Iowa RV & Camping: Time, Dates & Rules (With Examples)

When you choose to camp in Iowa, you can look forward to visiting the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the Blank Park Zoo, the Pikes Peak State Park, and the Lost Island Waterpark.

Whether you are a solo traveler or planning a trip with friends and family, Iowa certainly has something for everyone.

If you are ready to explore everything Iowa has to offer in your motorhome or tent, you need first to establish where you will stay while vacationing:

2 Iowa Camprounds With Times, Dates, And Rules

Iowa is one of the more affordable camping destinations that also provides travelers with numerous local attractions and action-packed activities.

You will have no issue finding various campground options.

We’ve chosen two campgrounds that we think you will like!

1. Sleepy Hollow RV Park And Campground

Situated in eastern Iowa is the family-friendly Sleepy Hollow RV Park and Campground.

Unlike other RV parks and campgrounds in the area, Sleepy Hollow focuses on providing campers with children with many fun-filled activities. Every Saturday during the peak season, this campground has child-focused themed activities such as hayrides, horseshoe tournaments, and crafts to keep children entertained for hours, allowing parents some free time.

At the Sleepy Hollow RV Park and Campground, 105 sites comprise both tent and motorhome campsites, with motorhome sites having full-service hookups. There is free WiFi throughout the campground, and some of the sites are located near the on-site lake, while others are nestled amongst a tree-covered hill.

This campground could be ideal if you want to be close to the city and nearby attractions while still in a tranquil environment. The Sleepy Hollow RV Park and Campground are only 15 miles away from Iowa City and are near popular fishing and boating hotspot Lake MacBride.

Campers can also visit the nearby Kalona Amish Community, the Coralville Reservoir, and the Amana Colonies.

Some of the on-site activities campers can look forward to at this campground include fishing in the catch and release pond, swimming in the swim beach or swimming pool, and games and movies in the arcade room.

Times:

At this campground, check-in is at 2 pm, and check-out is at 12 noon.

Dates:

The Sleepy Hollow  RV Park And Campground are open throughout the year.

Rules:

• Only two dogs are allowed per campsite unless prior permission is granted for more.
• Campers are not allowed to bring in any fireworks.
• Pets are not allowed if campers are camping in a tent.
• The speed limit throughout this campground is 10 miles per hour.
• Parking is not allowed at empty sites, and no ATVs or dirt bikes are allowed.

2. Crossroads RV Park

If you’re seeking an affordable RV park in Iowa that is family-friendly, equipped with modern amenities, and is affordable, you may want to take a closer look at the Crossroads RV Park.

This park has a friendly atmosphere and is known for providing quality service. At this park, you can expect to pay approximately $40 per night for an RV site with a weekly rate of around $195 and an estimated monthly rate of $520.

The Crossroads RV park has 34 full-service RV sites equipped with both 30and 50 amp electrical connections. The park’s rates per night include cable television, wireless internet, water, sewer, and electrical connections and cover two adults and two children.

If you want to leave the park and visit the surrounding areas, you will be pleased to learn that various restaurants and local attractions keep you occupied. For example, campers can visit the City of Mt. Pleasent, Harvestville Farms, the Iris Bowling Center, the Main Street Cinemas, and the East lake Park.

In addition to being close to nearby activities, the park itself has many things for campers to do. There are board games, a geocache on site, a playground, a book exchange, a corn hole, and a meeting room.

Times:

At this park, check-out is at 11 am.

Dates:

The Crossroads RV park is open year-round.

Rules:

• Guests are not allowed to drive through unoccupied campsites, nor are they allowed to park in them.
• Only on motorhome per campsie is permitted.
• No refunds or rain checks are allowed.
• No camper is allowed to hang up laundry in public view.
• Guests are not allowed to dispose of cigarette butts in firepits.

Can You Go RVing In Iowa Outside These Dates?

Out of the examples we provided of campgrounds available in Iowa above, both are open all year round, with one also having seasonal sites.

Yet, if neither of the options appealed to you, but you want to spend time at a campground that is open all year, you might like the options we list.

There are several reasons why people prefer year-round campgrounds. For example, if you choose a year-round campground in Iowa, you will be able to camp when the park or resort is less busy.

This will allow you to explore the region where you are staying without contending with busy crowds, overpriced wares, and fully booked establishments.

Additionally, choosing to camp at a year-round campground, not in peak season, will guarantee you lower rates, meaning you will have more money to explore the city, participate in tours and visit local attractions.

Without further ado, have a look below for the best Iowa campgrounds that are open throughout the year:

• Lakeshore RV Resort And Campground.
• Ambrose A Call State Park.
• Whispering Oaks RV Park.
• Preparation Canyon State Park.
• Happy Times Resort.

In Iowa, Where Can You Camp For Free?

Contrary to popular belief, Iowa does not have any national forests or Bureau of land Management presence, which means there are limited free camping opportunities.

In fact, Iowa is one of the states with the least available free campground options in America. Yet, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find a few hidden gems.

Below are a few of the best free campground options in Iowa if you don’t have the budget to pay for accommodation or are only planning on visiting the state for a day or two:

• Eagle Lake State Game Management Area.
• Eldon Wildlife Management Area.
• Jones Creek Pond Campground.
• David Bates Memorial Park.

In Iowa, Can You Camp On Public Hunting Land?

In Iowa, there are approximately 390,000 acres of public hunting land that is available for recreational use.

This means that camping is allowed on public hunting lands in the state. However, only primitive camping is permitted at most designated sites, and campers are only allowed to camp for a maximum of 14 days.

Additionally, campers are responsible for adhering to all rules and noting when the applicable hunting seasons are in effect.

They are also not allowed to camp within 100 yards of boat ramps, fishing jetties, parking lots, and other public facilities.

Iowa Camping And RV Rules For Local State Parks And National Parks

In Iowa, there are 83 State Parks, but there are no National Parks.

However, the National Park Service operates two national historic trails, a historic site, and a national monument worth visiting. Should you decide to camp at one of the 83 State Parks, you need to know some important rules.

Below you will find the various rules that are most important to note before planning your Iowa camping holiday:

• Only six people are allowed per campsite unless a large immediate family group cannot be feasibly split.
• Tents are only 8 feet by 10 feet large and cannot sleep more than four people.
• Every camping group is only allowed to use the electrical fixture designated to their campsite.
• Each campsite is allowed one noncamping vehicle.
• Campers are not permitted to place bolts, screws, or spikes in any State Park trees in Iowa.

Citations:

Iowa Public Hunting Lands