The central Iowa landscape surrounding Williamsburg offers rolling prairie terrain punctuated by several reservoir lakes within 30 miles. At an elevation averaging 750 feet, the area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures frequently reaching the upper 80s and high humidity from June through August. Winter camping requires preparation for below-freezing temperatures, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Hiking and wildlife viewing: F. W. Kent Park provides numerous trail options through varied terrain. "Plenty of campsite offerings with good amenities. Paddling, fishing, hiking, swimming, to name a few... Forest, prairie, wetland habitats," notes James M. The park features a lake circumference trail approximately two miles long, with "walking bridges made from recycled iron and memorial trees of many varieties" according to Lisa S.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Iowa County Park offers fishing opportunities with easy shoreline access from the campground. "The campground is above the lake but a short trail will take you to the lake," explains Ken G. The nearby pond also attracts wildlife, creating additional fishing spots within walking distance.
Water recreation options: Sugar Bottom Campground provides direct access to Coralville Lake with "great beach swimming area. Fun for all," according to Steve T. The lake supports multiple water activities with "a boat ramp, beach, playground, walking trails, recycling (!) and an amphitheater" as noted by Steve B.
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural features: F. W. Kent Park receives consistent praise for its site layout. "Unique mix of RV and tent sites in a variety of sizes. Some close together would be good for groups and some remote," explains Mary H. The campground maintains "lots of space between sites" according to Shelton A., providing more privacy than many other options in the region.
Clean facilities throughout: West Overlook Campground maintains "very clean and well run" conditions as reported by John D. The shower facilities receive particular attention with "clean bathrooms are a bit old but fine" and "it's nice that there's a utility sink outside the bathroom" according to Mary S.
Wildlife encounters: Hannen County Park provides frequent wildlife sightings due to its varied terrain. Campers report seeing "deer and rabbits right outside our door" as Wendy D. describes. The campground's location atop hills creates natural habitat corridors where animals frequently pass through camping areas.
What you should know
Varying terrain and leveling requirements: Several campgrounds in the area require significant leveling equipment. At Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow, "Not only did it look like EVERY site was uneven" according to Lisa M., while Warren W. advises to "bring a lot of leveling blocks. Most sites are slanted in both planes."
Campground gates and access timing: Some parks enforce strict gate closing times. F. W. Kent Park "gates are locked at 10pm so if you needed to come or go, you're stuck" according to Desiree R. Always check individual campground policies regarding late arrivals or early departures.
Seasonal crowding patterns: Lake Macbride State Park experiences significant weekend crowding during peak season. "The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars is how busy both campgrounds get on weekends and holidays giving you little to no privacy since sites are pretty close together," explains Jacob B.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playgrounds suitable for different ages. At F. W. Kent Park, "there were also a few playgrounds that my grandkids loved" reports Sue K. The equipment tends to be basic but functional with swing sets and climbing structures.
Beach swimming options: Modern North Campground at Lake Macbride State Park provides family-friendly water access. "Great place to take the family for summer fun. The beach area is usually well maintained," according to Jessica P. The swimming areas typically include roped-off sections with gradual depth changes.
Hiking difficulty levels: When planning hikes with children, consider the terrain variations. At Lake Iowa County Park, "once down to the water trail are easy to walk" notes Leslie P., but "to walk to the lake or near by pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for any one with mobility issues."
Tips from RVers
Dump station locations: For RVers requiring dump facilities, West Overlook Campground offers "a double-hole dump station that can be accessed in both directions" according to MickandKarla W. Several campgrounds in the area provide dump stations near entrance/exit roads for convenient access.
Electric service reliability: Amana RV Park & Event Center provides dependable hookups with "services work well and wifi is strong" according to Julie G. However, she notes that "most roads are gravel and if it rains alot, there are puddles everywhere and it is pretty soft coming in and out of sites."
Site dimensions for larger rigs: When traveling with larger RVs, Christoph R. notes that Amana RV Park is "great for RVs and anybody who has a setup that doesn't rely on shaded areas." The campground features "wide open park with very very easy access" as Ash B. describes, making it suitable for rigs requiring more maneuvering space.
