1 campground with availability this weekend
Lake Darling State Park Campground and Cedar River Campground provide upscale glamping accommodations within driving distance of Wapello, Iowa. Lake Darling offers glamping units with electricity, heating, and private outdoor spaces surrounded by woodland scenery. Indian Lake Park also features glamping accommodations with modern amenities including electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities. One guest shared, "The showers at the main lodge were AMAZING. We forgot our grill but thankfully their fire pits have a built-in grill which saved us so much!" The glamping tents and structures maintain a balance between rustic outdoor experiences and essential comforts, with most locations providing picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby restroom facilities.
At Cedar River Campground, glamping guests enjoy access to a swimming pool, mini-golf course, and playground, making it particularly appealing for family glamping experiences. The property sits adjacent to wetland areas and offers water activities on the Cedar River. A visitor noted, "This place became my wife's and daughters' favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful." Most glamping sites in the region remain open from April through October, with Lake Darling State Park offering year-round availability depending on weather conditions. Visitors appreciate the convenient locations near local attractions, with several sites positioned for easy access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and wildlife viewing areas. Many glamping resorts in the area provide firewood for purchase and maintain trash collection services to enhance the eco-friendly glamping experience.
"Stayed one night for tent camping, campsite was clean and accommodating with fire pit, picnic table, lights, Wi-Fi, and power plug. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Perfect camping site."
"Beautiful walk with trees and lakes, even in the rain. There may be some full timers, but not in our area. Check in was easy and the on-site staff are very friendly."
"We forgot our grill but thankfully their fire pits have a built in grill which saved us so much! It’s gorgeous and you can rent golf carts for the day!!!"
from $61 - $250 / night
"Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night)."
"following up on my review from over a year ago with fresh details, some new pics and a topline summary of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Full-hookup pull-through RV sites with 30 / 50 amp electric"
from $22 - $49 / night
"Convenient location a lot of amenities and activities"
Campground full this weekend
from $35 - $50 / night
"Lake Darling is by far the best, cleaners, friendliest campground I hand every stayed at...."
"Sites were fairly level and all pretty close to the showers/restrooms, and well spaced out between sites. "
Available this weekend
from $12 - $110 / night
"Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two."
"Back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level with the grounds being incredibly well-kept and impeccably clean bathroom / shower facilities with great HOT running water."
"Campground offers host, nicely maintained heated showers and restrooms, play area, firewood, available on site, RV pads are hard surface, have fire rings, water, electric, tables."
from $17 - $36 / night
"it has full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes,and f, playgrounds also cabins a stone lodge for family get togethers some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full"
"They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent. All very reasonably priced. Most of the sites are nice and shady and level."
from $8 - $50 / night
"Hard roads, fire pits, tables, water, showers, supplies. Surrounded by nature with forest, prairie, and lake.Trails, and even guided activities."
ScoutLake Darling is by far the best, cleaners, friendliest campground I hand every stayed at.... Traveling all the way from New Mexico they really make everything easy and welcoming thanks Iowa for welcoming us
ScoutQuiet place. Camp host was friendly. Bathroom needs a little care but overall great campground. As far as cellular service, I was only getting one bar, however Starlink worked great.
ScoutI would give it a zero if I could. Uneven pads for camper, right next to interstate and loud, neighbors so close it is unreal. Do not believe the pictures online posted those are campsites for permanent seasonal campers in the back. I was told the cost was $650 a month then charged $718 on my card. Campers are placed tongue to the back of your neighbor in front of you camper. so if one wants to move out you have to pack up your camper and move yours to a temporary spot for a couple of days so they can get out then pack up your camper again and move it again. They broke the contract doing that with us so instead of signing a new contract on a new spot we went ahead and went to another campground. Owner (which you never see, never picks up phone or has an office you can go to) continually tries to charge my credit card a large sum of money because she is mad. Update three weeks later still trying to charge my credit card various amounts. We didn’t even complete the whole month we paid for and did not ask for a refund for the days not stayed so technically they owe us money. Also you are not allowed to have any mail sent to you if renting monthly' and there was a lot of trash and illicit drug use going on in the campground.
GuideIf you’re looking for a quick stop on your travels with full hookup and a bonus pool this is perfect! The host is very friendly and accommodating. Easy on and off of I80. There is not a lot of shade but if you have AC and an awning, you will be just fine
LegendThis campground is well-maintained, includes basic amenities: hard surface, picnic table, fire rings, water, electric, sewer, firewood for purchase on site, full shower, house and restrooms, seasonal campground host, and lots to do within the Park itself. This site is a few years old, and trees planted our continue to grow.
LegendWe followed our GPS along with the campground instructions, though the written directions were slightly off. Coming off I-80 to IL-92 west, the instructions said to turn left at the third stoplight onto 78th Street, but the correct turn was actually at the second stoplight. Other than that small hiccup, both the GPS and campground directions worked fine. Check-in was quick and easy, and we were guided by golf cart to our site. We were told to make wide turns where the cart did, and by following that advice we had no issues pulling into pull-through site 31 with full hookups. The site was more than long enough for our 40-foot fifth wheel and F450. Most of the utilities were located near the middle of the pad, but we needed about 25 feet of water hose to comfortably reach the connections and align with the sewer. We had 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on T-Mobile. The campground has mature trees throughout, so satellite users may need to reposition for a clear shot, though it would be possible. Since our T-Mobile signal was solid, we used T-Mobile Home Internet instead of deploying Starlink. Water pressure was decent during our stay. The campground offers a mix of deluxe patio sites and water-view or water-access sites, though for our one-night stay we were in a basic gravel site. There are permanent and seasonal residents in the campground, but the sites were neat and orderly. Overall, this was a decent campground for a short stop or even a longer stay.
LegendI’m following up on my review from over a year ago with fresh details, some new pics and a topline summary of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS:
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Full-hookup pull-through RV sites with 30 / 50 amp electric power, water, and sewer; (2) Dust-free gravel pads and flat grass spots, perfect for quick setups or longer rests with no leveling hassles; (3) Amenities galore: hot showers, clean restrooms, laundry, dump station, even a game room and refreshing pool (during warmer weather); (4) Friendly, helpful owner (Mike) on call 24/7, even for late arrivals– trust me, genuine hospitality in the middle of nowhere; and (5) Quiet enough to hear crickets, yet close enough to I-80 for that satisfying highway convenience without the roar
LOWLIGHTS: (1) Kiddie pool energy during peak season where the playground and pool are great for families, but can feel like summer camp at times; (2) Tiny tent sites clustered against cornfields with those looking for solitude may feel a little too close for comfort; (3) Not a wilderness escape for nature seekers, but more ‘pampered road stop’ than ‘forest retreat’; (4) No reservations online: you have to call or Facebook-message Mike for a spot, which works until your cell signal doesn’t; and (5) Lacks thematic glamour overall, as it’s both friendly and functional, but it won’t win any camping ambiance awards.
Happy Camping!
Traveler“This place became my wife’s and daughters’ favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful. The managers are always courteous and attentive.”
GuideNot our typical campsite but we had the kids down for the weekend and we thought a campsite with a pool and mini golf would be a fun break from the norm. Sites are really close if you’re a tent camper but it is good as far as RV parks are concerned. Tent camping, eh, considering it’s right next to I80 and that’s where the 4 tent sites are, tent campers get a lot of the noise pollution from the interstate
Wapello, Iowa sits at the confluence of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers at an elevation of 586 feet with seasonal weather patterns typical of the Midwest. Camping facilities near Wapello remain operational primarily from April through October with limited winter camping options. Primitive camping sites, RV hookups, and yurt accommodations share space with wildlife habitats across the region's glacial plain topography.
Fishing access points: At Indian Lake Park, the clean lake offers multiple fishing spots around its perimeter. "Very nice park and not to near a train. Very modern facilities that were clean," notes Charles A. The park maintains catch-and-release regulations for certain species.
Trail exploration: Several hiking paths connect camping areas to water features. At Lake Darling State Park Campground, visitors can access multiple trails along the shoreline. "There were several hiking trails-maps seemed to not quite fit the trails and lake to some degree. Several ponds have been added to the lake and along the hiking trails that aren't on the map," explains Molly L.
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, campers can rent various watercraft at multiple locations. "There is a lake with a nice sandy beach. Hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, bird watching. There are many things to keep you busy here," reports Dave N. about Indian Lake Park. Rental options typically range from $10-25 per half-day depending on watercraft type.
Clean facilities: Bathroom and shower cleanliness consistently appears in positive reviews. "The bathroom facilities are clean and well kept but the showers could use some updating and better cleaning maintenance," shares Douglas P. about Lake Darling State Park Campground. This practical feedback helps manage expectations.
Site spacing: At Camp Liberty, campsites offer good separation with natural barriers. "Camp offers site for all tastes: primitive and modern cabins and lodges, tents for small or large groups and couples. Hard roads, fire pits, tables, water, showers, supplies," explains James M.
Yurt camping options: Yurt camping near Wapello, Iowa provides shelter while maintaining a connection to nature. "This park has something for everyone. They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent. All very reasonably priced," notes Dave N. about Indian Lake Park, which offers alternatives to traditional tent camping.
Seasonal changes: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. At Little Bear Campground, "While we showed up the last week of the season to encounter that the community pool was closed, apart from this, there really wasn't a ton of other amenities to speak of," reports Stuart K. Operating seasons typically run April through October.
Reservation requirements: During peak summer weekends, securing sites in advance becomes necessary. "Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends," notes Dave N. about Indian Lake Park. Most campgrounds accept reservations 3-6 months in advance.
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. "It is right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400," explains Jackie J. about Cedar River Campground. Sites farther from major roads offer quieter settings.
Playground access: Cedar River Campground offers multiple recreation options for children. "Not our typical campsite but we had the kids down for the weekend and we thought a campsite with a pool and mini golf would be a fun break from the norm," shares Steve T. Their playground equipment suits children ages 4-12.
Swimming options: Several locations maintain swimming areas with varying amenities. "They have a great fireworks display for the fourth. Spots are tighter than what we prefer, but will be back again," notes Jenny about Cedar River Campground. Most swimming areas open after Memorial Day and close before Labor Day.
Yurt accommodations: Families seeking structure beyond tent camping can consider yurt options near Wapello. "Our family has been camping at Lake Darling for the past couple of years. We very much like the campground and the lake area," shares Douglas P. Yurts typically include beds, electricity, and sometimes heating elements.
Hookup varieties: Woodside Campground offers complete utility connections. "Sites have tables, fire rings, hard pads. Little shade until trees grow. Park offers swim pool, golf, concessions, shelters, hike/bike/horse trails," reports James M. Electrical service ranges from 30-50 amp at most locations.
Site leveling: Many RV sites require minimal leveling effort. "Dust-free gravel pads and flat grass spots, perfect for quick setups or longer rests with no leveling hassles," explains Stuart K. about Little Bear Campground. Most pads are composed of compacted gravel rather than concrete.
Dump station access: "It has full hookups, tent site swim beach, fishing, canoes, and playgrounds also cabins a stone lodge for family get togethers some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full hookups also a shower house and modern restrooms, fire wood for sale We go at least 3 times a year. So nice and quiet the lake is clean they also have a dump station," notes Mary F. about Indian Lake Park. Dump stations typically operate during posted office hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Wapello, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Wapello, IA is Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA with a 4.5-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Wapello, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 glamping camping locations near Wapello, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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