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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Eldon, IA
30 campgrounds and RV Parks near Eldon, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
30 campgrounds
2375 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 Eldon, IA
Valley Village MH and RV Spaces
Ottumwa, IA (10 miles away)
$$$$$
(60 sites)
Lacey Keosauqua State Park
Keosauqua, IA (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(64 sites)
+6
Camp Wapello
Drakesville, IA (20 miles away)
Lake Wapello State Park
Iowa (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(80 sites)
+6
Lake Darling State Park
Brighton, IA (25 miles away)
$$$$$
(118 sites)
+6
Eddyville Inn and RV Park
Eddyville, IA (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(16 sites)
Keokuk County Izaak Walton League
Sigourney, IA (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(11 sites)
+5
Indian Hills RV Park
Albia, IA (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(20 sites)
+2
Indian Lake Park
Farmington, IA (31 miles away)
+4
Updog RV and Camping
Mount Pleasant, IA (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(45 sites)
+3
Battle of Athens State Historic Site
Missouri (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(29 sites)
Midwest Old Threshers Campground
Mount Pleasant, IA (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(1200 sites)
Most common amenities
Toilets Pet friendly Showers Dump station Tables Grills Playground Hiking Firewood Trails
Campgrounds near Eldon, Iowa
Eldon sits in southeast Iowa's Wapello County, on the Des Moines River, and works well as a base for RV travelers exploring the state park network in the surrounding counties. Most named campgrounds within a reasonable drive are Iowa DNR state parks, which share a common reservation system and offer a predictable mix of full-hookup, electric, and non-electric sites.
Closest to town, Valley Village MH and RV Spaces provides a private option for travelers who need convenient hookups near Eldon itself. Within roughly an hour's drive, Lacey-Keosauqua State Park sits along a large bend of the Des Moines River in Van Buren County, and Lake Wapello State Park lies west near Drakesville in Davis County. Camp Wapello, the former Boy Scout area next to Lake Wapello, is now operated by the Camp Wapello Preservation Group.
A bit farther north, Lake Darling State Park near Brighton rounds out the state park options with a large, modern campground. Together these parks give RV travelers a range of lake, river, and woodland settings within easy driving distance of Eldon.
Things to do near Eldon
Water recreation drives most trips in the area. Lacey-Keosauqua offers a lake with a sandy beach, 13 miles of trails winding through oak-hickory bluffs along the Des Moines River, and fishing at the lake and along the river. Lake Wapello features a 289-acre lake with a 5 mph limit, one of southern Iowa's finest sand beaches, a seven-mile Lake Shore Trail, and fishing for bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish.
Lake Darling adds a 302-acre lake with a 13.6-mile multi-use trail circling the water for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians, plus fishing for bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie. Boat rentals and a day-use lodge round out the amenities.
Historical stops fit easily between park visits. Woodland Culture burial mounds overlook the Des Moines River within Lacey-Keosauqua, and visitors are asked not to walk on or disturb them. Stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression are still in use in the park, and Ely Ford served as a Mormon Pioneer Trail river crossing.
Camping spots and RV parks near Eldon, IA
Seasonal patterns in southeast Iowa
- spring
March - May
59° / 39°F 90 mmParks reopen in April; showers, muddy trails
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 115 mmPeak season; beaches open; holiday weekends fill fast
- fall
September - November
61° / 41°F 75 mmCool nights, hardwood color; campgrounds close November 1
- winter
December - February
32° / 18°F 34 mmState park campgrounds closed; walk-in only elsewhere
Iowa's state park campgrounds near Eldon follow a shared seasonal calendar. The Lacey-Keosauqua, Lake Wapello, and Lake Darling campgrounds are closed January through March, run an off-peak shoulder in April, hit peak season from May through mid-October, return to off-peak through the end of October, and close November and December. Most cabins reserve from April through October, with a couple of year-round cabins at Lake Wapello and modern family cabins at Lake Darling available all year.
Late spring and summer bring the busiest booking windows, especially around Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day. Firewood sales at Lacey-Keosauqua run through the Friends group and camp hosts from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, and ice sales are available Memorial Day weekend through the third Sunday in October. The Lake Wapello Beach and Boat House concession runs Fridays through Sundays from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.
Fall is a strong shoulder season, with cool nights, fewer crowds, and hardwood foliage across the Des Moines River bluffs.
How to book near Eldon
Iowa's state parks, recreation areas, and forests offer more than 4,300 campsites ranging from hike-in primitive sites to full hookups, and 100 percent of these sites can be reserved up to three months in advance through the Iowa State Parks system on ReserveAmerica. The last day to make a camping reservation, if paying by credit or debit card, is two days before arrival. From November 1 through March 31 most campsites are walk-in only, since advance reservations are not offered during winter.
The campgrounds at Lacey-Keosauqua, Lake Wapello, and Lake Darling are 100 percent reservable during the open season. A nonrefundable cancellation fee applies to each reservation cancelled, and the fee is higher for cancellations made through the call center than online.
For Valley Village MH and RV Spaces or Camp Wapello, contact the operator directly to confirm availability and current policies.
What to expect at Eldon-area campgrounds
The Iowa DNR campgrounds near Eldon offer shaded sites with electric and non-electric options, modern restrooms and showers, and a trailer dump station. Lacey-Keosauqua has 65 campsites, 51 with electricity and 14 without; of the electric sites, 13 include sewer and water, 10 include water, and 28 are electric only. Lake Darling offers 80 campsites, including 15 full-hookup, roughly 50 standard electric, and 15 non-electric sites, with back-in sites accommodating rigs up to about 60 feet.
Expect wooded, shaded settings at most sites and quiet hours in the evening. Beaches are unguarded, cell service can be limited on lower loops near the water, and access roads can include tight turns for larger rigs.
Dogs are welcome on leash. Iowa restricts moving firewood due to past pest quarantines, so buy firewood locally and burn it 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 Eldon, 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 Eldon, IA?
Campsite prices near Eldon, 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 Eldon, IA?
Free camping near Eldon, 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 Eldon, IA?
Camping near Eldon, 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 Eldon, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Eldon, 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 Eldon, IA?
Dump stations near Eldon, 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 Eldon, IA?
Renting a RV in Eldon, 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 Eldon, IA?
RV rentals in Eldon, 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 Eldon, 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 Eldon, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Eldon, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
Nearby cities with campgrounds
Madison, WIKansas City, MODes Moines, IACedar Rapids, IAAlbia, IAKearney, MOSigourney, IAHiawatha, IAJohnston, IALeavenworth, KSVan Meter, IAPleasant Hill, IASmithville, MOGardner, KSFairfax, IABlue Springs, MOMason City, ILSaint Charles, MONewton, IAWaterloo, IAMonona, WIColumbia, MOIndependence, MOGladstone, MO