2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground houses glamping accommodations in a picturesque setting near the 85-acre lake, offering visitors tranquil surroundings with abundant shade trees. This boutique camping destination combines modern comfort with natural beauty, featuring glamping yurts equipped with electrical hookups for climate control needs. Located north of Bedford, Iowa, the park provides private glamping sites where guests can enjoy lakeside views while still having access to clean shower facilities and modern bathrooms. Waubonsie State Park also offers glamping options in a scenic woodland environment with hiking opportunities and recreational amenities. One guest shared, "The cabins are heated and cooled with the basic essentials—stove, microwave and refrigerator, perfect for those wanting to experience camping with more comfort than traditional tent sites."
The lakeside glamping accommodations at these parks provide excellent access to water activities including fishing, kayaking, and canoeing on no-wake lakes ideal for peaceful water experiences. Frisbee golf, hiking trails, and sandy beaches complement the glamping experience, allowing guests to combine outdoor recreation with comfortable overnight stays. Lake of Three Fires features 10 miles of interconnected trails perfect for nature walks or wildlife viewing directly from glamping accommodations. Visitors appreciate the proximity to Bedford for supplies, with grocery stores and gas stations just a short drive away. According to a camper, "There is a nice trail to ride your bike around the lake and through the park—don't leave your bike at home." Glamping cabins can be reserved online through the Department of Natural Resources website, with availability varying seasonally from April through December at most locations.
"Now on the spot where the fires burned, is said to be the Iowa State Park “Lake of 3 Fires” Located in Southwest Iowa just north of the county seat of Bedford Iowa, is a little hidden treasure for outdoor"
"Some of the trails were muddy, but there plenty of others to choose from. Red buds and flowers were starting to bring the forest to life. All fire pits have an incredible grate system for cooking."
Available this weekend
from $10 - $75 / night
"Beautiful campground on a man-made lake in Iowa. Very sparsely populated in the middle of the week even during the month of June. A wonderful bike trail circumvent the lake. About 4 miles long."
"This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $20 / night
"Nice spot, fire pits have nice swinging grates on them. There was a picnic table at our spot as well. Great view of the lake from here. We were in Campsite 092."
"Very nice place, close to the lake. Beach at walking distance through the trail. Fishing area, two kid playgrounds and at around 15 minutes to any grocery stores and gas stations."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $80 / night
"It appears not many people camp in Iowa in February. We had the campground to ourselves. We missed the crazy cold and snow by a day but it was 20 degree with the wind when I hiked the prairie."
"Not many amenities but the bathrooms are clean and the trails are fantastic. The view is great from the side bluff train. Close to Nebraska city. Tent sites are not too close together."
Available this weekend
from $12 - $110 / night
"Just a few mins off I-80 but no noise or signs of heavytraffic. Cute, quaint little town. All pull through spots and all sites are level."
"Electric, water and sewer available. Bathroom and shower were clean. But old style, so small and well worn."
"A few vault toilets are scattered around the park, but there are no shower facilities. Nearby is a small lake along with a nature center. Park is within a valley with lots of shade trees."
"Well,, it was alright, loud because of the toll bridge next to park, sites were close together, level, fire pits, picnic tables, electric, water and a dump station, stayed 3 days to visit family,, $20"
"Currently flooded, but should be ready for 2019"
"This is a small little park off the highway, we had been traveling for two days and needed to stop for the night."
"Cons: women’s bathroom was inoperable and men’s was locked; sites aren’t numbered or differentiated that I could tell at 2am. Pros: green & shady in places, nice park, lots of grass."
from $10 / night
ScoutWe camp here lots during the summer. No issues to speak of. Although it would be nice if they didn’t dig their fire pits deep. Mine. Is below ground level by 6 inches or so. Can barely see the fire. Today it rained and now it’s 6pm and my pit is full of water. It’s done raining. Kind of hard to have a fire now.!!!!
TravelerThere were a lot of open spaces to reserve the night before. It's a beautiful lake with lots of green places and trails to walk (especially with a dog). The campers and their kids were friendly. The facilities were sparkling clean. A nice respite from the road.
GuideWe came in really late on a Saturday night and were the only ones here. Cons: women’s bathroom was inoperable and men’s was locked; sites aren’t numbered or differentiated that I could tell at 2am. Pros: green & shady in places, nice park, lots of grass. Parked under two shady trees in what I thought was a spot, paid the $10 and slept in the car as usual.
LegendBeautiful campground on a man-made lake in Iowa. Very sparsely populated in the middle of the week even during the month of June.
A wonderful bike trail circumvent the lake. About 4 miles long.
The sites are pretty close together. For my first two nights I had no neighbors but then on my final night I was surrounded on all sides by a group that was camping together. Hard to escape their campfire, smoke and normal conversation voices.
I ended up staying an extra day because there were tornado warnings in the area. I was awoken at 6 AM to a tornado warning alarm and had to take shelter in the campground restroom. Thankfully, the restrooms were very clean and spacious. Good bonding experience with my fellow campers.
GuideWe were coming into town for the College World Series and intended to stay at Arrowhead. I called ahead and talked to a kind gentleman who let me know that Arrowhead would likely be full, but the fairgrounds would surely have space. With 24-hour self check-in, it was a perfect solution. Twenty-five minutes from Omaha and full, pull-through hook ups made this a solid stop over.
TravelerQuiet and clean campground. Bike/walk trail surrounding the lake. Lots of amenities for fishing and sightseeing on the lake
TravelerLake Anita State Park is beautiful! Large expanse of green in a hilly terrain. Sites are open but roomy and many new trees have been planted to eventually provide shade. Ranger came through periodically to check on all. People come to fish off the shoreline. Nice shower and bath house nearby. Huge storm came through last night!
TravelerThis is actually the Windsor Cove Campground within Haworth Park in Belleview, Nebraska. It is an older campground but near the river, walking trails, and close to all the amenities of Nearby Omaha (aprox. 25 minutes to downtown). I visited in Mid May and the park was about 25 percent full. The camp host is great and I would definitely visit again.
RangerThe areas for tent camping are poorly situated and not worth paying for imho. They have a pit toilet and a water spigot nearby, but that doesn’t make it worth the noise and amount of random local traffic circling my through the campground.
Lake of Three Fires State Park and nearby camping areas provide diverse accommodations amid the scenic Loess Hills region. These southwestern Iowa sites typically range from 1,000-1,300 feet in elevation, experiencing humid continental climate with seasonal temperature variations. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°F while summer days often reach 90°F, affecting site selection and comfort needs.
Hiking through varied terrain: Green Valley State Park features well-maintained trails with lake views. "The bike/walking trail is amazing, will take you all around the lake and into town. Right past the hospital and into McKinley Park," reports one camper at Green Valley State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural habitats support diverse bird populations. "We had chilly weather, but marvelous views of the water with a rare flock of pelicans! Some trails were muddy, but there plenty of others to choose from," notes a visitor at Lake of Three Fires State Park.
Frisbee golf: Multiple parks feature courses suitable for all skill levels. "It has miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing," shares a camper about Lake of Three Fires.
Peaceful no-wake lakes: The region's water features prioritize quiet recreation. "No wake lake perfect for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Clean well-kept shower and bath building as well," says a reviewer at Lake of Three Fires State Park.
Spacious waterfront sites: Select locations offer premium camping spots. "Site 55 is an absolute GEM. Spacious and right on the water! We didn't have any neighbors so it was like we had the whole place to ourselves," explains a visitor at Lake of Three Fires.
Off-season tranquility: Shoulder season visits can provide more solitude. "Although there were RVers and a nice group of Boy Scouts part of the time, there was no one else in our tent camping side," notes a spring visitor who enjoyed Lake of Three Fires during April.
Seasonal weather impacts: The region experiences significant climate variations. "We love this campground for the large trees and shade they provide in the summer. Our only complaint is the lack of weather warning system in the area," cautions a visitor to Lake Anita State Park.
Campsite proximity varies: Some locations have closely spaced sites. "The sites just are too close for me as a tent camper. They could almost use some of the day use picnic area as primitive sites," reports a camper at Waubonsie State Park.
Limited amenities: Rural locations may require advance planning. "The park is pretty rural, so if you need to make an emergency grocery or supplies run you might be out of luck," advises a Lake of Three Fires visitor.
Playgrounds and activities: Multiple locations offer recreational facilities. "This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. There is an adjacent area with non-electric sites that would work for tent camping. The lake is great for fishing or kayaking and there is also a beach with swimming," notes a visitor at Lake Anita State Park.
Cabin options for beginners: Glamping near Villisca, Iowa provides transition options for families new to outdoor experiences. "For those families who don't have a camper or RV but want to experience camping, there are 6 family cabins which can accommodate 4-6 people," states a Lake of Three Fires reviewer.
Shade considerations: Tree cover varies by location and affects comfort. "We love this campground for the large trees and shade they provide in the summer," shares a Lake of Three Fires visitor.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites can be limited at peak times. "This is a hands down one of the best campgrounds we've been to in the U.S. Everything is beautifully maintained from the grass covered campsites to the clean bathrooms and free showers. Full hookup and tent campsites are plentiful with or without reservations," reports an RV camper at Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds.
Dump station access: Not all locations provide on-site waste disposal. "There is a nice clean spot to camp for a bit. They have great hiking and bike trails," notes a visitor at Waubonsie State Park.
Site levelness concerns: Terrain can affect setup requirements. "A lot of the sites are sloped, so even ground can be hard to find," cautions a Lake of Three Fires camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Villisca, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Villisca, IA is Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Villisca, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 glamping camping locations near Villisca, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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