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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Elk Horn, IA
19 campgrounds and RV Parks near Elk Horn, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
19 campgrounds
1156 campsites
12 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Elk Horn, IA
East - Prairie Rose State Park
Harlan, IA (8 miles away)
$$$$$
(61 sites)
+7
Schildberg Recreation Area Campground
Atlantic, IA (12 miles away)
Lake Anita State Park
Anita, IA (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(161 sites)
+5
Shelby Country Inn and RV Park
Shelby, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(125 sites)
+2
Whiterock Conservancy - River CG
Coon Rapids, IA (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(6 sites)
+2
Whiterock Conservancy - Oak Ridge RV Campground
Coon Rapids, IA (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(13 sites)
Springbrook State Park
Guthrie Center, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+6
Viking Lake State Park
Stanton, IA (43 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+5
Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground
Iowa (45 miles away)
$$$$$
(6 sites)
+7
Green Valley State Park
Creston, IA (48 miles away)
$$$$$
(100 sites)
+6
Black Hawk State Park
Lake View, IA (48 miles away)
$$$$$
(128 sites)
+5
Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino
Council Bluffs, IA (49 miles away)
$$$$$
(42 sites)
Most common amenities
Tables Playground Showers Pet friendly Toilets Dump station Hiking Trails Grills Firewood
Campgrounds near Elk Horn, Iowa
Elk Horn sits in Shelby County in the rolling hills of southwest Iowa, best known as the largest rural Danish settlement in the United States and home to the Danish Windmill. For RV travelers, the town works as a quiet base within a short drive of several state park, county, and private campgrounds strung along the Interstate 80 corridor.
The closest state park camping is at Prairie Rose State Park, a 422-acre park in the scenic hills of southwest Iowa near Harlan, built around a 218-acre manmade reservoir created in the 1950s. About 45 minutes east, Lake Anita State Park features a 171-acre reservoir on a branch of the Nishnabotna River, located south of Anita on Iowa State Highway 148, with a campground offering 161 sites, two modern shower and restroom buildings, and a playground.
Closer to Atlantic, Schildberg Recreation Area Campground offers a municipal option with full hookups, and Shelby Country Inn and RV Park provides a private-park alternative near the interstate. Farther east near Coon Rapids, Whiterock Conservancy - River CG opens access to trail-rich land along the Middle Raccoon River.
Things to do near Elk Horn
Water recreation dominates the area. At Prairie Rose State Park, campers can boat at the park's 218-acre lake or swim at Prairie Rose beach, and the lake is a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. Lake Anita adds a swimming beach, two boat ramps, and a paved multi-use trail that runs completely around the lake through restored prairie.
Anglers target largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish at Lake Anita, and bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish at Prairie Rose. Schildberg Recreation Area Campground surrounds three lakes popular for fishing, with about one and a half miles of hard-surface trails winding through native grasses and wildflowers.
In town, families can visit the Danish Windmill, the Museum of Danish America, and the Bedstemor's House. Whiterock Conservancy adds miles of hiking, biking, and horse-riding trails along the Middle Raccoon River.
Camping spots and RV parks near Elk Horn, IA
Seasonal patterns and closures
- spring
March - May
59° / 39°F 83 mmParks reopen in April; severe storms possible
- summer
June - August
82° / 61°F 110 mmPeak bookings; heat and humidity common
- fall
September - November
61° / 39°F 60 mmQuieter sites; state parks close November 1
- winter
December - February
32° / 16°F 22 mmState park campgrounds closed; day use only
The camping season in southwest Iowa runs spring through fall. Prairie Rose State Park campground is closed from November 1 to March 31, is 100 percent reservable, and takes reservations for the April through October season. Lake Anita State Park follows the same annual pattern, with the campground closed from November 1 through March 31 and reservations accepted April 1 through October 31 until 10:00 pm the day of arrival.
Summer is the busiest stretch. Lake Anita runs Saturday-night concession service and movies from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and the shoulder months of April, May, September, and October tend to be quieter with cooler nights. Park staff generally have water and shower buildings open by mid-April and begin winterizing them around mid-October.
Winter storms, spring flooding on river bottoms, and summer severe weather all shape trip planning. Tornado watches and heat advisories are common in the warm months, and RVers should build flexibility into itineraries. Whiterock Conservancy operates year round for day use, though river paddling depends on water levels.
Top Hosts near Elk Horn, IA
WP
Wes10 trips - Joined Jul 2022
Wes was great to work with. It was a good experience.
John R. - May 2026
It was great!
Donna S. - Sep 2025
Karen5 trips - Joined Aug 2024
Great space for an RV and included most of what we needed. Karen was easy to communicate with.
Gabriel K. - Jul 2026
Everything about this RV was perfect for our stay! Deliver and picked up with ease and the communication was exceptional! Would rent this RV again and again!
Elisha L. - Aug 2025
How to book campgrounds near Elk Horn
Iowa state park sites are handled through a single system at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com. Advance cabin and campsite reservations for Prairie Rose State Park are made through that portal, and the campgrounds are 100 percent reservable, with a reservation required. Lake Anita uses the same platform, and Iowa State Parks reservations can generally be made up to three months in advance.
Schildberg Recreation Area Campground is managed by the City of Atlantic and takes online reservations through Campspot. Shelby Country Inn and RV Park takes bookings directly through the operator. Whiterock Conservancy handles camping through its Guest Services office, with sites at the River Campground reserved by phone or online.
For peak summer weekends and holidays, book state park sites as early as the window allows. Cancellations do open up close to arrival, and the Iowa call center at 1-877-427-2757 can help with same-week planning.
What to expect on the ground
Terrain is gently rolling farmland with scattered lakes, wooded ravines, and restored prairie. State park campgrounds around Elk Horn are family-oriented with modern amenities. Prairie Rose's East Campground has electric and full-hookup sites with a modern shower and restroom building, while the West Campground has electric and non-electric sites with non-modern facilities.
Lake Anita's tiered layout gives many sites lake views, though sites cluster closer together than some campers prefer, particularly in the RV loops where maneuvering larger rigs takes patience. Schildberg is a municipal park with level sites, full hookups, and a bathhouse, though mature shade is limited.
Whiterock's River Campground is primitive, with picnic tables and fire rings at each site, portable toilets, a solar shower, a potable water faucet, horse tie lines, and no electricity. Cell service can be spotty in river bottoms and on back roads, so download maps before leaving town.
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 Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, IA?
Campsite prices near Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, IA?
Free camping near Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, IA?
Camping near Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, IA?
Dump stations near Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, IA?
Renting a RV in Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, IA?
RV rentals in Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, 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 Elk Horn, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Elk Horn, 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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