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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Dows, IA
24 campgrounds and RV Parks near Dows, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
24 campgrounds
1811 campsites
20 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Dows, IA
Beeds Lake State Park
Hampton, IA (15 miles away)
$$$$$
(144 sites)
+6
Pine Lake State Park Campground
Eldora, IA (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+4
Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing
Eldora, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
+4
Corn Patch Corner Campground / RV Park
Rockwell, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(17 sites)
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - North Equestrian
Iowa (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(125 sites)
+2
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Beach
Iowa (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(47 sites)
+2
Oakwood RV Park
Clear Lake, IA (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(90 sites)
+6
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - South Equestrian
Iowa (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(92 sites)
+2
Clear Lake State Park
Clear Lake, IA (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(200 sites)
+7
Mcintosh Woods State Park
Ventura, IA (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(49 sites)
+6
Dolliver Memorial State Park
Iowa (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(33 sites)
+4
Wilder Park
Allison, IA (37 miles away)
+7
Most common amenities
Tables Showers Grills Playground Dump station Toilets Pet friendly Hiking Trails Firewood
Camping near Dows, Iowa
Dows sits in Wright County in north-central Iowa, roughly midway between Des Moines and the Minnesota border. The town itself is small and rural, so most RV travelers use it as a base for reaching lakes and Iowa DNR state parks within an hour's drive. The closest developed state-park option is Beeds Lake State Park near Hampton, centered around a 99-acre reservoir with 138 campsites spread across multiple loops, modern restrooms with showers, and a sanitary dump station.
About half an hour north, Clear Lake anchors a cluster of popular parks. Clear Lake State Park offers diverse activities on one of Iowa's most popular lakes, with the roughly 3,600-acre lake drawing boaters, anglers and windsurfers. McIntosh Woods State Park is a 60-acre park on the north shore of Clear Lake, unique among Iowa state parks for its two rentable yurts alongside a modern campground with electric and non-electric sites.
Private RV parks round out the choices. Oakwood RV Park in the Clear Lake area offers full hook-up sites, modern amenities and spacious accommodations, while Corn Patch Corner Campground / RV Park provides a smaller stopover closer to Dows for travelers passing through.
Things to do near Dows
Water activity drives most trips. Clear Lake has a 900-foot sandy beach and supports canoeing, kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing and sailing, with year-round fishing for walleye, muskie, northern pike and more. At Beeds Lake, a modern boat ramp provides access for no-wake boating and non-motorized paddling, with fishing jetties and docks along the shoreline.
On-land options include hiking and biking. A two-mile trail follows the shoreline around Beeds Lake, and visitors can hike to the base of the CCC limestone dam at the spillway. At McIntosh Woods, Ventura Cove is a 22-acre woodland with a popular paved bike trail that continues around the lake and along a roadway to form a full loop.
Off-park, the town of Clear Lake has restaurants, antique shops and the historic Surf Ballroom, a short drive from any of the campgrounds.
Camping spots and RV parks near Dows, IA
Seasonal patterns for camping near Dows
- spring
March - May
55° / 36°F 80 mmWet shoulder season; campgrounds reopen off-peak in April
- summer
June - August
81° / 61°F 120 mmPeak season; lakeside sites book weeks out; storms possible
- fall
September - November
57° / 37°F 65 mmCool nights; state parks close between late October and November
- winter
December - February
25° / 10°F 31 mmDeep cold and snow; state park campgrounds closed
The Iowa DNR camping season is compressed. The Beeds Lake campground is closed January through March, opens off-peak in April, runs peak season May 1 through October 15, and closes again from November through December. Clear Lake State Park accepts reservations April through October and is closed November through March. Peak demand hits Memorial Day through Labor Day, when lakeside sites often book out weeks in advance.
Spring is cool and wet, with lake levels high and fishing strong for walleye and panfish. Summer brings warm, humid days ideal for the beach and boating, though thunderstorms are common. Fall shoulder season, particularly late September into mid-October, offers cooler nights, thinner crowds and color in the oak groves.
Winter camping is limited. At McIntosh Woods, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing are options in winter, but developed campgrounds around Clear Lake and Beeds Lake are closed for the coldest months, so RV travelers should plan around the April to late-fall window.
How to book campgrounds near Dows
Iowa state parks use a single online reservation system. Advance campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system, and the campground is 100% reservable with a reservation required. Reservations may be made up to 3 months in advance of the arrival date, and stay minimums apply on summer weekends and holidays.
Beeds Lake accepts reservations April 1 through October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival. Clear Lake operates on a similar system, with the campground accepting reservations April 1 through November 30 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival. For summer weekends and holidays, book as early as the window allows. Private parks such as Oakwood RV Park and Corn Patch Corner Campground / RV Park handle reservations directly through the operator.
What to expect on the ground
Facilities at the state parks are modern but basic. Beeds Lake's large campground offers electrical hookups, two modern restrooms, showers and a sanitary dump station. Clear Lake State Park's campground contains two modern restrooms, shower facilities and two dump stations. Full-hookup sites exist but are limited, so most RVers plan to use the dump station on departure.
Sites vary in size and levelness. Expect paved interior roads at the larger state parks, open grassy sections mixed with oak shade, and closer neighbors than in a national forest setting. Golf carts, ATVs and UTVs are strictly prohibited in Iowa State Parks, and electric toys like razors, scooters and kids' vehicles are not permitted to operate on the state park roads.
Quiet hours are enforced. At Beeds Lake, quiet hours run from 10:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and similar rules apply at neighboring parks.
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 Dows, 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 Dows, IA?
Campsite prices near Dows, 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 Dows, IA?
Free camping near Dows, 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 Dows, IA?
Camping near Dows, 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 Dows, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Dows, 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 Dows, IA?
Dump stations near Dows, 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 Dows, IA?
Renting a RV in Dows, 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 Dows, IA?
RV rentals in Dows, 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 Dows, 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 Dows, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Dows, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.