Iowa Camping Offers More Than Just Great Outdoor Recreation

By RA Manseau

If you are planning a Midwest RV vacation consider Iowa camping. No mater what time of year you go to Iowa the recreational possibilities are enticing. From the splendid lakes to the casino river boats, this state is a treat.

Bales of Hay, Iowa Camping

Iowa camping in the Okoboji area, in northwestern Iowa, is mainly known for its glacier-carved lakes. The Iowa Great Lakes cover approximately 15,000 acres and are absolutely beautiful. Spring Lake, the main lake, is interconnected to five other lakes: West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Upper Gar, Lower Gar, and Minnewashta. All of these are spectacular. The West Lake Okoboji is the center of this year-round playground. In the winter people play on the frozen lakes and in the summer they swim, boat and fish in the lakes.

Historic Arnolds Park began its long life in 1886 with a large slide that plunged into West Okoboji. It didn’t take very long for Arnolds Park to become a major attraction of the mid-west. Today people come from all over the world to enjoy the amusement park on the beach and the other attractions that have developed in the area. Iowa campgrounds are close by.

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Five Tips & Hints to RV Iowa

Plan ahead and book your Iowa campsite online!
Located between the upper Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the state of Iowa comprises 56,000 square miles, primarily rolling prairie. Elevation ranges from 480 feet to 1,670 feet.
Iowa camping is more common in summer months because the average January temperature is 17.3 degrees. But the four distinct seasons and an average 166 days of sun in Iowa make for great year round adventures.
For an Iowa fishing license, visit Iowa Department of Natural Resources website
Before you RV Iowa, contact the Iowa Tourism office for recommendations on what to see and do.

As you RV Iowa, make a stop at Sioux City. The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center is a place where you can experience history and learn what a day in the life of a solder serving with Lewis and Clark was really like. This center is a great educational experience for the young people in your family.

Stone State Park is located in the northwest corner of Sioux City. It has great trails and some are designated for bikes, horses and snowmobiles. The park has 8 miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails on which bikes, horses and snowmobiles are not aloud. The terrain of the park is rugged and beautiful. The park has some camp sites. There are other Iowa campgrounds in the area to stay at, depending on your preferences and availability.

While in the Sioux City area you can take a chance with Lady Luck at Argosy’s Belle of Sioux City Casino. The Belle is a 1920’s style paddle wheel replica river boat. The boat does cruise occasionally depending on weather and other factors but most of the time it is at the water front ready for visitors to come on board and try their luck. Iowa camping can get very exciting!

The Cedar Falls/Waterloo area offers year round entertainment. During the warm months of summer you can hike, bike, fish, boat and swim in and around the lakes and streams of the area. While staying at an Iowa campground near this metropolitan area take the time to visit some of the historical sites in Cedar Falls. The downtown of Cedar Falls is a wonderful collection of beautiful old buildings. The Cedar Falls Historical Society [http://www.cfhistory.org/index.htm] has successfully restored many beautiful historic buildings and created wonderful museums.

Lake Okoboji, RV Iowa

The Capitol City of Iowa is Des Moines. This city has some of the most beautiful buildings in the state. The Capitol building is incredible. Located in Historic East Village, the Iowa State Capitol was constructed between 1871 and 1886. The golden dome on the main section of the building can be seen shining in the sun for miles. The Historic East Village is a celebration or Iowa’s majestic pre-Great Depression past.

Your RV Iowa vacation should include a stop at Centerville in southern Iowa. This historic town is charming. Situated just a short eight miles from Rathbun Lake, one of Iowa’s largest lakes, Centerville is a great place to vacation. This clear and beautiful lake is the perfect playground for water sports. The area has over 20,000 acres of public land offering hiking, hunting, fishing, swimming, water skiing. Whether you have a sail boat or a speed boat you will enjoy boating on the large main body of water.

As you RV Iowa, you will discover a friendly, charming atmosphere that will leave you anxious to return.