Lee County Pollmiller Park offers direct access to a small lake with water activities that can be enjoyed throughout the camping season. Located in West Point, Iowa, the park sits at approximately 700 feet elevation and features both open and wooded campsites. The climate typically permits camping from early spring through late fall, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak season. The cabin accommodation options range from rustic to full-service structures depending on the specific campground.
What to do
Swimming and beach time: Lee County Pollmiller Park provides a swimming beach for hot summer days. One visitor noted, "They have a good swimming area where u can rent canoes and different things which isnt very expensive!!"
Fishing opportunities: Big Hollow Recreation Area offers excellent fishing access with multiple species. A regular visitor mentioned, "If you are into fishing, this place has large mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish."
Hiking trails: Indian Lake Park features several trails for day hikes through wooded areas. According to a camper, "There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach. Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends."
Star gazing: The rural location of these parks provides excellent night sky viewing. Big Hollow Recreation Area even has "a place to use a few telescopes to see the stars!" according to a recent visitor.
What campers like
Concrete camping pads: Wilson Lake Park offers level concrete pads that RVers appreciate. As one camper described, "We stayed at site 2 which is a little smaller than we would've liked but it is all concrete and has full hook ups."
Cabin accommodations: The rental cabins at Indian Lake Park are frequently praised for their value. A visitor reported, "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."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the maintenance standards. One Wilson Lake Park visitor noted, "Clean rest rooms and coin op showers. There were a lot of ticks, but the camp was quiet. I saw many people fishing."
Friendly camp hosts: The staff at various parks receive positive mentions. At Indian Lake Park, a camper shared, "Tony and his wife are the camp hosts. Tony was so helpful and nice. The camp sites are spacious and clean."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin accommodations require advance booking, especially during summer months. For Wilson Lake Park, one visitor advised, "Took our new camper out for a one night stay. It's a nice small place with a nice little pond."
Facility limitations: Bathroom availability varies by location and season. A Wilson Lake visitor noted, "The only real complaint we had was that there were no lights in the bathrooms, we didn't want to use the campers bathroom for just one night. There were other bathrooms but they were locked."
Water conditions: Lacey Keosauqua State Park Campground offers lake access, but water quality varies seasonally. A camper observed, "I could see the spring and summer months getting busy with lake use. Trails were well maintained and tended even late into the season."
Ticks and insects: Some campgrounds report seasonal tick problems. One Wilson Lake Park visitor mentioned, "There were a lot of ticks, but the camp was quiet."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple camping cabins near West Point provide playgrounds for children. Spring Lake Campground offers family-friendly recreation areas. A visitor shared, "Nice place for kids and adults! Would highly recommend. Get there early or make reservations fills fast!"
Water recreation: Several parks offer child-friendly water activities. A Spring Lake Campground visitor mentioned, "I've stayed here every summer great place lots todo with the kids had a lake to fish, kayak, canoe. Has and outdoor skating rink next to the lake very neat."
Wildlife viewing: Evening wildlife sightings add to the family experience. A Lacey Keosauqua visitor noted, "Bonus: the deer came out each evening to forage."
Local attractions: Some cabin camping locations provide access to nearby towns with family amenities. A visitor to Lacey Keosauqua mentioned, "Nice sites, great beach, and just close enough to town to grab some ice cream from a local shop."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete utility connections. A Big Hollow visitor mentioned, "This is a great campground. Sites are pretty level and easy to get parked. Full hookup!!!"
Site selection strategy: For group camping, specific sites work better. At Big Hollow Recreation Area, "If you are in a group you can reserve spots 8 and 9 together or there are some long spots in the Eastern part for double occupancy if you want."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts site conditions and accessibility. During off-season at Lacey Keosauqua State Park, a camper reported, "Stayed for a week in mid November. Although we had a storm at the beginning and end the overall stay was great. Weather ranged from 50s to 70s during the day and 30s to 40s at night."
Access challenges: Some parks have tricky entrances for larger vehicles. One Camp Nauvoo visitor advised, "If you are southbound on Illinois Hwy 96, the left turn off the highway is very sharp and steep. Might be easier to continue about a mile south and use the scenic turnout to turnaround."
