State Parks near Burlington, IA

With peaceful hiking trails, abundant native wildlife, and wonderful views of the Mississippi, Bellevue State Park is one of eastern Iowa's best camping destinations. Located just to the south of Bellevue, this 788-acre park actually comprises two separate areas.

The first area is the Nelson Unit, which is found just to the south of Bellevue. Home to a nature center, butterfly sanctuary, and hunting area, it offers plenty to entertain and excite visitors.

The second area of the park, the Dyas Unit, lies a couple of miles further south. It offers excellent hiking trails, beautiful river views, and a modern campground, so it's a wonderful spot to explore in a rental RV.

If you're planning to camp with an RV …

Big River State Forest is a multi-use outdoor recreational area near Oquawka that is used for timber resource education and supply. The forest was first established in 1925, although land acquisitions since then have increased its size substantially. In the past, there were stands of hardwood trees, but these have been cultivated and replaced with the much quicker growing pine species; part of the reason for this was to demonstrate how pine trees are much more commercially successful. As a result, many nearby landowners have followed suit and created pine tree farms that have achieved similar results.

The forest's headquarters area is home to a fire tower, a prominent landmark in the area, and an operational structure during peak fire …

Whether you are coming for a few days or a few hours, a visit to Cuivre River State Park will certainly not disappoint. As one of the most rugged state parks in Missouri, is it packed with potential for outdoor adventure and is easily accessible near the towns of Troy and Winfield, and the city of St. Louis just a short drive away. Lake Lincoln offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, while the hiking trails take you through fields of wildflowers in fall, and towering prairie grasses in the fall.

The park contains three natural areas that are noted for their high-quality ecosystems, and Big Sugar Creek, which winds its way through the woodland, is one of the …

Located in central Iowa on the southern shore of Lake Red Rock is Elk Rock State Park. With 50,000 acres of forested hills right next to Iowa’s largest lake, Elk Rock State Park offers the best opportunities to fish and boat in the state. The park’s namesake "elk rock" is located in the southern region of the park. The name of the lake derives from the red rock found in the area.

Some nearby parks open for exploring include Stephen’s State Forest, Lake Ahquabi State Park, and Whitebreast Park. There's also Cordova Park, which is located directly across Red Rock Lake. Nearby are several towns, and Des Moines, the capital city of Iowa, is just under an hour's …

Iowa is packed with scenic state parks. In southeastern Iowa, you’ll find a unique gem of a park. Geode State Park is located 20 minutes west of Burlington, 25 minutes south of Mount Pleasant, and a stone’s throw north of West Point. This 1,640-acre park attracts hikers, water enthusiasts, and wildlife viewers from all over.

In 1937, Geode State Park became part of the Iowa State Park system. The area had always been a beautiful picnicking spot for locals. Then, after a group of citizens raised some money and purchased the land, they donated it to the state park system. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the park to be what it is today. It took 14 …

Green River State Park near Harmon has 2,565 acres of untouched natural beauty for campers and outdoor adventurers to explore. Don't worry if you don't own a camper — search for an RV rental in Lee County, then plan a getaway to the state park RV campground.

Chicago sits only about two and a half hours to the east of Green River State Park. Drive over to Amboy and stock up on supplies before setting up camp at Green River State Park. Amboy is about 20 minutes northeast of the park and a great place to pick up a few last-minute essentials for your rental RV.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, located near West Branch, is a monument to one of the most renowned American presidents to hold the office. The monument is located near the center of West Branch, the small town where Hoover spent his early childhood until being orphaned at the young age of 9. Hoover left the town soon after and would not return until his retirement when he chose to celebrate his many accomplishments in his place of birth. There are a large number of attractions for you to see, including his simple birthplace cottage and his burial site, marked with a Vermont white marble headstone.

Camping with an RV near Herbert Hoover National Historic Site is your best bet …

Chariton River Valley is a sprawling landscape of green hills along the southeastern portion of Iowa. If you’re looking for an open grassland with a few trees scattered around for good measure at which to do some RV camping, Island View Park is the place for you. Just 20 minutes north of Centerville, 30 minutes south of Albia, and 45 minutes from Ottumwa, this lovely park is located on Rathbun Lake. Due to the lake's enormous size, it draws big winds, which makes it one of the best places in Iowa for sailing.

The biggest draw to Island View Park is, very clearly, Rathbun Lake, which measures 11,000 acres. Island View has a marina, a boat dock, …

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park enjoys a picturesque setting on the Des Moines River and is a fantastic place to reconnect with nature. With a footprint of more than 1,650 acres, it's the largest state park in Iowa and features a diverse landscape of rolling hills, rugged bluffs, and lush valleys. The park has been welcoming visitors since the 1920s and offers excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, hiking, and camping. History buffs love the park's connection to the Mormon Trail, the area's Woodland Culture tribes, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

Planning a Midwest road trip? Book an RV in Van Buren County and you can sleep under the stars in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park. With the freedom of a home on …

If you're searching for somewhere to enjoy a quintessential Iowa camping experience, look no further than Lake Darling State Park. Located five miles east of Richland in the state's southeast, this 1,417-acre park is a haven for watersports and outdoor enthusiasts.

Lake Darling itself covers 302 acres, so campers can enjoy excellent swimming, boating, and fishing in the park. Several miles of hiking trails make Lake Darling a favorite with hikers. A modern campground is also available on-site, so there are plenty of good reasons why Lake Darling State Park should be the venue for your next RV camping vacation.

Lake Keomah State Park is a 366-acre wilderness in the heart of South Central Iowa. The park was dedicated in 1934 and quickly emerged as one of the most popular outdoor recreation destinations in Mahaska County. At the center of the park, Keomah provides a scenic backdrop for swimming, boating, and fishing. History buffs will love checking out the buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), many of which are still in use.

Planning a Midwest road trip? Book an RV in Mahaska County and you can sleep under the stars at Lake Keomah State Park. You'll find a huge selection of campervan rentals for every occasion, ranging from petite trailers to family-sized rigs. With a home on wheels, …

One of the best ways to explore eastern central Iowa is to search for an RV in Johnson County, which encompasses Iowa City, just south of Cedar Rapids. In this county is Lake Macbride State Park, is a top tier camping location when you are renting an RV to check out the area. This state park was opened to the public in June of 1937 after the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce was able to raise funds to create it.

Construction on the park began in the 1930s after Thomas Macbride, for whom the park is named, spoke to members of the Iowa Academy of Science on the importance to establish a statewide system of parks. After …

The Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, IL, preserves the home of Abraham Lincoln and his wife; the property was built in 1839. It followed the Greek Revival form of architecture and was opened to the public for viewing in 1887. The Lincolns lived here for 17 years before finally moving out in 1861.

Book an RV rental in Springfield, and you can tour this historically significant site; the tour groups are led by rangers who offer insight into Lincoln's personal life, his public life as a renowned lawyer and politician, and specifically about his 1860 presidential campaign. The tours explore both the interior and exterior of the house, including the kitchen, backyard, and outbuildings. RV camping near …

In the northeastern tip of Iowa, Maquoketa Caves State Park is an adventure lover's paradise. Surrounded by lush flora and fauna, mysterious caves lay waiting to be explored at every turn, and winding boardwalks lead through forests of warm pine trees. After walking through the rugged terrain of this magical park, you just might find yourself wondering if you're in a fairytale.

Located in the city of Maquoketa, the park has been the site of many Native American artifacts ranging from pottery to arrowheads. When the land was first purchased in 1921, a vision was born for the park to be shared with the community. This led to a major transformation of the park by the Civilian Conservation Corps and …

Rent a camper near Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area, and you can enjoy some of Illinois' best outdoor scenery. This picturesque refuge is centered around the Illinois River and includes the bottomlands and bluffs that line the riverbanks. The park is close to the city of Lacon and is part of the Mallard Flyway used by migrating bird species. The bluffs are lined with hardwood trees such as oak, hickory and walnut, shrubs, and wildflowers lightly decorating the ground. The riverbanks are populated with vegetation that thrives in moist areas such as cottonwood trees as well as silver maple and willow.

The area is dotted with sloughs and lakes that were created by a substantial buildup of silt from …

Set in the forested terrain of northwestern Illinois, Matthiessen State Park is a fascinating display of unique rock formations, canyons, streams, and untamed beauty. Formerly the property of its namesake, Frederick William Matthiessen, the land once served as a private park under his diligent care. At that time, the park was 176 acres and was mostly made up of a single canyon. This is quite a contrast to the 1,983 acres of land that Utica campers can hike, mountain bike, stroll along, and picnic in today.

Although there's no lack of things to do at Matthiessen State Park, LaSalle County is also filled with exciting new places to explore. Just a few miles away from Utica is the striking town …

If being in the outdoors is what gets your adrenaline pumping, then a camping trip to Mississippi Palisades State Park is something worth considering. Located in the northwestern part of scenic Illinois, the park is known for its unique rock formations and steep cliffs. Just north of the town of Savanna, you can also check out the towns of Freeport and Sterling that are a little over 45 miles from the state park.

This 2500-acre state park stands right by the confluence of the Mississippi and Apple Rivers, making it one of the most scenic state parks in the area with its ravines, caves, and cliffs adding to the natural drama. Abounding in wildlife as well, there is truly …

Deriving the name Nauvoo from a Hebrew word meaning, “beautiful place,” this little West Central Illinois gem truly lives up to its name. The park is located in Nauvoo, one of Illinois’ largest cities. Nearby cities include the deeply historic Carthage and rural Hamilton. Have fun exploring nearby museums, historical sites, and more, without having to drive very far, as each town is under a half-hour drive from the park.

Nauvoo campers can benefit from boating, hiking, fishing, and family picnicking all within the lovely park perimeters. With the park featuring the sparkling 13-acre Horton Lake, it's only fitting that the lake brims with a variety of aquatic vertebrates such as rainbow trout, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. …