The best camping near Lake Wapello State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake Wapello State Park adventure.

100% (1 reviews)
100% (1 reviews)

Discover the serene beauty of Lake Wapello State Park.  

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Community favorites near Lake Wapello State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Wapello State Park

97%
(259)

Nature Heaven

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Knoxville, IA
This seclude, beautiful pet friendly 40 acres of fenced camping site is on top of hilly land and is rare in Iowa. It has close view of 3.5 private fishing ponds and far view of the Red Rock Lake. There are 10 acres nature timber area that keep you away from the other campers and rest of the world. Each site has a firepit, picnic table and a solar light . The drinking water is at the entrance, but no electricity on site. The RVs need to be self contained. There are tons of nature features, you may see deer, rabbits and other game birds by your campsite. Each camping sites have good distances to keep privacy from each other. A recently built a 20ft diameter geodesic dome tent is for those who want more climate controlled stay while still enjoying the magnificent nature's gifts. For surrounding areas, the close by White Breast Beach is open from May 23-September 3, 2024, boating, hunting and hiking activities in the lake red rock year around. For our campers safety, any hunting activities are not allowed within our camping ground. However, in case you come for hunting with Iowa hunting tags, a couple of public deer hunting grounds are near our camping ground. The recently built glamping geodesic Dome tent is located on a top of hill. You will have a fantastic sunset view of ponds and lake view while enjoy the great nature, and have a comfortable stay . The cell phone signals are good, you may use your cell phone hotspot work remotely at this astonishing Lake Red Rock Oasis ^_^. Hope you will find joy, peace and happiness in this wonderful piece of natural land and the Red Rock lake areas. A little history of this land: This 40 acres of land was a surface mining site. The reclamation works done during the 1970s. But over the years, the soil was seriously eroded. Anna and Peilin, who have Master's and PhD in soil and environment health background, bought this land several years ago and started to restore the vegetation. Now the site looks beautiful and ready for nature lovers and campers to enjoy the fantastic view of the lake, ponds and tall grass... The site is totally different from what the Google map shows now.
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$20
 / night
100%
(6)

Trail-Side Rural Retreat

6 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Oskaloosa, IA
Our 3-acre pasture borders a 13-mile recreational trail that encompasses our entire town. Super easy access to the trail via bike, golf cart, or on foot to the middle school, high school, community auditorium, William Penn University or Lacey Recreational Complex. We live approximately 150 yards from the city limits, but are on a gravel road. It is an easy 7-minute drive to the grocery store, 2 minutes to the local hospital, and the trail is accessible to walkers, golf carts and bicyclists. Our property does not have any hookups, but if needed, there is are a couple of spots where a 110 connection could be accommodated (for an additional $5/night) close to our home that we could have discussions about using. Please note on the three acres, we do have 15 laying hens who free-range during the day, but are confined at night. They typically do not have any desire to interact with humans unless you are feeding them and should not present any problems. IF you bring a pet, please insure it is kept controlled and not allowed to interact with our hens or the folks using the recreational trail. As a bonus, for $5 per person we would be happy to whip up a farm-fresh egg breakfast each morning you stay with us. During summer months, guests are welcome to use our above-ground fully-enclosed pool complete with outdoor shower (heated by the power of the sun shining on a garden hose which means hot water is VERY limited!). There is a tiki bar, small deck and lawn furniture inside the pool enclosure. Please stop by the main house to check in when you arrive. We look forward to hosting you!
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from 
$20
 / night
100%
(5)

Whitetail Tent Camping

1 site · Tent104 acres · Keosauqua, IA
camping 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.
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from 
$44.10
 / night

The best camping near Lake Wapello State Park guide

Overview

About

Looking for one of southern Iowa's best kept secrets? Give Lake Wapello State Park a shot! You’ll be cooling off in its cool clean waters via canoe or kayak, or swimming out from the park’s sandy beaches. If you’re the kind of person that rather be fishing, you’ll be pleased to know the lake is well stocked with bluegill, sunfish, crappie, and catfish (we can hear that fish sizzling over the campfire now). Land lubbers will be satisfied that they can stretch their legs on miles of lake shore trails, while taking in beautiful views of the hawkeye state. Finally, pitch a tent, rent a cabin for the whole family, and swing in the hammock while the sun is setting with a cold one in hand. Cheers to that!

When to go

The ideal time to visit Lake Wapello State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its peak. Summer brings warm days perfect for water activities, though it can be quite busy. Winters are less crowded but can be cold, so ensure you're well-prepared if visiting during this season.

Know before you go

  • Check the weather forecast before your visit to pack appropriately for seasonal conditions.
  • Be aware of park hours, typically from 6am to 10:30pm, to plan your activities within this timeframe.
  • Remember to bring water and snacks, as options for purchasing food may be limited.
  • Stay informed about any trail closures or area restrictions by checking the park's official website or visitor center.
  • For a smooth visit, familiarize yourself with the park's rules and regulations, including those regarding wildlife interactions and trash disposal.

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