State Parks near Council Bluffs, IA

A pretty park that sits right on the shores of Black Hawk Lake, Black Hawk State Park is one of northwestern Iowa’s best camping destinations. Located in the town of Lake View, this small but popular park is known for its excellent fishing, boating, and swimming.Even better, Black Hawk State Park also boasts a large campground with plenty of room for your motorhome rental. And with disc golf, a large playground, and a number of other facilities on offer, it’s an excellent spot for a family camping getaway.

Dolliver Memorial State Park in Otho offers a relaxing and fun experience for hikers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The 594-acre park also makes an excellent base camp for those looking to explore the cities in the surrounding area. Fort Dodge is only about 20 minutes to the north of the park. Des Moines, the state capital, is under an hour and a half to the south of the park and is a great city for tourists to visit full of educational and entertaining activities.Lehigh is only five minutes from the park and a great place to stock up on camping supplies before parking your RV at Dolliver Memorial State Park. You don't have to own a motorhome …

If your RV camping trip takes you to the Midwest, consider traveling through Iowa. Southwest Iowa is rich with grasslands and wide-open spaces. Green Valley State Park is located 35 minutes north of Lenox, 50 minutes west of Osceola, and 30 minutes south of Casey.Built around Green Valley Lake, Green Valley State Park has become a go-to place for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy water activities. The entire lake fits inside the boundaries of the park, so Green Valley State Park campers have full access to the water. Anglers love the lake as it’s one of four major fishing lakes in the region.Green Valley State Park is the place you go when you want to get …

The Homestead National Monument of America, near the town of Beatrice, Nebraska, is a symbol of America's race to cultivate and develop its untamed frontier and how many people were granted land titles as a result. The race was made official by the passing of the Homestead Act of 1862, allowing any person over the age of 21 to apply for a land grant. This included freed slaves, women, immigrants, and anyone else who desired to accept the challenge. The movement was supported by President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the bill into law for another reason; in addition to expanding agriculture, commerce, and industry, he saw the bill as a chance to populate the west with Union supporters.Today …

Located in the southeast part of Nebraska, Indian Cave State Park is named after a sandstone cave filled with prehistoric petroglyphs. This state park is close to Auburn and an hour and a half away from Lincoln. Nature here is simply breathtaking, with cottonwood, elm, and willow trees growing next to the Missouri River. Indian Cave State Park is stunning in fall when the leaves start changing colors.The cave is the main attraction within Indian Cave State Park. It features petroglyphs that tell a story of the Native Americans who lived in this part of the Midwest. Those of you who wish to explore the great outdoors will have plenty of things to do here, such as hiking, …

Camping with an RV is a great way to reconnect with your family and make memories that will last a lifetime. Lake Ahquabi State Park, near Indianola, Iowa has fun activities for all ages to enjoy. Don't worry if you don't own a motorhome — book an RV in Warren County and spend some time exploring Iowa. One of the biggest draws of Lake Ahquabi State Park is the 115-acre reservoir where visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming.You can camp with your RV at Lake Ahquabi State Park and then head to Des Moines, less than 45 minutes to the north, for shopping and sightseeing. Spend an afternoon in Pleasantville wandering through quaint shops and stocking up …

Spending your vacation camping in an RV is a great way to see the natural beauty of the United States. One such beautiful park is Lake Anita State Park, located south of Anita, Iowa. This state park features a 171-acre reservoir that is fed by the Nishnabotna River. You don't need to own a rig to enjoy camping with an RV. Browse the RV rentals in Cass County and find a vehicle to suit your style.The biggest draw for visitors to Lake Anita State Park is the lake itself, where boating, swimming, and fishing are extremely popular. Stock up on your camping supplies and snacks in Massena, which is only about 15 minutes to the south of …

Lake Manawa State Park is a pristine oasis in the heart of the Omaha Metropolitan Area. The lake was formed by an oxbow in the Missouri River, which flooded in the late 1800s and created a 750-acre reservoir. Today, the park is one of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in the Midwest, with swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking just some of the activities on offer. The park draws its name from the Native American term meaning "peace and comfort," which you're guaranteed to find at Lake Manawa.Planning a getaway to the Hawkeye State? Book an RV in Pottawattamie County and you can spend the day soaking up the sunshine at Lake Manawa State Park. You'll find a fantastic …

In Taylor County, around ten minutes north of the town of Bedford, is a beautiful 85-acre lake within a 691-acre recreation area characterized by lush oak and hickory woodlands. Lake of Three Fires State Park beckons visitors from all over Iowa and Missouri with hiking and equestrian trails and two well-equipped campgrounds. You can expect to find both Hopkins and New Market campers relaxing here, as both of these towns are within 20 minutes of the state park.The Potawatomi tribe, also referred to as the “Fire Nation,” farmed, lived, and traveled through this part of Iowa. The legend goes that three of the region's indigenous tribes formed an alliance called “Three Fires”, and three flames were kept alive …

Humans have been drawn to the unique natural beauty of the area around Ledges State Park for thousands of years, and it remains a popular destination for Iowa campers to this day.Located just four miles south of Boone in central Iowa, Ledges State Park is famous for its deep canyon and towering bluffs that surround Pea's Creek. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of activities to enjoy here. Ledges not only offers excellent sightseeing, but it also features great fishing, canoeing, and hiking.If you're planning on camping in a rental RV, the park's large campground offers sites to suit a wide range of campers and easy access to area's best attractions. Keep reading to find out what to do …

On the westernmost edge of Iowa, just 95 miles south of Sioux City, ten miles east of Omaha, NE, and 28 miles west of Carson rests a historic little Iowan state park. Lewis and Clark State Park is only 176 acres, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in natural beauty. This park is nestled in the horseshoe crook of Blue Lake and provides a nice location for fishing and other water sports.In 1804, famed American explorers Meriwether Lewis and Captain Williams Clark landed in the place where the park now resides during their great expedition to discover the West.

Nine Eagles State Park is set in the rolling hills and sun-dappled woodlands of Decatur County. You'll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Midwest sunshine here, from swimming and boating in the lake to hiking woodland trails and relaxing at shady picnic spots. The fishing is excellent, with the chance to reel in bass, pike, bluegill, and other freshwater species.Planning a getaway to the Hawkeye State? Book an RV in Decatur County and you can enjoy a lakeside escape to Nine Eagles State Park. Venture further afield and you can discover Iowa jewels like the Effigy Mounds National Monument, where prehistoric sculptures recall the legacy of local Native American tribes.

Once upon a time, the land that's now Platte River State Park in southeast Nebraska was home to the Harriet Harding Campfire Girls Camp and Camp Esther K. Newman. Fast forward to today and you'll find a 519-acre camp brimming with spectacular activities and features such as the interactive spray park, Crawdad Creek, observation towers boasting panoramic views of the Platte River Basin, and miles of breathtaking hiking trails along the rolling terrain. Walk packed dirt roads along countryside dips filled with trickling streams and unique geological formations.Nearby cities include rural Weeping Water, a little over 12 miles away from Platte River State Park, and the scenic town of Plattsmouth, just over 19 miles away. Have fun …

Tucked in northeastern Nebraska, on the scenic banks of the Missouri River just two miles from the town of Ponca is one of the most mesmerizing recreation areas in the Cornhusker State. With its lush oak and elm woodlands and grassy hilltops, the park beckons mountaineers, bikers, and RV campers from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. To see the park's colorful wildflowers in bloom, the best time to visit is from May to June, when the ridgetop prairies and forests are filled with the aromas of yucca, prairie larkspur, shell-leaf penstemon, bloodroot, and blue phlox.The park and town are named after Ponca Chief Standing Bear, who also has a place in Nebraska’s hall of fame, as he triumphed in …

Set on a shimmering lake, Prairie Rose State Park is one of the top outdoor recreation destinations in Iowa. There are plenty of opportunities to soak up the Midwest sunshine, from swimming, boating, and fishing in the lake to hiking scenic trails and enjoying picnics on the grassy foreshore. A lakeside campground makes it easy to enjoy an extended getaway to Prairie Rose State Park.Planning an adventure in the Hawkeye State? Book an RV in Shelby County and you can make a splash at Prairie Rose State Park. You'll love combining the creature comforts of a motorhome with the novelty of sleeping under the stars. With a home on wheels, you'll also have the freedom to extend your trip …

Rent a motorhome and spend a weekend camping at Springbrook State Park, located near Guthrie Center, Iowa. The park was founded in 1926 and is one of the oldest state parks in Iowa. One of the draws of this park is the 17-acre spring-fed lake where visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing. You can book an RV in Guthrie County if you don't have your own rig.The 930-acre park is only about 20 minutes southeast of Coon Rapids. If you're driving in from the south, stop in at Panora, only 15 minutes from Springbrook State Park. You can shop for camping supplies, souvenirs, and even get a bite to eat before parking your RV rental …