Wapsipinicon Campground

For an easy immersion into nature, you can stroll just outside of the campground and straight into the Wapsipinicon State Park in Anamosa. There are a few hiking trails leading through the forest along the Wapsi River and toward the unique limestone bluffs and formations, so there’s plenty of exploring to partake in at this little gem. For something truly unusual in Iowa, you can visit the caves. The Horse Thief Cave is rumored to have been the hiding spot of several historic horse thieves in the area, and the Ice Cave is known for its peculiarly chilling air. If you feel like taking in the fresh air in a slightly different way, you can enjoy a game of golf on the park’s nine-hole course. A short drive northwest of the RV campground is the Matsell Bridge Natural Area near Springville, Iowa. Just shy of 2,000 acres, Matsell Bridge encompasses several different Iowan habitats and ecosystems all within one park. You can enjoy a leisurely hike through the various sections of the park or secure a canoe or kayak and head down the Wapsi River. Another positive of the river is the abundance of fish, such as catfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye, just waiting for an angler to test their luck. If you’re traveling to Iowa in the winter, you can still enjoy the 12.5 miles of hiking trails because they transform into cross-country skiing trails when the snow starts to fly. With some gently rolling hills and Wapsi River views, the Pinicon Ridge Park in Central City gives you a real sense of the variety of Iowa. You can climb to the top of the observation tower and, on a clear day, can see for miles around. If you’re traveling in the summer, you can rent a boat from the on-site boathouse and enjoy the scenic views of the Wapsi from a different perspective.