Sprawling between the Missouri, Mississippi, and Big Sioux rivers, Iowa is a landscape of rolling plains and yellow-tinged cornfields. It shares its borders with six states - Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota - while centering around the capital, Des Moines.
After being part of French Louisiana and Spanish Louisiana, Iowa established an agriculture-based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt. Its landscape is dominated by tallgrass prairie and large swathes of savannah while being dotted with picture-perfect lakes.
More than 80 state parks and recreation areas are found throughout the state, making it a popular choice for RVers wanting to get out and explore. Rent an RV in Iowa to take advantage of its enviable summertime temperatures, with the mercury hovering around 90°F before dropping well below freezing in the wintertime.
RV Camping in Iowa
If you’re visiting Des Moines, you can camp at the Iowa State Fair Campgrounds to the east of the city or the Adventureland Campground farther north. Both offer full hookup sites while being just a stone’s throw from the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol, the Des Moines Art Center, and the State Historical Museum of Iowa. These Iowa RV parks are particularly popular during the Iowa State Fair, which takes place each August.
Drive west towards the border of Nebraska, and you’ll arrive at the On-Ur-Wa RV Park, which offers full hookup, big rig-friendly sites, and free wireless internet. It’s a convenient base for exploring the Lewis and Clark State Park, the Middle Decatur Bend State Wildlife Area, and the Onawa Materials Yard Wildlife Area along the banks of the Missouri River.
If you head north from Des Moines, you can overnight in Ledges State Park, which is renowned for its iconic stone bridge and picturesque hiking trails. This large, shaded Iowa RV campground offers both electric and non-electric sites where you can park your rig. You’ll find a similar setup in Iowa’s first state park, Backbone State Park, which features two campgrounds in the far northeast. Not far away is the Miller Riverview Park in the city of Dubuque, with its electric hookup sites offering a good base for visiting the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium and the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
In the east of Iowa lies Iowa City, which is a UNESCO-designated “City of Literature.” It’s a popular destination for writing workshops and book festivals while being home to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. There are several RV parks near Iowa City where you can overnight, including the Tailwater West Campground and the Funcrest RV Park.
If you drive west, you’ll arrive at the Sleepy Hollow RV Park & Campground in pretty Oxford, where you can while away your days fishing, birdwatching, or relaxing by the swimming pool. Not far away is the Amana Colonies RV Park, a full hookup Iowa RV park that’s located in the heart of the historic Amana Colonies.
If you want to visit Waubonsie State Park in Iowa’s far southwest, you can book one of its family or equestrian-friendly RV sites. It’s located on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and is just a short drive from the city of Hamburg.
Enjoy rugged state parks and cultural cities when you book a camper rental in Iowa. Start planning your adventure to the Hawkeye State today.
