Top RV Parks & Campgrounds in Iowa

Find the perfect RV rental in Iowa. Simple, easy and fully insured.

Discover Top RV Parks & Campgrounds in Iowa


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.

Tailwater East Campground, IA

Overview

The Tailwater East Campground is located within the Dam Complex at the Coralville Lake Project. The Coralville Lake Project is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, lake and river fishing, swimming, water skiing, picnicking and hunting.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for camping, boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Several trails are within the Dam Complex, including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk and barrier-free Veterans Trail. The Devonian Fossil Gorge is just below the dam, …
Read more about Tailwater East Campground, IA

Location info

Prairie Du Chien Road Northeast, Iowa City, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Wildlife viewing, Boating, Fishing, Biking

Acorn Valley Campground, IA

Overview

Acorn Valley Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.

The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including camping, bicycling, boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting. 

Recreation

Anglers enjoy the lake for its abundance of walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike.

The paved Neal Smith Trail winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake. It is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating.

Facilities

The campground offers 29 family sites with electric hookups and 54 primitive walk-to tent …
Read more about Acorn Valley Campground, IA

Location info

Corydon Drive, Johnston, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Wildlife viewing, Hunting, Boating, Fishing, Swimming site, Biking, Water sports, Interpretive programs

Whitebreast Camp, IA

Overview

Whitebreast Camp is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.


For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here:
Lake Red Rock - Virtual Tour 

Recreation

Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, walleye, largemouth and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, northern …
Read more about Whitebreast Camp, IA

Location info

Highway S71, Knoxville, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Visitor center, Wildlife viewing, Boating, Fishing, Swimming site, Biking, Day use area

Bob Shetler Recreation Area, IA

Overview

Bob Shetler Recreation Area is located in the tailwater area below the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.

The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy Saylorville Lake for its excellent boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike. The paved Neal Smith Trail winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake. It is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating.

Facilities …

Read more about Bob Shetler Recreation Area, IA

Location info

Unnamed Road, Johnston, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Boating, Fishing, Swimming site, Biking, Water sports

Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake), IA

Overview

Bridgeview Park is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just 13 miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking are popular activities at this waterfront recreation area.

Recreation

The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler. Crappie, channel catfish, walleye and largemouth bass are most common.

Whether power boating or sailing, Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, has something to offer everyone. In particular, the water's prevailing winds make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.

Facilities

This large campground offers 106 family sites, 95 of which have electric hookups. A day-use group picnic shelter for up to 24 people is also available. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, …
Read more about Bridgeview (Rathbun Lake), IA

Location info

County Highway S70, Melrose, IA

Amenities

Water access, Camping, Hiking, Picnicking, Information site, Wildlife viewing, Boating, Fishing, Biking, Sailing, Day use area, Ice climbing, Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing

Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground, IA

Overview

Buck Creek Campground is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just 9 miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking are popular activities at this lakefront campground.

Recreation

The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler. Crappie, channel catfish, walleye, and largemouth bass are most common.

Although power boating is also popular, the prevailing winds on Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.

Facilities

This campground offers 42 sites with electric hookups. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water, a dump station, boat ramp and playground. A marina and bait shop are located nearby.

Natural Features

Rathbun Lake is situated in …
Read more about Buck Creek (Rathbun Lake) Campground, IA

Location info

Highway J5T, Moravia, IA

Amenities

Water access, Camping, Hiking, Picnicking, Wildlife viewing, Fish hatchery, Fishing, Biking, Sailing, Day use area, Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing

Cherry Glen Campground, IA

Overview

Cherry Glen Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.

The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy Saylorville Lake for its excellent boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike.

The paved Neal Smith Trail winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake. It is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating.

Facilities

This large campground offers 125 …
Read more about Cherry Glen Campground, IA

Location info

Northwest 94th Avenue, Polk City, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Wildlife viewing, Hunting, Boating, Fishing, Swimming site, Biking, Water sports, Interpretive programs

Howell Station Campground, IA

Overview

Howell Station Campground sits just below the Red Rock Dam and Lake on the north side of the Des Moines River. Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake, located just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.


For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here:
Lake Red Rock Website 


For a virtual tour of the area, click here:
Lake Red Rock - Virtual Tour 

Recreation

Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along …
Read more about Howell Station Campground, IA

Location info

Volksweg Trail, Knoxville, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Visitor center, Wildlife viewing, Boating, Fishing, Biking, Day use area

Island View (Rathbun Lake), IA

Overview

Island View Park is located on beautiful Rathbun Lake, just nine miles northwest of Centerville, Iowa and 8 miles southwest of Moravia.

Recreation

The 11,000-acre lake provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler: Crappie, channel catfish, walleye and largemouth bass are most common.

The prevailing winds on Rathbun Lake, also known as Iowa's Ocean, make it one of the best sailing lakes in Iowa.

Facilities

This large campground offers 187 family sites and one group site, all with electric hookups. Three group picnic sites are also available.

Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. A boat ramp, dock, marina, playgrounds, and horseshoe pit are all on-site.

Natural Features

Rathbun Lake is …
Read more about Island View (Rathbun Lake), IA

Location info

Islandview Place, Mystic, IA

Amenities

Water access, Camping, Hiking, Picnicking, Information site, Wildlife viewing, Fish hatchery, Boating, Fishing, Swimming site, Biking, Sailing, Day use area, Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing

North Overlook Camp, IA

Overview

North Overlook Campground is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.


For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here:
Lake Red Rock - Virtual Tour 

Recreation

Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, largemouth and striped bass, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, …
Read more about North Overlook Camp, IA

Location info

Highway T15, Pella, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Visitor center, Boating, Fishing, Swimming site, Biking, Day use area

Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake), IA

Overview

Prairie Ridge Park is located 6 miles, SW of the Jct of Iowa Highway 5 and J18 at Moravia. Awesome Sunsets- No Extra Charge! Rathbun's off-the-beaten path park offers unique opportunities for lover's of the outdoors. Nestled between Buck Creek and Honey Creek, the high ridge offers wonderful vistas of the lake while surrounded by Iowa's Natural and enhanced prairie life community, with woodland draws and timbered hillsides.

Recreation

Prairie Ridge Boat Ramp is protected on three sides and has been long popular with both motorized craft and a launching area for wind surfers and catamarans. A courtesy dock with fish cleaning station aid families on and off the water.

Facilities

Fifty-four family friendly, Large, campsites are available in …
Read more about Prairie Ridge (Rathbun Lake), IA

Location info

208th Avenue, Moravia, IA

Amenities

Water access, Camping, Hiking, Picnicking, Wildlife viewing, Boating, Fishing, Biking, Sailing, Day use area, Swimming, Kayaking, Canoeing

Prairie Flower Recreation Area, IA

Overview

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley.

The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy Saylorville Lake for its excellent boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike.

The paved Neal Smith Trail winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake. It is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating.

Facilities

Prairie Flower is a …
Read more about Prairie Flower Recreation Area, IA

Location info

Northwest Lake Drive, Polk City, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Hunting, Boating, Fishing, Swimming site, Biking, Water sports

Shady Creek Campground, IA

Overview

Shady Creek Campground is a 22-acre park where campers enjoy getaways on the banks of the Mississippi River. A nature trail, shore fishing and fantastic bird watching are offered at Shady Creek.

Recreation

The Mississippi River draws many anglers annually. The most popular fish species is the channel catfish; bluegill, walleye and northern pike are also found in the river.

Picnicking and playing horseshoes is a popular activity in the park.

Facilities

The park's campsites contain 50-amp electric hookups, campfire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets and showers are provided. A boat ramp and playground are on-site.

Natural Features

The park has spectacular views of the Mississippi River. Many trees throughout the campground provide great places to lounge in …
Read more about Shady Creek Campground, IA

Location info

Iowa 22, Muscatine, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Boating, Fishing, Day use area

Sugar Bottom Campground, IA

Overview

The Sugar Bottom Campground is located on the shores of Coralville Lake. The Coralville Lake Project is a multipule use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, lake and river fishing, swimming, water activities, picnicking, and hunting.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities in Sugar Bottom. Several trails are within Sugar Bottom, including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail, and a barrier-free asphalt …
Read more about Sugar Bottom Campground, IA

Location info

Unnamed Road, Solon, IA

Amenities

Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Biking

Wallashuck Campground, IA

Overview

Wallashuck Campground is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.


For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here:
Lake Red Rock Website 


For a virtual tour of Lake Red Rock, click here:
Lake Red Rock - Virtual Tour 

Recreation

Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, largemouth and striped bass,walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern …
Read more about Wallashuck Campground, IA

Location info

190th Avenue, Pella, IA

Amenities

Camping, Hiking, Visitor center, Boating, Fishing, Biking

West Overlook Campground, IA

Overview

The West Overlook Campground is located within the Dam Complex at the Coralville Lake Project. The Coralville Lake Project is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, lake and river fishing, swimming, water skiing, picnicking and hunting.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for camping, boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Several trails are within the Dam Complex, including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk and barrier-free Veterans Trail.The Devonian Fossil Gorge is just below the dam, offering …
Read more about West Overlook Campground, IA

Location info

West Overlook Road Northeast, Iowa City, IA

Amenities

Water access, Camping, Hiking, Wildlife viewing, Boating, Fishing, Biking, Swimming, Water activities

Location info

Fillmore Drive, Otley, IA

Amenities

Playground park specialized sport site, Camping, Hiking, Picnicking

Location info

146th Avenue, Knoxville, IA

Amenities

Camping, Boating, Horseback riding, Water sports, Playground park specialized sport site

Location info

Fillmore Drive, Otley, IA

Amenities

Playground park specialized sport site, Camping

Ivans Campground, IA

Overview

Ivans sits just below the Red Rock Dam and Lake on the south side of the Des Moines River, across the river from Howell Station Campground. Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake, located just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.

For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here:
Lake Red Rock - Virtual Tour

Recreation

Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing, wakeboarding and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for …

Read more about Ivans Campground, IA

Location info

Amenities

Water access, Camping, Hiking, Picnicking, Biking, Birding