RVezyRV rental marketplace
List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Colo, IA
31 campgrounds and RV Parks near Colo, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
31 campgrounds
2474 campsites
13 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 Colo, IA
Shady Oaks RV Campground
Marshalltown, IA (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground
Altoona, IA (25 miles away)
$$$$$
(142 sites)
Adventureland Campground
Altoona, IA (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(110 sites)
+4
Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing
Eldora, IA (27 miles away)
$$$$$
+4
Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey
Newton, IA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+14
Pine Lake State Park Campground
Eldora, IA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+4
Ledges State Park
Madrid, IA (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(94 sites)
+5
Rock Creek State Park
Kellogg, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(193 sites)
+6
Kellogg RV Park
Kellogg, IA (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(38 sites)
+6
Union Grove State Park
Gladbrook, IA (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+4
Meskwaki Casino Resort and RV Park CLOSED
Tama, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club
Grimes, IA (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(448 sites)
+8
Most common amenities
Showers Toilets Tables Dump station Playground Pet friendly Grills Hiking Trails Internet
Camping near Colo, Iowa
Colo sits in Story County in central Iowa, roughly halfway between Ames and Marshalltown along U.S. Highway 30 and near Interstate 35. That location makes it a practical base for RV travelers who want quick access to the Des Moines metro to the south, the Iowa River valley to the northeast, and Iowa State University in Ames to the west.
The closest full-hookup options are clustered on the east side of the Des Moines metro. Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground offers paved concrete full-hookup sites with both 30 and 50 amp service in a rural setting just off Interstate 80, making it a practical stopping point for travelers. Adventureland Campground sits directly adjacent to the Adventureland amusement park in Altoona and offers water, electric, and sewer at every site.
For a more traditional state-park experience, Pine Lake State Park Campground lies about an hour northeast near Eldora, along the Iowa River. Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey provides another option to the south along I-80, and Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing pairs well with an overnight stay in the Pine Lake area.
Things to do near Colo
Families with kids tend to point the rig toward Altoona first. Adventureland Park sits just steps from the campsites at Adventureland Campground, and a bridge on the west side of the campground takes campers directly to the front gate of the park.
Outdoor recreation centers on Pine Lake State Park. More than ten miles of trails wind around Upper and Lower Pine Lake, passing through wooded ravines and along the Iowa River. The park's two lakes hold bass, crappie, and channel catfish, and the Iowa River bordering the park is noted for channel catfish and smallmouth bass. Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing runs float trips on the same stretch of river.
Closer to Colo, day trips to Ames, the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, and the Iowa Speedway in Newton round out the options.
Camping spots and RV parks near Colo, IA
When to visit Colo
- spring
March - May
59° / 37°F 87 mmWettest stretch of the year with severe thunderstorm risk
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 120 mmPeak season; book race weekends and state fair early
- fall
September - November
61° / 39°F 65 mmMild days, cool nights; open sites easier to find
- winter
December - February
30° / 14°F 25 mmCold and snowy; Pine Lake campground closed Nov 1 to Mar 31
Central Iowa has a humid continental climate with sharp seasonal swings. Summers are warm and humid with frequent thunderstorms, and winters are cold and snowy. Peak camping runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, when private parks fill around race weekends at Iowa Speedway, the Iowa State Fair in August, and holiday weekends.
Shoulder seasons work well for RV travelers who want cooler temperatures and open sites. Spring brings the wettest stretch of the year along with severe thunderstorm risk, while fall delivers mild days, cool nights, and fewer bugs. Several campgrounds in the area are seasonal: Adventureland Campground operates from May through the end of October, and Pine Lake State Park Campground is closed each year from November 1 through March 31.
Winter camping options are limited but exist. Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey and Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground both operate year-round for travelers passing through in the colder months.
Top Hosts near Colo, 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 campgrounds near Colo
Iowa state park sites, including Pine Lake State Park Campground, are booked through the Iowa DNR reservation system on ReserveAmerica. Reservations can be made up to three months in advance, counting back from the arrival date. Pine Lake is 100 percent reservable during its April 1 through October 31 operating season, and accepts bookings up to 10:00 pm the day of arrival.
Private campgrounds book directly. Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey uses the KOA reservation system, and Adventureland Campground books by phone or through the Adventureland Resort website. Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground takes reservations directly, with the front office located at the adjacent farm feed store just north of the campground.
Book race weekends, the Iowa State Fair, and summer holidays several weeks out.
What to expect
The area caters to a mix of interstate travelers and destination campers. Private parks near I-80 tend toward paved or gravel pads with full hookups and a strong seasonal or long-term resident population. Griff's Valley View is a quiet park with 142 concrete-pad full-hookup sites, both 30 and 50 amp service, laundry, showers, and a storm shelter in the community center.
State-park sites at Pine Lake are more wooded. The campground offers electric hookups with modern showers and restrooms, but no sewer at individual sites; a trailer dump station is provided.
Cell coverage is generally reliable on major carriers across central Iowa. Summer thunderstorms can be intense, so plan for wind, hail, and lightning; several parks in the region have designated storm shelters on site.
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 Colo, 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 Colo, IA?
Campsite prices near Colo, 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 Colo, IA?
Free camping near Colo, 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 Colo, IA?
Camping near Colo, 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 Colo, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Colo, 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 Colo, IA?
Dump stations near Colo, 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 Colo, IA?
Renting a RV in Colo, 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 Colo, IA?
RV rentals in Colo, 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 Colo, 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 Colo, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Colo, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.