RV sites near Ventura, Iowa cluster around several lakes in the North Central region, with most open from April through October. This area features multiple state parks and county-managed facilities within a 30-mile radius. Camping options range from basic electric sites to full hookup accommodations on both public and private land.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Clear Lake State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access with numerous species to target. A camper noted, "Close to the beach, town and the lake has great fish."
Hiking trails: Pilot Knob State Park Campground features multiple trail options through woods and open areas. "Beautiful campground. Well maintained. Nice facilities. You can't beat this place for the price. Nice hiking trails too," shared a visitor.
Kayaking and canoeing: Water activities are popular at Myre-Big Island State Park, where rental equipment is available. "The park offers geocashing (and free GPS rental), as well as canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and a small fishing that can be rented," according to a reviewer.
Swimming areas: During summer months, the campground at MacNider Campground provides access to the adjacent city pool. A camper shared, "The ground and well kept and staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. There is a nice playground on site plus the city pool is right next door."
What campers like
Peaceful settings: McIntosh Woods State Park Campground offers secluded sites despite its convenient location. One camper reported, "Our camp was so private & we were happy because we had a new puppy that was from a hoarding situation & not real social."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathhouses across area campgrounds. At Beeds Lake State Park, a visitor observed, "The campground was super clean and the bathrooms the cleanest I've seen at a state park."
Wildlife viewing: Many parks in the region offer opportunities to observe deer, birds, and other animals. At Myre-Big Island State Park, a camper mentioned, "Seeing large groups of deer was a daily/nightly thing!"
Budget-friendly options: Inglebretson Park County offers economical camping with basic amenities. According to a camper, "Very inexpensive, convenient, nice place to stay for a layover. I'll just say a gem of a simple place."
What you should know
Reservation needs: Summer weekends fill quickly at popular parks in the region. A camper at Clear Lake State Park noted, "It being full more than a week before the holiday, shows how great it is."
Site spacing: Many campgrounds feature closely positioned sites. At Three Fingers Campground & RV Park, a visitor observed, "This is primarily a long-term RV site with a few transient sites. People are friendly, bathrooms and showers are well-maintained."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close for winter with varying end dates. Beeds Lake State Park operates "May 1 to December 31" while Three Fingers Campground runs "April 1 to November 1."
Traffic patterns: Campgrounds near highways may experience noise. At KOA Kampgrounds of America, a camper mentioned, "This is a nice little campground, but it's location (although convenient) right off the freeway is less than ideal. The background noise isn't terrible but it's always there."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Beed's Lake State Park Campground offers multiple recreation options for children. A visitor shared, "Good variety of activites to do, with lots of camping sites- including some right next to the lake."
Shower facilities: When camping with kids, individual shower rooms make a difference. One camper at Clear Lake State Park reported, "The shower house is nice. It's hard to control the temperature in the showers, too hot for little kids to stand directly in the water."
Site selection: Some parks offer more privacy than others for family camping. At Beed's Lake, a visitor advised, "Great state park for a quiet weekend trip. Tons of great tent sites, but it seemed like the RV spots were pretty close together. We stayed at #142 and it was the perfect tent location."
Water activities: Lakes and swimming areas provide recreation for all ages. A camper at Clear Lake noted, "The playground was fun for the kids, nice beach access! Paved roads are great for bike riding."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Oakwood RV Park offers convenient access for larger rigs. A visitor noted, "Great campground for our overnight, would be a wonderful extended stay as well. Easy access off I-35. Guided right into the site, easy hookups."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited at some parks but more plentiful at private campgrounds. At Clear Lake State Park, a camper shared, "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."
Interior roads: Some parks have challenging navigation for larger RVs. A camper at Myre-Big Island State Park cautioned, "The interior roads are dirt roads with a few potholes they are very narrow. We were able to drive through the campground with our 40 foot fifth wheel. But just barely, be careful!"
Water quality considerations: Water systems vary across campgrounds. At Oakwood RV Park, a visitor mentioned, "Water had a chlorine taste is the only drawback, but probably no worse than city water."
