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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Ely, IA
35 campgrounds and RV Parks near Ely, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
35 campgrounds
2962 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 Ely, IA
Palisades-Kepler State Park
Mount Vernon, IA (5 miles away)
$$$$$
(44 sites)
+3
Cam lo-Dis-E-Ca
Solon, IA (5 miles away)
$$$$$
(10 sites)
Scales Pointe Camping and Boating
North Liberty, IA (5 miles away)
$$$$$
(92 sites)
+6
Primitive - Lake Macbride State Park
Solon, IA (6 miles away)
$$$$$
(56 sites)
+3
Cedar Valley Grove Campground
Mechanicsville, IA (14 miles away)
Amana Colonies RV Park
Iowa (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(450 sites)
+10
Unhitched Sleepy Hollow RV Park
Oxford, IA (17 miles away)
BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
Oxford, IA (17 miles away)
$$$$$
(108 sites)
+9
Pleasant Creek State Recreational Area
Palo, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+5
Wapsipinicon State Park
Anamosa, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+5
Hidden River Campgrounds
Tipton, IA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
+11
BEYONDER Getaway at Lazy Acres
Center Point, IA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(46 sites)
+12
Most common amenities
Tables Showers Grills Playground Pet friendly Toilets Dump station Hiking Trails Firewood
Camping near Ely, Iowa
Ely is a small city in Linn County, part of the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area in eastern Iowa. It sits between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, which puts RV renters within a short drive of Coralville Lake, the Cedar River corridor, and Lake Macbride, Iowa's largest state park.
Campgrounds within roughly thirty minutes of town cover a mix of styles. Palisades-Kepler State Park offers electric and non-electric sites, modern showers, and a trailer dump station along the Cedar River. Lake Macbride State Park runs a modern north campground with full and electric hookups plus a primitive south unit in a shaded setting near the water. Scales Pointe Camping and Boating provides full and partial hookup RV sites and marina access on Coralville Lake, and Cam lo-Dis-E-Ca is a smaller camp with electric and water hookups. Primitive - Lake Macbride State Park and Cedar Valley Grove Campground round out the options for RV renters basing a trip in the area.
Expect rolling hardwood terrain, river bluffs, and multiple reservoirs within easy reach of the rig.
Things to do near Ely
Water access anchors most trips. Lake Macbride supports swimming at a designated beach, and pontoons, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and pedal boats are available for rent from Memorial Day through Labor Day on the 812-acre reservoir. Anglers work the Cedar River from Palisades-Kepler for channel catfish, bass, and walleye, often fishing by boat or from shore near the old dam.
On land, Palisades-Kepler has about five miles of rugged trails through hardwood forest and river bluffs, with spring wildflowers along the paths. Lake Macbride adds over seven miles of multi-use trails winding around the lake through oak and hickory woods. Bird watchers see nearly every songbird native to the region, with shorebirds, waterfowl, and ospreys passing through in spring and fall.
Camping spots and RV parks near Ely, IA
When to visit Ely and seasonal patterns
- spring
March - May
59° / 37°F 85 mmParks reopen April 1; wildflowers along river bluffs
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 115 mmPeak season; lakefront sites fill on weekends
- fall
September - November
61° / 39°F 65 mmCooler nights; modern facilities close by mid-October
- winter
December - February
30° / 14°F 30 mmState park campgrounds closed; trails open for skiing
Iowa state park campgrounds in this area operate on a fixed calendar. Both Palisades-Kepler and Lake Macbride accept reservations April 1 through November 15 and are closed November 16 through March 31. Park staff generally aim to have water on and shower buildings open by early May, and start shutting those systems down in mid-October depending on weather, so April and late-October trips may not have modern facilities available.
Peak season at Lake Macbride runs May 1 through October 15, with off-peak periods on either side. Summer weekends and holidays fill quickly at lakefront loops, where sites sit close together and privacy is limited. Midweek stays in early summer or September are noticeably quieter.
Winter closes the state park campgrounds entirely, but Lake Macbride trails stay open for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Cross-state firewood transport is discouraged because emerald ash borer has been confirmed in all 99 Iowa counties.
How to book campsites near Ely
Iowa state park campsites at Palisades-Kepler and Lake Macbride are 100 percent reservable, and a reservation is required. Booking runs through the Iowa State Parks system on ReserveAmerica, with reservations available up to three months in advance. Same-day reservations are accepted until 10:00 pm CST on the day of arrival.
Scales Pointe Camping and Boating takes reservations directly through the campground for its full and partial hookup sites, with seasonal spots and reserved sites both available. Cam lo-Dis-E-Ca and Cedar Valley Grove Campground book through their own offices, so contacting them ahead is important.
For summer weekends and holidays, booking as far out as the three-month window allows is the safer approach, especially for lakefront loops and full-hookup sites that turn over first.
What to expect on the ground
Campgrounds around Ely lean toward modest, wooded sites near water rather than large resort layouts. State park loops offer electric hookups, modern restrooms with showers, and a trailer dump station, but sites can be tight and access roads may challenge larger rigs, particularly at Lake Macbride's Modern North.
Privacy varies. The primitive south unit at Lake Macbride sits in a heavily wooded, shaded setting near the water, while modern loops feel more open. Palisades-Kepler has both electric and non-electric sites in a wooded setting above the Cedar River, with historic Civilian Conservation Corps stonework in the day-use area.
Parking is restricted to designated site pads at state parks, fires must stay in provided grills, and swimming is limited to designated beaches. Cell coverage is generally usable but can drop in the deeper river valleys.
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 Ely, 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 Ely, IA?
Campsite prices near Ely, 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 Ely, IA?
Free camping near Ely, 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 Ely, IA?
Camping near Ely, 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 Ely, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Ely, 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 Ely, IA?
Dump stations near Ely, 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 Ely, IA?
Renting a RV in Ely, 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 Ely, IA?
RV rentals in Ely, 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 Ely, 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 Ely, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Ely, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.