewer at Beaver Lake Campground reports: "This campground is on the side of a lake. You hear beavers at night, see rabbits are on the sides of the lot."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured events for families. At Des Moines West KOA, a visitor observed: "Lots for kids to do! The pool was up and running perfect! They even had a dunk tank which was pretty funny! Cabin was beautiful inside and out!"
Child-friendly water features: Many campgrounds include water access appropriate for various ages. According to a Pammel Park visitor: "Fun splashing in the river catching minnows by hand. Pretty park. Easy turns with the trailer. The RV spots were a mixed bag. Some shady (higher numbers), some full sun. Playground was skimpy."
Spacious sites for family gathering: Some campgrounds offer more room than others for families. As noted by a Winterset City Park camper: "The sites are pretty well spaced with lots of grass and some trees in between. It was a good value for full hookup sites."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Electric and water connections are sometimes positioned inconveniently. At Pammel Park, one RVer warned: "There are water hook ups, I just had to use 75 feet of hose to get to it. And the electric I had to use a 30 ft extension cord."
Low clearance warnings: Some access roads have height restrictions. A Pammel Park visitor advised: "If you are over 12 ft, make sure and take the detour around the tunnel."
Site selection strategies: RVers suggest checking specific site details before setting up. At Nations Bridge Park, a camper recommended: "It's a little ways off the highway through the town of Stuart. There is an upper and lower campground and rumor has it that the lower sites can be a little muddy."
Signal strength for connectivity: Mobile coverage varies by campground and carrier. One visitor to Lenon Mill Park reported: "I had great T-mobile signal here (5G, 160 down and 20 up). And a somewhat decent 4G Verizon signal (70 down, 12 up)."
