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Best Campgrounds near Tracy, IA

292 Reviews

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.

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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

    $16 - $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 Camping Photos near Tracy, IA

78 Photos of 98 Tracy Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Tracy, IA

292 Reviews of 98 Tracy Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • Jerry V.
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    Well Maintaned & Good Fishing

    I stayed at site #13 with my two boys.  We had a blast.  I would highly recommend site #13.  It had plenty of space for a large tent and canopy.  It had a nice access spot for fishing.  The new restroom/shower facility was very nice and clean.  Most sites are pretty sandy as this was an old quarry so be prepared for that.  There was also company on-site that rents Kayaks.  The campground manager was extremely helpful.  He had firewood already staged for $7 and even came back on day two with more firewood for the same fee.

Guide to Tracy

Camping near Tracy, IA, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Many campgrounds, like Rock Creek State Park Campground, offer boat rentals. One visitor mentioned, "Boat, kayak and canoe rentals seemed reasonable and little store was convenient."
  • Fishing: The lakes in the area are great for fishing. A camper at Lake Wapello State Park Campground noted, "Great place to camp, kayak, fish, and hike!"
  • Hiking: Trails are available for all skill levels. A reviewer at Diamond Lake County Park said, "Great trails to walk around as well."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor at Yellow Banks County Park said, "Showers were warm and sites were either paved or good gravel."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Thomas Mitchell County Park mentioned, "Very nice camp host told us we could have a non-electric site, none of them were reserved."
  • Scenic Views: Campgrounds near lakes provide beautiful scenery. A reviewer at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground shared, "The campground area is clean...great sunsets."

What you should know:

  • Reservations Recommended: Many sites are reservable, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Kellogg RV Park noted, "The only real issue is the constant noise from I-80 which is just to the south of the campground."
  • Limited Shade: Some campgrounds have few trees, so be prepared for sun exposure. A visitor at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "No shade, giant electrical boxes."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be cautious of wildlife, especially at night. A camper at Yellow Banks County Park warned, "Other campers warned us not to leave anything out at night because teenagers come through sometimes looking for stuff to steal."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Many campgrounds have playgrounds for kids. A reviewer at Lake Wapello State Park Campground mentioned, "Several hiking paths...great fishing."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A camper at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground said, "Clean bathroom with good showers. Limited shade options."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A visitor at Diamond Lake County Park noted, "Very nice camping place very laid back and good people around."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure to confirm the type of hookups available at your site. A camper at Newton KOA advised, "Some sites only offer 30 or 50, while some do offer both."
  • Choose Lower Sites: If possible, opt for lower sites to avoid highway noise. A reviewer at Newton KOA mentioned, "The original section is the only section with any mature shade trees."
  • Explore Local Eats: Don’t miss out on local dining options. A camper at Kellogg RV Park suggested, "The burgers were not the greatest but ok."

Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed adventure, camping around Tracy, IA, has something for everyone!

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.

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