Mission Creek Festival

A handful of different venues make up the Mission Creek Festival, which means onsite camping is not available for travelers. While there are plenty of parks in the area, such as Hickory Hill Park and City Park, these are not RV-friendly for overnight stays. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can find the best place for RV camping within a short distance of Downtown Iowa City.

Campers are likely to encounter several RV parks in and around Iowa City. Outdoor travelers may want to snag a site near the Iowa River to the north or along I-80 to the east or west just less than 20 miles either direction to find a variety of campground styles.

Look on the outskirts of the city, toward the small community of Hills by the Iowa River to the south, and the small townships surrounding Cedar Rapids. It might take a little longer to get into Iowa City every day, but the drive can be as memorable as the event you’re attending. Note that some campgrounds in the area only accommodate permanent residents.

With congestion during peak hours in Iowa City, the best way to navigate each festival venue is on foot once you reach downtown. Some on the outskirts can require the use of public transportation, but most don’t. Wear the most comfortable footwear you own and spend some time meandering the city streets at your leisure.

Iowa hasn’t quite seen the last of wintry weather, for April still brings with it a chill that’s hard to shake. While you might be desperate to pull your summery attire out of hibernation, Iowa City is not quite ready. Pack your suitcase with warm winter layers, spring coats, and long pants. Sturdy, waterproof footwear may also prove convenient, as will warm blankets for those chilly nights.

Each venue will have a different set of rules regarding what you can and can’t bring, and these rules can vary depending on whether it’s a concert, fair, reading, or similar. Adopt a “less is best” approach for all venues, where you only bring what you need – and no more. Often, your wallet with ID, ticket, cash, and a mobile phone are the basics that can see you through many events. You can leave your camping and cooking equipment in your locked RV, where it’s safe and secure.

April brings with it some bitterly cold temperatures, even if the sun is beginning to break through the watery spring clouds. Don’t underestimate the importance of warmer layers, but don’t forget to drink plenty of water to remain hydrated as well. Carry prescription medication with you that you might need, and load your RV with a first-aid kit before you hit the road. Iowa City has plenty of stores for you to stock up on any other health and safety supplies you might need.

If all that literature and music has made you work up a hunger and thirst, then it’s time to cook up a storm! Pick up supplies at one of the many convenience or grocery stores in Iowa City, then make use of your onboard kitchen appliances. Some of the best places for RV camping also offer communal kitchens and allow the use of fire pits. Ask before you light, and indulge in camp-style chili, hot dogs, stews, and more.

If you don’t feel like cooking, then you don’t have to in this eclectic community. Not only can you pick up a bite to eat at many of the venues within the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City, but even on the streets surrounding them. Everything from café cuisine to cocktails, hot dogs to hamburgers are available in Downtown Iowa City. On-the-go food is a big hit in this city due to it being considered a college town.

Some venues may cater to the events scheduled in the Mission Creek Festival program. However, many do not. Carry cash to pick up a light snack as you head from one festival venue to the next. You may find that concerts and similar have a no-food policy, so make sure your belly is full and your hands are empty before entering some venues.