The best river, stream, or creek RV campgrounds near Ottumwa, Iowa

Looking for an exciting camping adventure near Ottumwa, Iowa with the comfort of an RV and the tranquility of a river? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 610 available options in the area, Hipcamp offers a range of options to meet your specific needs. Top campsites like Draco Hill Farm (192 reviews), Come Enjoy the Beauty (160 reviews), and Folk School Farm Stay (135 reviews) offer popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, cooking equipment, and showers. And with activities like climbing, wildlife watching, and paddling, you're sure to have an unforgettable trip. The average price per night is $49, with options as low as $14, so you can enjoy the great outdoors at an affordable price.

99% (259)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Red Rock Springs

100%

(32)

39mi from Ottumwa · 1 site · Tent, RV · Knoxville, IA

Private secluded camp spot Near Lake Red Rock. Enjoy your own private 6.5 wooded acres to explore. There is a Spring-fed stream that runs through this property. Spot Abundant wildlife including turkey, deer, owls and eagles. Several trails wind through this camp. Pull your camper or pitch a tent. The restroom has enough solar power to charge all your devices. This property Borders Army corps of engineers land. Competine Creek is only 1200 feet from this camp and feeds into Lake Red Rock. Great for canoes or kayaks. This camp is Less than a 5 min drive to Lake Red Rock boat ramp. 8 min to Knoxville, 10 min to Pella. This is an off grid property with a clean, simple bathroom featuring a composting toilet and hand-washing sink. (sink currently winterized but hand sanitizer provided)

2. Whitetail Tent Camping

100%

(10)

34mi from Ottumwa · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Keosauqua, IA

Camping, (Fishinfg at 2 of our sights) Enjoying a campfire and sometimes even petting Pedro the donkey! Learn more about this land: Nestled into the center of historic and scenic Van Buren County (where there are more Whitetail Deer than people) You are a 5 minute drive away from The Des Moines River which is great for kayaking, boating and fishing. You’re also 5 minutes away from Lacey State Park, which has a 30 acre lake. Lacey Lake also has a sandy beach area and over 13 miles of trails to hike on. If you like to go fishing and boating, Lake Sugema, a 579 acre lake, is a 10 minute drive from this campsite. If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll be camping 19 miles from where you can rent a horse and ride on 25 miles of trails in Shimek State Forest, just east of Farmington, Iowa.

Looking for an exciting camping adventure near Ottumwa, Iowa with the comfort of an RV and the tranquility of a river? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 610 available options in the area, Hipcamp offers a range of options to meet your specific needs. Top campsites like Draco Hill Farm (192 reviews), Come Enjoy the Beauty (160 reviews), and Folk School Farm Stay (135 reviews) offer popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, cooking equipment, and showers. And with activities like climbing, wildlife watching, and paddling, you're sure to have an unforgettable trip. The average price per night is $49, with options as low as $14, so you can enjoy the great outdoors at an affordable price.

99% (259)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Red Rock Springs

100%

(32)

39mi from Ottumwa · 1 site · Tent, RV · Knoxville, IA

Private secluded camp spot Near Lake Red Rock. Enjoy your own private 6.5 wooded acres to explore. There is a Spring-fed stream that runs through this property. Spot Abundant wildlife including turkey, deer, owls and eagles. Several trails wind through this camp. Pull your camper or pitch a tent. The restroom has enough solar power to charge all your devices. This property Borders Army corps of engineers land. Competine Creek is only 1200 feet from this camp and feeds into Lake Red Rock. Great for canoes or kayaks. This camp is Less than a 5 min drive to Lake Red Rock boat ramp. 8 min to Knoxville, 10 min to Pella. This is an off grid property with a clean, simple bathroom featuring a composting toilet and hand-washing sink. (sink currently winterized but hand sanitizer provided)

2. Whitetail Tent Camping

100%

(10)

34mi from Ottumwa · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Keosauqua, IA

Camping, (Fishinfg at 2 of our sights) Enjoying a campfire and sometimes even petting Pedro the donkey! Learn more about this land: Nestled into the center of historic and scenic Van Buren County (where there are more Whitetail Deer than people) You are a 5 minute drive away from The Des Moines River which is great for kayaking, boating and fishing. You’re also 5 minutes away from Lacey State Park, which has a 30 acre lake. Lacey Lake also has a sandy beach area and over 13 miles of trails to hike on. If you like to go fishing and boating, Lake Sugema, a 579 acre lake, is a 10 minute drive from this campsite. If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll be camping 19 miles from where you can rent a horse and ride on 25 miles of trails in Shimek State Forest, just east of Farmington, Iowa.

Public campgrounds near Ottumwa

Stories from the community

J

Judy

3 weeks ago

13 ft travel trailer

1 night at Red Rock Springs

We loved this very private and roomy campsite! We heard owls, cranes, and coyotes, and we saw geese and trumpeter swans fly overhead. The stars were amazing! We also found the solar lighted bathroom with the composting toilet to be quite a luxury for boondocking. I would highly recommend this site. My only advice…the ground is very rocky, so wear boots or good solid shoes. Enjoy!

d

dave

3 weeks ago

13 ft travel trailer

1 night at Red Rock Springs

We loved this spot. The restroom was well lit and clean. Beautiful spot with actual owls we heard at night.

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Carrie

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Red Rock Springs

Nice little getaway! I loved that it was secluded enough but you could still drive to town if need be. I like to use this app because of my fear reactive dog. She needs space from humans and dogs, and we both enjoy getting away and relaxing in nature. The neighbors did have dogs that barked through out the night and she found it very hard to settle with the barking. That was my only complaint! The weather did change on us while we were there so we did pack up and leave a little early, but I would definitely come back and give it another go in the future.

J

Jenny

October 2025

14 ft travel trailer

1 night at Red Rock Springs

We loved our first experience taking out our little Falcon camper and we are so happy it was here. This is a private site with a lighted composting toilet area, with TP and a hand washing station 😊. It has a fire pit and an option to purchase firewood. The view of the trees is stunning, especially this time of year and we enjoyed walking around the grounds. Also there are many paved trails close by within a short drive. Joshua is kind and helpful. Thanks Joshua. We plan on returning and telling our friends and family about your little gem.🌳🐿🦌

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Sara

October 2025

15 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Red Rock Springs

We loved camping here, and our dogs had so much fun exploring. The tripod to cook over the fire was handy as well as being able to venmo for firewood. We plan to return!

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Zach

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Red Rock Springs

Joshua was very helpful and the stay was great! The property was very nice and private, all in all a great experience!

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Luke

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Red Rock Springs

Great host, calm grounds and beautiful scenery would definitely camp again

alicia

October 2025

24 ft Class C

With pets

Weekend Trip to Red Rock Springs

Incredible spot! Wish we had more time here. Directions via Google maps were perfect, look for the cones. Fire wood available restroom available. The site is magical, had an amazing time, my dogs loved being able to explore and relax. Area was well tended too, enjoyed finding old machinery on the lot and so many cute frogs. Some traffic during day but absolute silence in the evening. If you're looking for off grid, peace and quiet with wonderful walking trails and beautiful scape, this is the place!

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Kat

October 2025

Tent

With pets

4 nights at Red Rock Springs

My pup and I had a great stay! We spent most of the daytime on the lower part of the property in the shade, which was such a beautiful area with its own picnic table and even a fire pit. The property trails were well maintained. I got two firewood bundles, which were hefty and worth the price: you can see in the attached photo just one bundle and how much wood it supplied. Outhouse was well maintained and didn’t stink. Beautiful open sky at night and peaceful nature sounds. Loved the nearby paved biking trails and recreational areas. Would definitely visit again!

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Rob

September 2025

14 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Red Rock Springs

Great spot! Clean, private, and quiet! Host had fantastic communication. Can’t wait to go back!

Jacob

August 2025

26 ft travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at Red Rock Springs

This place is amazing, I can tell you that much. It's a great spot for anyone who appreciates a bit of peace and quiet. The private atmosphere really sets it apart from other places I've been to. Our dogs loved the trails and stream down at the lower level! Would love to visit again soon!

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Kim

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Red Rock Springs

Loved the peace & quiet and space for my dogs to romp! The creek was great to cool them down during our hot summer stay!

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Elly

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Red Rock Springs

Me and my partner had a wonderful overnight stay at Owl’s Perch. We were able to cook using the fire pit and provided, along with the suspended rack. The trails connected to the campsite are beautiful, lush, and well cared for. We had a very pleasant experience, and Joshua is a kind and accommodating host. If you’re looking for a cute, private camping spot, this is your place!

T

Tonya

August 2025

Tent

With pets

4 nights at Red Rock Springs

What a great little area to set up camp! Plenty of space for tents and a camper. Great for families to explore and dogs to roam. Besides the occasional car driving by we didn’t hear any other people near by so it felt really private. Hosts are great and responsive. Great spot!

K

Kalyca

July 2025

24 ft travel trailer

With pets

1 night at Red Rock Springs

Beautiful surroundings and very quiet. The stars were amazing at night!

M

Matt

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Red Rock Springs

Great place to camp! Easy to get to yet secluded. Joshua clearly puts in the effort to maintain this site. I didn’t get a chance to hike on the trail because rain made it too muddy for me. Looks as though the trail is well-maintained as well.

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Robert

July 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Red Rock Springs

Had a great time at this spot with my fiancée. Loved the privacy. Also had a toilet and a sink to wash hands. Got the firewood bundle and he left plenty for the night. Also it’s true to its name—we heard owls! That was my favorite part

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Shannon

July 2025

10 ft campervan

With pets

1 night at Red Rock Springs

Great experience all around. The site is wonderful with nice hiking trails and privacy. Josh was a perfect host with good communication and easy to follow directions. Will definitely be going back again.

Lizzie

July 2025

18 ft travel trailer

With pets

1 night at Red Rock Springs

Great overnight stay at Owl’s Perch! Nice amenities including bins and a “water diverting” toilet. Site was spacious and easy to maneuver in. We did in fact hear owls! At dusk there was a beautiful show of fireflies. Would definitely stay again!