Traditional campsites near Thor, Iowa provide alternatives to luxury glamping accommodations. Located in north central Iowa approximately 80 miles north of Des Moines, this area features rolling prairie landscapes with elevations ranging from 1,100-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with daytime highs in the 60-70°F range.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Kennedy County Park offers multiple fishing spots with boat ramps. "Multiple kids parks, beach area, fishing areas with boat ramps, trails, kids butterfly garden," notes Megan H. about Kennedy County Park.
Hiking trails: Ledges State Park features challenging terrain with sandstone formations. "The hiking trails are cool. I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc. The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them," says Jennifer M. about Ledges State Park Campground.
Bird watching: Little Wall Lake County Park provides habitat for diverse bird species. "The frogs in the nearby swamp were fun to hear. Lots of birds too," notes Mary about the park environment at Little Wall Lake County Park.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Kennedy Park campgrounds receive positive reviews for upkeep. "I can't say enough about Kennedy Memorial County park in Fort Dodge Iowa. Its beautiful well taken care of has a nice playground and access to a beautiful golf course! And FREE WIFI! All for $18.00 a night," writes Mary J.
Affordable camping: Pilot Knob State Park offers budget-friendly sites. "For $12/night on a 30AMP hookup, I really can't complain. This is my first of many stops in the new RV, needed a place to camp out before getting it serviced the next day," shares Jacob B. about Pilot Knob State Park Campground.
Scenic views: Don Williams Park provides waterfront camping with lake vistas. "Great sites right on the lake. Trails, fishing and beautiful lake views," reports Ryan M. about his experience at Don Williams Park.
What you should know
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies significantly across campgrounds. "No cell service provider functions in this park. The WIFI is shared between dozens of sites, speed averages right around 5mps," reports Jeannie D. about Kennedy County Park.
Weather considerations: Wind exposure affects some camping areas. "This is a nice small camp area that only has one downfall: a lack of wind break. We went when the wind was blowing in typical Iowa summer fashion," explains Bill M. regarding Little Wall Lake Park.
Campground layouts: Site spacing differs between parks. "Unfortunately, the RV park is quite cramped. The sites are somewhat modest in size and the one-way roads are narrow and unmarked," notes Sherry N. about Kennedy Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Several parks feature dedicated children's areas. "Multiple kids parks, beach area, fishing areas with boat ramps, trails, kids butterfly garden," explains Megan H. about Kennedy County Park facilities.
Swimming options: Little Wall Lake provides water recreation for children. "Clean and host was nice. Kids had a fun time and want to come back. Close to the interstate and easy to get to," shares Traci J. about The Grotto of the Redemption RV Park.
Shower facilities: Bathroom amenities vary between parks. "The bathrooms are updated and nice. When there is heavy rain you will however have your own pond at most sites," Lisa M. explains about Clear Lake State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection: End sites often provide more space. "We were lucky to snag Site 34 (reserved about three months in advance) – it was on the end, making it a much larger site than the interior sites (all end sites in our section were larger)," advises Lee D.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional equipment. "Not all sites are level, and most do not have delineated parking pads (there is a small pavement indent to show where to access the site)," warns Lee D. about Pilot Knob State Park.
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites are limited at many parks. "There are only 6 full hook up sites and the care taker made sure we got one. The rest of the sites are beautiful with electric hook up," explains Lai La L. about Clear Lake State Park.
