Best Campgrounds near Tracy, IA

The landscape surrounding Tracy, Iowa features a mix of developed campgrounds along the shores of Lake Red Rock, the largest lake in Iowa. Established sites include Howell Station Campground, Whitebreast Campground, and North Overlook Camp, all offering accommodations for both tent and RV campers. These Corps of Engineers (COE) managed campgrounds provide varying levels of amenities, with most featuring electric hookups, drinking water, and toilets. Several locations like Wallashuck Campground offer multiple access types including boat-in, drive-in, and hike-in options for a range of camping preferences.

Camping seasons typically run from April through October, with most facilities closing for winter. A camper noted, "Camping doesn't get much better than this in Iowa. The North Overlook site is part of a much larger group of COE campgrounds on Lake Red Rock." Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. Access roads are generally well-maintained, allowing for most vehicle types including larger RVs at sites labeled as "big-rig friendly." The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal variations with hot, sometimes humid summers and cold winters. Campgrounds like Whitebreast, Howell Station, and Wallashuck provide sanitary dump stations for RVs, though not all locations offer full hookups or showers.

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Tracy area. The nearby Lake Red Rock supports various water activities, with multiple boat ramps available at several campgrounds. According to visitor feedback, "Red Rock is the largest lake in the state and can accommodate any size water craft." Many campsites feature fire rings, picnic tables, and trash collection, though amenities vary between locations. The Volksweg trail, accessible from North Overlook Campground, offers hiking and biking opportunities with connections to nearby attractions. While most campgrounds provide some shade, tent campers should note that some tent-specific areas have limited tree cover. Several reviewers mentioned the cleanliness of facilities and helpfulness of camp hosts, with firewood often available for purchase on-site at around $5-6 per bundle.

Best Camping Sites Near Tracy, Iowa (98)

    1. Howell Station

    7 Reviews
    Pella, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    $22 - $24 / night

    "We will be staying here every year, this is the best site we've stayed at in central Iowa. Great fishing, bike trail right next to the campsite. Great views too. Dam is right there and you can fish."

    "It’s well maintained, the bathrooms are clean, you’re not packed together like sardines, there’s a nice bike/walking trail around the park and (at least when we’ve visited) bald eagles, blue herons and"

    2. Whitebreast Campground

    8 Reviews
    Lake Red Rock, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    "Our site had a great view of the lake, as well.   The campgrounds are a drive away from the beach and most boat ramps. "

    "Can walk down to the dock. We love to camp there every Fourth of July. It is a great place for all ages to enjoy."

    3. Wallashuck

    5 Reviews
    Pella, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    $20 - $24 / night

    "Wallashuck in Pella, iowa is one of my favorite places to camp. It’s mostly quiet and peaceful. Plus town is close and has plenty to entertain or fill up supplies"

    "We were able to camp in a tent near RVs without feeling crowded. The restrooms, showers, and playground were all close by…great for camping with kids."

    4. Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

    4 Reviews
    Lake Red Rock, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 309-9885

    $25 - $120 / night

    "The perfect drive up private campsite you will find in Iowa. Very quiet with a beautiful view of three ponds and a sunset you will not want to miss."

    "Plus just 6 miles from our fav brewery in Iowa."

    5. Eveland Access

    3 Reviews
    Oskaloosa, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 673-9327

    $20 / night

    6. Whitebreast Camp

    3 Reviews
    Knoxville, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    $20 - $288 / night

    "Sits on the bank of Red Rock Lake which has great fishing."

    "it has shaded camping areas, nice bathrooms, hiking trails, fishing, and a nice beach. I camp here every year!"

    7. North Overlook Camp

    3 Reviews
    Pella, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 828-7522

    $14 - $24 / night

    "Camping doesn't get much better than this in Iowa. The North Overlook site is part of a much larger group of COE campgrounds on Lake Red Rock."

    8. Roberts Creek West Campground

    4 Reviews
    Otley, IA
    13 miles
    Website

    "Caveat: you cannot see the lake from the camping spots Camped site 26

    Wooded county campground. Many of the spots at the West campground are paved. They all have electric."

    "Easy in and around campground. A lot of space between sites. Sites are fairly level with hard pack gravel."

    9. Ivan's Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Pella, IA
    8 miles
    Website

    "This is a beautiful COE park along the overflow of the lake. Cell service was terrible, but we loved the park. People were friendly and super helpful!"

    10. Equestrian Campground — Elk Rock State Park

    4 Reviews
    Lake Red Rock, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 842-6008

    $14 - $72 / night

    "There are lots of trails around the area. It’s also a great place if you like to go horse back riding with lots of trails that go near the water.

    There are camp hosts to help answer questions."

    "We really wnjoyed riding the trails here. Good facilities for our horses."

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Recent Reviews near Tracy, IA

293 Reviews of 98 Tracy Campgrounds


  • Gillian L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Adventureland Campground

    Nice site

    After some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us. Pull through paved 50 amp sites, with water and sewage. Picnic table for use. Within view of Adventureland so it was cool to see the rides lit up at night as we parked. Clean park. Will definitely stop by again when we aren’t just passing through!

  • Kent W.
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Howell Station

    One of our favorites

    This is a really nice campground. It’s run by friendly, helpful people. It’s well maintained, the bathrooms are clean, you’re not packed together like sardines, there’s a nice bike/walking trail around the park and (at least when we’ve visited) bald eagles, blue herons and pelicans line the river. It’s just a little over an hour from us so it’s easy to get to.

    We’re trying parks all over Iowa and Howell has been one of our favorites.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Campground Diamond In The Rough

    Following up on my review from over a year and a half ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this county park campground gem in a very rural part of Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) EZ access and just a 20 minute / 9 mile drive due south from I-80 via Exit 201; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (4) The RV area looks to be brand spanking-new and offers very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas as well as most have an excellent view of Lake Diamond; (5) The hiking trails and bountiful fishing spots make this a simply wonderful campground; (6) Incredibly simple honor system to accessing any site on a first-come, first-served basis – simply stick your money in an envelope and pick out whatever location suits you; (7) While basic, the bathhouses were in pretty good condition and very clean; (8) Kid’s playground is fantastic and nearly brand new; (9) Reasonably priced bundles of pre-cut firewood; and (10) Overall the overnight price to stay here, whether RV or tent-camping is very cheap, so great value for $

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic in here, although you are so far out in the boondocks, it’s not really much of a concern; (2) The newly minted RV area slopes down to the lake, but as you park perpendicular, it shouldn’t be an issue; (3) Also, because the RV area is new, there’s no trees or brush, which creates a lack of privacy between sites; (4) Nearly all of the RV slots – save the few that are right next to the lake - have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings, at least in the tent camping areas, are worn-out and in pretty poor condition and should be replaced or refurbished; (7) The water in Lake Diamond is quite dark and murky, so unless you are an adventurous soul, I don’t recommend swimming here

    Happy Camping!

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Nice campground. Clean. Well kept.

    We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.

  • Clifton B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Very nice campground off the beaten path

    Wife and I met friends here in August 2025.  This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY.  The campground was very well maintained.  Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional.  We really enjoyed the long weekend here.  Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August.  Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did.  Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees.  Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Adventureland Campground

    Great campground and amazing amusement park

    July, 2017

    Great place but not quiet at all.  Short walk to the amusement park.  We were there for most of the early summer so we got a season pass to the park which included the water park.  They also have workcamper programs.

    We especially loved the fireworks display on the 4th.


Guide to Tracy

The Tracy, Iowa area features multiple public campgrounds around Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest reservoir at approximately 19,000 acres. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions with temperatures between 45-75°F. Campgrounds in the region sit at an elevation of about 750 feet above sea level, with many sites positioned along wooded shorelines.

What to do

Fishing access points: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated fishing areas along Lake Red Rock's shoreline. At Howell Station Campground, campers find "great fishing, bike trail right next to the campsite" and can fish directly from the nearby dam according to camper Jesse H.

Biking trails: The paved Volksweg trail connects several campgrounds and extends around portions of the lake. A camper at Roberts Creek West Campground notes the park has "bags and horseshoe courts near the entrance" in addition to trail access, making it suitable for multi-activity days.

Birdwatching opportunities: The lake area hosts diverse bird populations, particularly during migration seasons. At Howell Station, campers can enjoy "fishing and bird watching" along the river where "bald eagles, blue herons and pelicans line the river" according to reviews.

Beach swimming: Whitebreast Campground provides swimming access at Whitebreast beach, though campers should note that water conditions vary. One visitor mentioned, "Whitebreast beach had sand at the top... As you made your way further down and into the water, there was muddy, wet clay."

What campers like

Spacious sites: Many Lake Red Rock campgrounds feature well-distanced campsites. At Wallashuck, visitors appreciate that "campsites are well spaced, some have good views of the lake" and note "ample space for our needs, but not overly private."

Shade coverage: Mature trees provide relief during hot summer days at most area campgrounds. Reviewers at Roberts Creek West highlight "dense, tall shade trees" where "each site has a nice view of the woods," while at Howell Station campers find "large trees that provide a lot of shade."

Clean facilities: Maintained restrooms and common areas receive frequent positive mentions. At Wallashuck, visitors report "showers have good hot water" while campers at Whitebreast Camp note the grounds are "well maintained" with "nice bathrooms."

Accessibility: The flat terrain makes most campsites near Tracy easily navigable. Howell Station provides "handicap camp site and bathhouse" accessibility, and many campgrounds feature "gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most Lake Red Rock campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season (May-September). Weekend dates fill quickly at popular sites like Howell Station and Whitebreast.

Limited hookup options: While most campgrounds offer electric service, full hookups are scarce. At Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake, visitors get "the perfect drive up private campsite" but with minimal amenities, focusing instead on "a beautiful view of three ponds and a sunset you will not want to miss."

Cell service varies: Coverage can be unreliable depending on location and carrier. One camper at Wallashuck reported "poor Verizon cell signal, no internet signal," though other campgrounds may have better connectivity.

Weather preparedness: The open landscape makes campgrounds vulnerable to sudden storms. A Howell Station camper noted staff preparation during severe weather: "the night we stayed, there was a severe weather threat, and the staff had unlocked the storm shelters should the need arise."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Howell Station offers "play grounds for the kids" and "play sets and swings," while Wallashuck provides "convenient location to showers and playground for kids."

Hiking difficulty levels: Trails around Lake Red Rock vary in challenge level. At Equestrian Campground, "hikes throughout the woods were quite nice and eventually loop around," making them suitable for families with varied hiking abilities.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Seasonal wildlife sightings enhance family camping experiences. One visitor to Equestrian Campground reported an exceptional wildlife encounter: "We must have been there at just the right time, because lined all through the trees along the lakes edge were eagles upon eagles. I'd say we saw about 70 bald eagles."

Local attractions: The Dutch-themed town of Pella sits approximately 10 miles from many Lake Red Rock campgrounds. A Howell Station camper mentioned, "the Dutch themed town of Pella is a short drive and a must see," providing a cultural day trip option.

Tips from RVers

Leveling requirements: Most campgrounds feature relatively level sites with minor adjustments needed. Howell Station offers "gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required" but campers note sites are generally "spacious" and "level."

Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dump facilities. Whitebreast Campground and Howell Station both feature sanitary dump stations that reviewers describe as "easily accessible."

Big rig accommodation: Many campgrounds can accommodate larger RVs but with size limitations. At Whitebreast, "sites were very spaced out and they are only on one side of the road so no sites backed up to ours," providing adequate room for larger units.

Electric service options: Most RV sites offer 50-amp service but without full hookups. A camper at Roberts Creek noted some sites have "full hookups" but they're limited, adding that "sites are fairly level with hard pack gravel."

Frequently Asked Questions

What RV parks and campgrounds are available in Tracy?

Tracy has several RV-friendly options to choose from. Kellogg RV Park offers simple but convenient amenities, including recently updated shower facilities and a laundry building. It's uniquely situated behind a Phillips 66 gas station that's known for serving "Iowa's best burger" – a nice perk for RV travelers. For those seeking more natural surroundings, Lakeside Co Park provides water and electricity (20, 30, and 60 amp) at all sites for $20 per night. The lakeside sites can accommodate short to medium-length RVs or trailers, offering easy lake access, though be aware there's no dump station available.

What are the best camping spots near Tracy, CA?

Tracy offers several excellent nearby camping options. North Overlook Camp is one of the premier destinations with its heavily shaded sites and direct access to a large beach with shower houses and concessions. The campground is part of the Lake Red Rock system, offering beautiful views and water recreation opportunities. For families, Thomas Mitchell County Park provides a great alternative with both electric and non-electric sites available. The creek that flows behind the outer loop sites is perfect for children to splash around in. Both campgrounds offer reservable sites, though Thomas Mitchell also has walk-up availability for spontaneous camping trips.

Are there free camping options available near Tracy, California?

Free camping options near Tracy are limited but available with some flexibility. Rebel's Cove Conservation Area offers basic, no-fee camping with few amenities but beautiful natural scenery. This is ideal for self-sufficient campers who don't mind trading conveniences for cost savings and solitude. For those with RVs, the Walmart — Newton Supercenter permits overnight parking in their lot, which can serve as a free stopover option. Always call ahead to confirm this policy as it may change. While not completely free, Howell Station offers some of the most affordable camping in the area with great fishing access and bike trails nearby.