Campgrounds and RV parks near Afton, IA

Water recreation drives most trip planning in this part of Iowa. The park's centerpiece is the 390-acre Green Valley Lake, which was renovated in 2008 and restocked with largemouth bass, crappies, bluegill, walleyes, and channel catfish. Two ADA accessible fishing piers are available on the north and south shorelines. Boat in the waters of Green Valley Lake or swim at the sandy beach area. Water skiing is permitted in a designated area. No-wake speeds are required except in the ski zone, and inboard motors including jet skis and jet boats are prohibited. On land, a 6.5 mile paved multi-use trail is located on the East and South sides of the lake. The trail begins in the campground and provides a scenic view of the Eastern side of the lake. Across the dam, the trail passes through DNR managed Mitchell Marsh, and it's worth a stop to watch waterfowl and other wetland species of birds, particularly during spring and fall migrations. Four lakes in the region -- Three Mile Lake, Twelve Mile Lake, Summit Lake and Green Valley Lake -- are located within 10 miles of each other and create a hub for lake recreation in southwest Iowa, so anglers and paddlers can build a multi-day itinerary.

The public camping season here is narrow. From November 1 – March 31 all campsites are walk-in only. Park staff generally try to have the water on and shower buildings and dump stations open by May 1. Park staff generally start closing down shower buildings and turning off water and dump stations around mid-October depending upon the weather. Green Valley Cabins are reservable April 15 through October 15, with a walk-in period from October 16 to November 15. Late spring through early fall is the practical booking window. May and June bring the wettest weather of the year, with peak thunderstorm activity and lake levels at their highest. July and August are hot and humid and are the busiest weekends for lake sites, so summer holiday weekends fill early. A 2-night minimum weekend stay is required from May 1 through October 31, with a 3-night stay required on holiday weekends. Private parks along I-35, including Lakeside Casino Resort RV Park, stay open later into the shoulder seasons, though some hookups are limited in winter. Fall camping in September and October offers cooler nights, thinner crowds, and strong waterfowl viewing at Mitchell Marsh.

There are 145 campsites (85 with electrical hookups), modern rest rooms and showers, and a trailer dump station. Sites vary in size and shade, and the campground sits close to the lake with easy trail and beach access. The rustic pine log camper cabins offer visitors a sense of pioneer lifestyle. The cabins have a covered porch, electricity, a microwave and dorm-size refrigerator. Cabin renters must provide their own bedding, pillows, towels, toiletry items, cooking utensils, pots and pans and dinnerware. Lakeside Casino Resort RV Park offers full-hookup pull-through sites with water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric, suited to big rigs. Iowa has confirmed emerald ash borer statewide, so campers should buy firewood locally rather than bringing it in from home.