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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Eldora, IA
28 campgrounds and RV Parks near Eldora, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
28 campgrounds
2657 campsites
15 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Eldora, IA
Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing
Eldora, IA (1 miles away)
$$$$$
+4
Pine Lake State Park Campground
Eldora, IA (2 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+4
Union Grove State Park
Gladbrook, IA (25 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+4
Shady Oaks RV Campground
Marshalltown, IA (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
Beeds Lake State Park
Hampton, IA (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(144 sites)
+6
Wilder Park
Allison, IA (31 miles away)
+7
Meskwaki Casino Resort and RV Park CLOSED
Tama, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
Rusty Ridge Campground
Toledo, IA (34 miles away)
Outback Campground and Resort
Tama, IA (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(130 sites)
+11
George Wyth State Park
Waterloo, IA (37 miles away)
$$$$$
(69 sites)
+5
Waterloo/Lost Island KOA Resort
Waterloo, IA (40 miles away)
$$$$$
(148 sites)
+6
Rock Creek State Park
Kellogg, IA (44 miles away)
$$$$$
(193 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Showers Tables Dump station Playground Pet friendly Grills Toilets Hiking Trails Firewood
Camping near Eldora, Iowa
Eldora sits in Hardin County along the Iowa River in north-central Iowa, and it functions as the trailhead for Pine Lake State Park, one of the state's oldest parks. The 668-acre park enjoys a picturesque setting by the Iowa River and is anchored by a pair of lakes that provide a scenic backdrop for swimming, boating, and fishing, and Pine Lake is one of the oldest state parks in Iowa, welcoming visitors since the 1920s. The Pine Lake State Park Campground sits just north of town off County Road S-56.
RV travelers have several options within a short drive. Pine Lake State Park Campground is the closest full-service state park option, with electric hookups and modern facilities. Shady Oaks RV Campground offers a private-park alternative in the Eldora area. Beeds Lake State Park lies a longer drive north near Hampton, and Union Grove State Park sits south in Tama County.
On-water activities anchor most trips. Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing runs float trips on the Iowa River near Pine Lake, and each nearby state park is built around a lake with fishing, boating, and swimming.
Things to do near Eldora
Water and trails dominate the area. Pine Lake has fishing jetties on both Upper and Lower Pine Lake offering shoreline access, both lakes hold bass, crappie, northern pike, and catfish, and the Iowa River bordering the park is noted for channel catfish and smallmouth bass. A 2.5-mile paved trail connects the lake to nearby Eldora. Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing runs float trips on the river.
Beeds Lake State Park offers a shoreline trail loop with views of the CCC-built limestone dam and spillway. Union Grove State Park is centered on a small prairie lake with a swimming beach and boat ramps operated at no-wake speeds.
The Lake-to-Lake State Park Bike Route is a 50 mile route connecting Pine Lake and George Wyth Memorial state parks primarily utilizing county highways and established bike routes and paths.
Camping spots and RV parks near Eldora, IA
When to visit Eldora
- spring
March - May
59° / 37°F 85 mmParks reopen for advance booking April 1; water on by May 1.
- summer
June - August
81° / 61°F 115 mmPeak season; book Pine Lake weekends well ahead.
- fall
September - November
59° / 37°F 65 mmCool nights; showers and water shut off around mid-October.
- winter
December - February
28° / 10°F 25 mmState park campgrounds walk-in only; frozen lakes.
The peak camping window runs from late spring through early fall. From November 1 through March 31 all campsites are walk-in only across the Iowa state park system, with a few named exceptions. Beeds Lake and Union Grove both follow that pattern, closing to advance reservations over the winter and reopening for the standard April through October season.
Water and shower service tracks the frost cycle. Park staff generally try to have the water on and shower buildings and dump stations open by May 1, and they generally start closing shower buildings and turning off water and dump stations around mid-October depending on the weather, so campers in April or later October should not count on modern facilities.
Pine Lake stays busier than the smaller parks in summer, and its campground draws steady weekend traffic. Book early for holiday weekends, which require a three-night minimum stay across the Iowa state park system.
How to book a campsite
Iowa's state park campgrounds all use one reservation system. Iowa's state parks, recreation areas, and forests have more than 4,300 campsites ranging from hike-in primitive sites to full hook-ups, and 100 percent of these campsites can be reserved up to 3 months in advance. The same system handles Pine Lake, Beeds Lake, and Union Grove. The reservation call center is 1-877-427-2757.
Booking windows differ by facility type. Camping is bookable from 3 months out up to the same day until 10 pm CST, while cabins, lodges, and shelters open 12 months ahead and close 4 days prior to arrival during peak season and 7 days prior in the off-season.
Private options like Shady Oaks RV Campground book directly through the operator. For last-minute summer weekends, watch cancellation openings on the state system.
What to expect on arrival
State park campgrounds in this corridor are RV-ready but modest. The Pine Lake campground offers 124 campsites with electric hookups (50 amp service), modern showers and restrooms, and a trailer dump station. There are no sewer hookups in Pine Lake State Park but there is an RV dump station available. Union Grove offers a mix of electric and full hook-up sites with a modern shower house.
Sites at some smaller parks in the region sit close together, so perimeter and lakefront spots tend to offer more space. Cell service is spotty at the outlying parks and WiFi is generally not provided.
Iowa has confirmed emerald ash borer statewide, so campers should buy firewood locally near the park they are visiting, burn it all during their stay, and avoid transporting firewood across county or state lines.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Eldora, 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 Eldora, IA?
Campsite prices near Eldora, 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 Eldora, IA?
Free camping near Eldora, 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 Eldora, IA?
Camping near Eldora, 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 Eldora, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Eldora, 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 Eldora, IA?
Dump stations near Eldora, 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 Eldora, IA?
Renting a RV in Eldora, 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 Eldora, IA?
RV rentals in Eldora, 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 Eldora, 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 Eldora, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Eldora, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
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