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- Marble Beach State Recreation Area
The best camping in Marble Beach State Recreation Area, IA
Discover the Serenity of Marble Beach State Recreation Area.
The best camping in Marble Beach State Recreation Area, IA
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Marble Beach State Recreation Area adventure.
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T
Tim
October 2025
26 ft travel trailer
With pets
Nice remote place for a smaller camper. Directions were easy to follow and the camping pad is nice and level.
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C
Christina
October 2025
Tent
With kids
We really enjoyed our stay — the campsite was peaceful and right by the water with everything we needed (kayaks/canoe/boat available). The host was very caring, friendly, and welcoming, even giving us fresh farm eggs, which was such a nice touch. The spot felt private and relaxing. The amenities are excellent: power at all sites, warm showers, flushing toilets, and well-maintained grounds.
Unfortunately, we had to cut our trip short because of the high winds, but we’d love to come back when the weather is calmer!
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M
M.M.
September 2025
Tent
With pets
A Little Slice of Heaven – Peaceful Lakefront Camping with an Amazing Host
This place went above and beyond my expectations! I stayed for 2 nights and had an unforgettable experience. Jim is by far one of the most gracious, friendly, and welcoming hosts I’ve ever met. From the moment I arrived, he greeted me, showed me around, and made sure I had everything I needed. He even brought firewood right to my site and surprised me with a dozen fresh farm eggs—talk about hospitality!
His land is a true hidden gem. The quiet lake is perfect for paddling or fishing, with a trolling motor boat, canoe, and kayaks available for guests. My campsite had electric hookups, a firepit, patio table with chairs, plus a mini fridge—a thoughtful touch that made camping feel effortless. There’s also access to a shower, flushing toilet, and outdoor bathroom, so comfort is never sacrificed.
I loved that my two dogs could run around freely and enjoy the space—it was as much their vacation as mine! Nights were the highlight: no city light pollution, just millions of stars sparkling in the sky. Absolutely breathtaking.
This place is serene, clean, and peaceful, with everything you need for a relaxing escape. I’ll definitely be back. Huge thanks to Jim for sharing his beautiful property and making my trip so memorable. This one’s a 5⭐️+ stay all the way!
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K
Keo
September 2025
Tent
With kids
Highly recommend! Such a great little spot. We stayed at Site 4, which was spacious and set a bit farther from the others—perfect for us with two dogs and a toddler. The site came with a fire pit, table, chairs, and even a hammock. We loved the lake view and really appreciated the access to kayaks, a canoe, and a boat with a trolling motor. You can hear some traffic but that's to be expected due to it's location but it didn’t take away from how enjoyable the stay was. We didn’t get to use everything this place offers, but that just means we’ll be back again. The host was very friendly and welcoming, showed us where everything was, and made sure we were comfortable settling in. We came in from Sioux Falls, and it was absolutely worth the drive and the money.
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P
Pin-Kuan
September 2025
Tent
I had my best camping experience here. I also went kayaking and fishing. The host is friendly and helpful.
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MICHAEL
September 2025
Tent
Highly recommend! Plenty of options for traversing the lake, have to say that's the first time I've heard cows while being out on a lake. Farmland nearby, nice and quiet and great for stargazing. Jim is an awesome host and very accommodating; mosquitoes can be a bid bad in early September.
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Keith
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Great little private place to stay. Very quiet, beautiful lakeside sites that are pretty nice and big. Would definitely recomend.
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Erica
September 2025
Tent
With pets
This was an awesome campsite. The view was great, right by the lake. It was a cold weekend so we didn’t get to enjoy the water, but it seems clean and I want to go back there in the summer. We had a lot of space. Jim was very friendly and helpful, since we were the only ones there, we were able to switch site, and Jim provided a little space heater for us and it helped a lot overnight since it got pretty cold. We were there on the opening day for bird hunting, and we woke up on Sat and Sun morning with gun shots, not super fun since we don’t like hunting and my dog gets scared of the noise, but besides that, it is an awesome place and I plan on going back. 10/10 recommend it.
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Logan
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Jim was awesome host! Awesome property! Nice lake with kayaks and boats for use. Had a great weekend and will definitely return one day.
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C
Chandra
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Hands down one of the BEST little hidden gems of a camping spot that we have ever come across! Jim is an incredible host and provides boats and kayaks for his guests to enjoy on the private lake, the sites are absolutely beautiful and offer the perfect secluded get away for couples, families and large groups. The lake is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for fishing/swimming/cruising in the fishing boat or paddling out and enjoying the sun and each campsite is right on the water with its own private access points. Jim really did create a perfect little slice of narures heaven for people to enjoy here! We LOVED our time here and will be making this a yearly spot for our group!!
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Pache
September 2025
Tent
My friends and I absolutely loved staying at this campsite! Jim is an awesome guy! He welcomed us in, gave us a quick tour of where everything was, and even gifted us some of the eggs from his chickens :) He’s super thoughtful and has pretty much everything you’d need. He has a table, a grill-top for the campfire, chairs/seats, and even a hammock set up in the trees! I also love that he had kayaks/canoes available to use for free as well. My friends and I definitely enjoyed our time on the lake paddling in those! Of course, his dog Rocky, just the sweetest girl! We definitely recommend this place and we ourselves would come here again! Thanks Jim!
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L
Larry
August 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With pets
This was our first Hipcamp experience..and was it awesome!! Everything was so well cared for. All our needs were met and then some!! We loved sitting on the dock watching the boaters, found a great spot just down the road to put in our kayaks. Having firewood there was awesome!
The patio by the Lake was so well laid out it was easy to enjoy the Lake!!
We will be back for sure! Thanks for the great weekend!!
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nicholas
August 2025
Tent
This is a great place. Jim is an amazing host. I am definitely going back. Highly recommend if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing place right on the lake.
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t
ty
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
Knowing you can get on a small lake without bringing the gears.
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L
Lindsey
August 2025
Tent
Beautiful property and such a welcoming host! The fishing boat and kayaks were a bonus! 10/10 experience!
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rettie
August 2025
Tent
Group trip
Jim is awesome. We stayed in site 1 and it was lovely. Lots of room and enjoyed the canoe. Will be back!
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Jennifer
August 2025
Tent
With pets
Jim has made his campsites a beautiful comfortable place to camp. The man made lake was perfect for my dog. He was able to swim without large boulders. We typically can not get him to swim for as long as he did. Listed as no picnic table, but to our surprise was a patio set at site #4. The guys loved going out on the boats. We didn't use the indoor shower but took advantage of the outdoor shower rinse. Toilets were clean and as a woman I really appreciated a flushing toilet. Electricity was a huge plus for my dad's cpap. The Sunrise and Sunsets were absolutely gorgeous! We honestly did not expect all the extras that came with renting out this site. We had a wonderful relaxing time.
This would also be a great place if you have younger children because of how far out kids can go and swim without a lot of worry
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G
Greg
August 2025
42 ft fifth wheel
With pets
Peaceful area, lots of area for yard activities if your bringing kids bring your yard activities as well. Will definitely plan on staying here in the future.
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Christian
August 2025
16 ft car
Lisa had a nice quiet spot next to a corn field. Her communication was very good and she made a great breakfast in the morning.
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J
Jennifer
July 2025
29 ft Class C
We loved staying at Mary's RV site on Silver Lake! Beautiful view of the lake and the best part is so private and secluded being the only hook up site on the property!!! Full hook-ups for RV was a big bonus. A wonderful and beautiful spot and so quiet, relaxing and a peaceful place. Mary was a great host and took good care of us checking in on us and making sure we were safe and she responded super quick anytime we had questions. Thank you Mary love your camp site, we will be back!!!
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Other options near Marble Beach State Recreation Area
The best camping in Marble Beach State Recreation Area, IA guide
Overview
About
Come to Marble Beach State Recreation Area and see what the fuss is all about. Spend the day at Spirit Lake: fishing, swimming, and soaking up some rays. Bring out the boat or canoe and paddle around all day; there’s no reason to leave the water at all! For the land-lovers out there, the paths and campsites are beautiful and filled with wildlife to view. Feel free to explore the nearby town for some quality antiquing and shopping. Marble Beach State is the place to be!
When to go
The best time to visit Marble Beach State Recreation Area is during the warm summer months when the lake's waters invite for swimming and boating. However, the park's beauty can also be enjoyed during the quieter seasons, offering peaceful hikes and wildlife watching. Winter brings its own charm, although some activities may be limited due to the cold weather.
Know before you go
- Check the weather forecast before your visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
- Be aware of any park alerts or closures by visiting the official website or contacting the park office.
- Accessibility varies across different areas of the park; inquire ahead for specific needs.
- Pack essentials like water, sunscreen, and insect repellent for a comfortable day out.
- Remember to leave the park as you found it by disposing of trash properly and respecting wildlife.
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