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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Ainsworth, IA
37 campgrounds and RV Parks near Ainsworth, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
37 campgrounds
3820 campsites
17 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Ainsworth, IA
Lake Darling State Park
Brighton, IA (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(118 sites)
+6
Updog RV and Camping
Mount Pleasant, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(45 sites)
+3
Crossroads RV Park
Mount Pleasant, IA (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(34 sites)
+6
Midwest Old Threshers Campground
Mount Pleasant, IA (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(1200 sites)
BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
Oxford, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(108 sites)
+9
Unhitched Sleepy Hollow RV Park
Oxford, IA (30 miles away)
Keokuk County Izaak Walton League
Sigourney, IA (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(11 sites)
+5
Cedar River Campground
Tipton, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(185 sites)
+11
Hidden River Campgrounds
Tipton, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
+11
Geode State Park
Danville, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(90 sites)
+5
Fairport State Recreation Area
Muscatine, IA (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(42 sites)
+3
Primitive - Lake Macbride State Park
Solon, IA (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(56 sites)
+3
Most common amenities
Pet friendly Toilets Grills Tables Dump station Playground Showers Hiking Trails Internet
Campgrounds near Ainsworth
Ainsworth sits in Washington County in southeast Iowa, on the rolling farmland between Iowa City and the Mississippi River. The area works well as an RV base because several distinct campground styles cluster within a short drive: a state park on a stocked lake, private RV parks along the main road corridors, and a large event campground built around an annual heritage festival.
The closest options to town are Updog RV and Camping and Crossroads RV Park, both suited to travellers looking for a straightforward hookup site close to Highway 218 and Interstate 80. A short drive south, Midwest Old Threshers Campground in Mount Pleasant offers a large grounds tied to the Old Threshers Reunion, with roughly 1,200 RV sites and additional tent space. Lake Darling State Park, near Brighton, adds a public-lands option with a 302-acre lake, trails and modern shower facilities.
For families wanting pool access, a swim beach and organized weekend activities, BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow near Oxford is the closest resort-style park, about 20 minutes from Iowa City.
Things to do around Ainsworth
Lake Darling State Park is the main outdoor draw. The park has a 302-acre lake with two boat ramps, a swim beach, an accessible fishing pier, and a 13.6-mile multi-use trail that encircles the lake and passes through wetland, prairie remnants and an 1800s cemetery. Anglers target catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill and bullheads. Any-size motor is allowed at no-wake speed, and paddle boats, kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards can be rented from the boathouse Fridays through Sundays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
South of Ainsworth, Mount Pleasant hosts the annual Old Threshers Reunion over Labor Day weekend, with steam-powered equipment, demonstrations, nightly grandstand shows and ground trains and shuttle buses between the campground and the main grounds.
Within easy driving distance sit the Amana Colonies, the Kalona Amish community, and Iowa City with the University of Iowa.
Camping spots and RV parks near Ainsworth, IA
When to visit Ainsworth
- spring
March - May
59° / 39°F 90 mmWet and warming; severe thunderstorm season begins.
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 119 mmHot and humid; wettest season and peak bookings.
- fall
September - November
61° / 41°F 70 mmCool and drier; state park closes November 1.
- winter
December - February
34° / 16°F 39 mmCold and snowy; state park campground closed.
The camping season in southeast Iowa runs roughly April through October. Lake Darling State Park's campground is closed each year from November 1 through March 31, with peak season running May 1 to October 15 and shoulder weeks in April and late October. Park staff generally turn on water and open shower buildings and dump stations by May 1 and start shutting them down around mid-October depending on weather, so April and late-October stays may lack modern facilities.
Summer brings hot, humid days and the region's wettest months, with thunderstorms most frequent from May through August. Fall delivers cooler nights, drier weather and hardwood colour, and is the quietest stretch at Lake Darling before winter closure.
Mount Pleasant fills up for the Old Threshers Reunion at the end of August through Labor Day, when nearby lodging is scarce. Booking that week well ahead is essential, as reserved sites tend to sell out quickly.
How to book near Ainsworth
Lake Darling State Park is 100 percent reservable through the Iowa State Parks reservation system at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or by phone at 1-877-427-2757. Campsite reservations open up to 3 months in advance of the arrival date, and the campground accepts reservations from April 1 through October 31, up to 10:00 pm CST on the day of arrival. Cabins, lodges and shelters can be booked further out, up to 12 months ahead. Cancellation fees apply, with additional forfeitures for cancellations made close to arrival.
Midwest Old Threshers Campground handles Reunion-week reservations directly by phone at 319-385-8937, with reservations opening in early February for that year's event and closing the day before the Reunion or when electric sites fill.
Updog RV and Camping, Crossroads RV Park, and BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow accept reservations directly through each park's own website or by phone.
What to expect around Ainsworth
Terrain is gently rolling farmland with wooded creek valleys. Cell service is generally reliable near the interstates and thins on county roads. Roads into some smaller private parks can be gravel, and sites at BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow sit on rolling ground, so leveling blocks are useful.
Lake Darling's campground has full-hookup, electric and non-electric sites with modern showers, restrooms, a dump station and a playground. Modern family cabins are available year-round; camping cabins are reservable from April 15 through October 15 and share the campground shower building.
Midwest Old Threshers Campground offers 30-amp and 50-amp electric sites without full services, with water hydrants nearby and two on-site dump stations. Ground trains and trolleys transport campers to the main grounds during the Reunion. Buy firewood locally to help slow the spread of forest pests such as emerald ash borer.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Ainsworth, IA
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Ainsworth, IA?
Campsite prices near Ainsworth, IA depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Ainsworth, IA?
Free camping near Ainsworth, IA depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Ainsworth, IA?
Camping near Ainsworth, IA works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Ainsworth, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Ainsworth, IA. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Ainsworth, IA?
Dump stations near Ainsworth, IA are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Ainsworth, IA?
Renting a RV in Ainsworth, IA works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Ainsworth, IA?
RV rentals in Ainsworth, IA peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Ainsworth, IA?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Ainsworth, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Ainsworth, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.