With unforgettable views of bluffs and rivers, moss and columbine, as well as beautiful wildlife, Wapsipinicon State Park is an amazing park for RV vacations. Located south of Anamosa, on the Wapsipinicon River, this park, which was one of the first state parks in Iowa, is a great place to visit on RV camping trips. Campers are treated to wonderful hikes on multi-use trails through a multitude of flowers, trees and wildlife, and picturesque views from the bluff. On a walk through the park, you may see a deer drinking at the river bank, a beaver constructing a dam, or a wild turkey strutting through the forest.
Activities to enjoy while on RV holiday at Wapsipinicon State Park include bird watching, boating, canoeing, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, hunting, running/jogging, picnicking, snowmobiling, and golfing. Amenities at the park include showers and restrooms, nine-hole golf course, picnic areas, boat ramp, day-use lodge, and picnic shelters.
The 394-acre park was dedicated in 1923 and features a pet-friendly shaded campground with electric, water, and sewer hookups for RVs. Advanced reservation can be made for the campground; however, one-fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The park has a three-span bowstring arch bridge listed in the National Registry of Historical Places and is the last one in Iowa. The bridge has a unique history laid out on an information kiosk in the west side parking area in the park.
Wapsipinicon State Park, located to the south of Anamosa, just across the Wapsipinicon River on County Road E-34, Iowa, is easy to access by RVs, trailers, and cars. Finding your way around the park is easy because the campsites and various areas in the park are connected by local roads. There are no driving restrictions within the park.
There are three parking areas for RVs, trailers, and other vehicles in Wapsipinicon State Park. These parking lots are located along the way to the campsites, hence there are no problems of parking your rig when you’re on RV vacation at the park. Also, overnight parking is available in the park.
There are no public transportation facilities available at Wapsipinicon State Park.
Wapsipinicon Campground in Wapsipinicon State Park features 22 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. The campground has one standard full hookup campsite, 13 standard electric campsites, and eight non-standard campsites. Electric, water, and sewer hookups are available for RVs at the campground. RV length limit at the campground is 60 feet. Amenities at the campground include restrooms and showers, picnic areas, points of interest, playgrounds, parking lots, and easy access to the golf course. Amenities within one mile of the campground include ATM/Cash Machine, firewood sales, fuel, vehicles, grocery store, museum, retail, bait & tackle, retail, drinks, ice, retail, and snacks. Most of the campsites in the campground are reservable, while six are on first-come first-served basis.
RV campers at Wapsipinicon State Park have about three and a half miles of trails awash with scenery and challenges for hiking. These trails take hikers from wooded canopy areas to wide open grass prairies that offer great wildlife sights and views. Along the trails, campers are allowed to harvest nuts, mushrooms, and berries. These trails lead to Dutch Creek, Ice Cave, Horse Thief Cave, as well as the recreation areas in the park. Besides, these trails, which vary in difficulty from easy to strenuous, pass through rocky staircases.
The 130-mile Northeast State Park Bike Route connects Wapsipinicon State Park, Pikes Peak State Park and Backbone State Park utilizing county highways, offering bikers awesome opportunities to ride for fun.
Picnicking at Wapsipinicon State Park is a first-class experience for all RV campers, especially for those on family holiday. The park has two open picnic areas that feature playground and restrooms, and overlooking Dutch Creek that connect to the Wapsipinicon River. This gives lovers of outdoor recreational activities various opportunities to have fun while at the park. In addition, there are two lodges in the park for group events, equipped with microwave, refrigerator, running water, tables, and stove.
Fishing at Wapsipinicon River is well loved activity by campers and visitors on RV holiday at the park. The river is well known for fish species such as channel catfish, flathead catfish, bullheads, and smallmouth bass. These fishes are most abundant below the dam near the entrance to the park. At the mouth of the Dutch Creek which empties into the Wapsipinicon River, anglers love to bring their fishing A-game. Moreover, fish species such as walleye and northern have a feeding area in the river where anglers enjoy the fishing challenge.
Wapsipinicon State Park features a nine-hole golf course within its boundaries for golfers and lovers of the sport to enjoy the sport activity while camping at or visiting the park. As a result, you shouldn’t forget your golf clubs as you drive to the park in your RV for vacation. The golf course is maintained by the Wapsipinicon Country Club.
The trails at Wapsipinicon State Park offer RV campers cross-country skiing and snowmobiling opportunities in winter. These trails are open to use for all, so you don’t want to forget your skiing gadgets and snowmobiles on your visit to the park in winter, because the fun you’ll have on the trails is nothing short of memorable.
Hunting is allowed in season in an area adjacent to Wapsipinicon State Park acquired in 1990. The 140-acre hunting area is bordered by the Wapsipinicon River and features two ponds, brushy valleys, grassy slopes, picturesque vistas, and offers RV campers other recreational opportunities such as hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
