RVezyRV rental marketplace
List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Baxter, IA
32 campgrounds and RV Parks near Baxter, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
32 campgrounds
2297 campsites
15 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Best campgrounds near Baxter, IA
Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey
Newton, IA (12 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+14
Kellogg RV Park
Kellogg, IA (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(38 sites)
+6
Rock Creek State Park
Kellogg, IA (17 miles away)
$$$$$
(193 sites)
+6
Shady Oaks RV Campground
Marshalltown, IA (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
Adventureland Campground
Altoona, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(110 sites)
+4
Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground
Altoona, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(142 sites)
River Oaks RV Park
Hartford, IA (26 miles away)
Meskwaki Casino Resort and RV Park CLOSED
Tama, IA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
Main - Elk Rock State Park
Knoxville, IA (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+7
Outback Campground and Resort
Tama, IA (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(130 sites)
+11
Union Grove State Park
Gladbrook, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+4
Rusty Ridge Campground
Toledo, IA (31 miles away)
Most common amenities
Toilets Showers Tables Dump station Pet friendly Playground Grills Trails Hiking Internet
Camping near Baxter, Iowa
Baxter sits in Jasper County in central Iowa, roughly halfway between Des Moines and Grinnell and a short drive north of Interstate 80. The area suits RV travelers who want quiet farmland surroundings with easy access to a state park lake, a KOA off the interstate, and the Des Moines metro attractions to the west.
The closest full-service options include Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey, located in Newton just off I-80, and Kellogg RV Park, also along the interstate corridor. For a state park experience with lake access, Rock Creek State Park sits in Jasper County near Kellogg, a 1,697-acre park with boat launches and docks, picnic grounds, camping grounds, and trails for horseback riding and hiking. Shady Oaks RV Campground offers a smaller private option.
Families aiming to combine RV camping with theme-park time can base at Adventureland Campground in Altoona, which sits next to the amusement park on the east side of the Des Moines metro.
Things to do around Baxter
Rock Creek Lake is the main outdoor draw. Any size boat motor may be operated at a maximum speed of 5 mph, and several boat ramps are located around the lake. Boat and paddlesport rentals are offered at the park concessionaire along with fishing bait and snacks. Anglers can catch crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye and channel catfish from the lake. There are 8.5 miles of multi-use, non-paved trails around the perimeter of the lake for hiking, biking, skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling, and a 5.5 mile bike trail along the park's east side goes to the town of Grinnell.
West of Baxter, Adventureland Park in Altoona offers rides and a water park in summer. Iowa Speedway in Newton hosts scheduled races during the summer. Pella's Dutch shops and the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge are within an hour by car.
Camping spots and RV parks near Baxter, IA
Seasonal patterns near Baxter
- spring
March - May
63° / 39°F 91 mmWet and stormy; Rock Creek reopens April 1.
- summer
June - August
84° / 64°F 115 mmPeak season; book race and holiday weekends early.
- fall
September - November
63° / 43°F 66 mmCool nights and lighter crowds after Labor Day.
- winter
December - February
33° / 16°F 29 mmCold and snowy; state park camping closed.
The Iowa state park camping season is tightly seasonal. At Rock Creek State Park, the campground accepts reservations April 1 through November 15 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival, with the campground closed outside those dates. May through mid-October is the busiest window at the park.
Summer brings the heaviest demand, with lake use, Iowa Speedway race weekends, and Adventureland traffic all overlapping. At the south boat ramp, boat slips are available to rent from April 15 to October 15. Rock Creek Marina offers concessions roughly April 15 through October 15, open daily except Easter.
Spring brings thunderstorms and swollen creeks; fall offers cooler nights and thinner crowds after Labor Day. Winter shuts down state park camping services, though the lake can freeze over, and the trails see use for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Top Hosts near Baxter, IA
Koby4 trips - Joined Jun 2026
Great experience! The RV was spotless and very comfortable! Everything worked as expected and it made my weekend camping trip very relaxing to have the RV delivered, setup, and ready to enjoy when I arrived. Koby was very responsive and easy to communicate with. I will be renting from him again in the future.
LuAnn E. - Sep 2026
Easy and great guy to work with! Camper was a nice stay! Thanks for a great weekend!
Katie V. - Aug 2026
Jerry3 trips - Joined Apr 2024
Jerry went above & beyond from start to finish. The camper was well stocked and everything worked! We would definitely rent from him again. Jerry is great- this app not so great.
Robert H. - Sep 2024
Jerry exceeded our expectations with the delivery and set up of our camper. He was there early with the ac on and cold water in the fridge! He explained how to use everything inside and out, from the stove, water supply, propane, extra supplies and even provided extra treats and a fresh flower bouquet! He was easy to communicate with, knowledgeable about the campground and even checked in later in our stay to make sure we didn’t need anything. We’ll definitely be renting again from Jerry in the near future!! Thank you again for making our long getaway weekend so enjoyable!
Kelli D. - Jul 2024
How to book RV sites near Baxter
Reservations for Rock Creek State Park Campground can be made through Iowa's state park reservation system. Reservations can be made for today and up to three months in advance, so plan accordingly for summer weekends. One fourth of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, giving late arrivals a chance mid-week.
Private parks use their own systems. The Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey books through koa.com or by phone, and Adventureland Campground reserves through the Adventureland Resort site. Kellogg RV Park and Shady Oaks RV Campground take direct phone or website bookings.
For summer weekends, holiday weeks, and race weekends at Iowa Speedway, book as soon as the window opens. Confirm rig length, hookup type (30 vs. 50 amp), and slide clearance before locking in a site.
What to expect on the ground
Expect flat to gently rolling terrain, open sky, and a mix of gravel and grass sites. Central Iowa RV parks along the I-80 corridor tend to accommodate larger rigs, with full hookups available at private parks like the Newton KOA and pull-through options common at interstate-adjacent properties.
At Rock Creek State Park, campsites sit near the park's lake, feature both electric and non-electric options and a modern restroom and shower building, and several campsites sit on the water's edge and provide beautiful views of Rock Creek Lake. The campground is equipped with modern facilities, including electric and non-electric campsites, showers, restrooms, and a dump station. Cell coverage is generally reliable across the area on major carriers. Grocery and fuel are available in Newton and Altoona; Baxter itself is a small town, so stock up before arrival.
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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, IA?
Campsite prices near Baxter, 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 Baxter, IA?
Free camping near Baxter, 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 Baxter, IA?
Camping near Baxter, 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 Baxter, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Baxter, 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 Baxter, IA?
Dump stations near Baxter, 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 Baxter, IA?
Renting a RV in Baxter, 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 Baxter, IA?
RV rentals in Baxter, 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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Baxter, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.