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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Gilbertville, IA
36 campgrounds and RV Parks near Gilbertville, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
36 campgrounds
3102 campsites
16 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Gilbertville, IA
Waterloo/Lost Island KOA Resort
Waterloo, IA (6 miles away)
$$$$$
(148 sites)
+6
George Wyth State Park
Waterloo, IA (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(69 sites)
+5
Morwood Campground and Resort
Hazleton, IA (19 miles away)
$$$$$
(114 sites)
+6
Lakeshore RV Resort and Campground
Oelwein, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(100 sites)
+8
Unhitched Lazy Acres RV Park
Center Point, IA (22 miles away)
(103 sites)
BEYONDER Getaway at Lazy Acres
Center Point, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(46 sites)
+12
Pleasant Creek State Recreational Area
Palo, IA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+5
Union Grove State Park
Gladbrook, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+4
Rusty Ridge Campground
Toledo, IA (34 miles away)
Outback Campground and Resort
Tama, IA (37 miles away)
$$$$$
(130 sites)
+11
Wilder Park
Allison, IA (37 miles away)
+7
South Lake - Backbone State Park
Iowa (37 miles away)
$$$$$
(98 sites)
+5
Most common amenities
Tables Showers Pet friendly Grills Dump station Playground Toilets Firewood Hiking Trails
Campgrounds near Gilbertville, Iowa
Gilbertville sits just southeast of Waterloo in Black Hawk County, placing RV travelers within a short drive of the Cedar Valley's lakes, trails, and state parks. The area blends urban conveniences in Waterloo and Cedar Falls with quieter rural campgrounds along the Cedar River and nearby lakes.
Options range from full-service resorts to state-park sites. Waterloo/Lost Island KOA Resort offers full-hookup RV sites and cabins across from the Lost Island Waterpark, while George Wyth State Park provides electric and non-electric sites inside an urban wildlife sanctuary with four lakes and connections to a regional trail network. Morwood Campground and Resort, Lakeshore RV Resort and Campground, and BEYONDER Getaway at Lazy Acres round out the mix with additional private options in the surrounding countryside.
Most RVers use Gilbertville as a base for lake days, biking the Cedar Valley Trails, and family trips to attractions across the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro.
Things to do near Gilbertville
Water recreation drives most trips. George Wyth State Park centers on four lakes: Brinker Lake, George Wyth Lake, Fisher Lake, and Alice Wyth Lake, with fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing all popular. Brinker Lake is open for power boating after 9 a.m., George Wyth Lake is a no-wake lake with a universally accessible fishing pier, and the beach on George Wyth Lake is one of the most popular swimming spots in the area.
Cyclists and hikers have miles of connected paths. George Wyth has 3.5 miles of paved multi-purpose trails plus 10 miles of soft trails, linked to a 100-mile trail network across Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Families staying at Waterloo/Lost Island KOA Resort can walk to the adjacent Lost Island Waterpark, and the KOA's own Aloha Lake adds fishing, paddleboats, and kayaks on site.
Camping spots and RV parks near Gilbertville, IA
Seasonal info for Gilbertville camping
- spring
March - May
57° / 37°F 87 mmParks reopen by May 1; thunderstorm and tornado risk climbs
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 120 mmPeak season; lake sites and KOA book out fast
- fall
September - November
61° / 41°F 65 mmCooler and drier; George Wyth closes November 1
- winter
December - February
30° / 16°F 25 mmCampground closed; snow and hard freezes common
The main camping season runs late spring through mid-fall. At George Wyth State Park, peak season runs May 1 through October 15, and the campground is 100% reservable with no first-come, first-served sites. The George Wyth campground is closed January 1 through March 31, off-peak in April and late October, and closed again November 1 through December 31.
Summer weekends and holidays draw the heaviest demand around the Cedar Valley lakes, and sites closest to the Cedar River fill quickly during peak season, though the park sees lighter crowds during fall and early spring. Park staff generally have water, showers, and dump stations open by May 1 and start closing them around mid-October, so shoulder-season campers should confirm modern facilities before arrival.
Spring and early summer bring severe weather risk. Thunderstorms and tornadoes can occur across northeast Iowa in the warm months, so travelers should build shelter plans into any spring or summer trip.
How to book a campsite near Gilbertville
State-park sites use the Iowa DNR system. Advance campsite reservations can be made online through the Iowa State Parks reservation system at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com for George Wyth State Park, and the campground is 100% reservable with a reservation required. Iowa DNR campsites can be booked up to 3 months in advance of the arrival date, with same-day bookings accepted until 10 p.m. Central; cabins, shelters, and lodges follow a longer 12-month window.
Private resorts book directly. Waterloo/Lost Island KOA Resort takes reservations through the KOA website or by phone. Morwood Campground and Resort, Lakeshore RV Resort and Campground, and BEYONDER Getaway at Lazy Acres each handle their own booking channels, so contact the property directly to confirm site type, hookups, and rig-length limits before locking in dates.
What to expect
Sites in the area lean toward developed and family-oriented rather than remote. George Wyth's 74-site campground includes 47 electric sites with 20/30/50 amp hookups, 13 non-electric sites, 6 tent-only sites, 3 walk-to sites, and a youth group site, with picnic tables, fire rings, modern restrooms with showers, a dump station, and water hydrants throughout the loop. At Waterloo/Lost Island KOA, RV sites offer full hookups with cable and Wi-Fi, and the on-site Aloha Lake adds fishing, swimming, paddleboats, and kayaks.
Expect an urban-adjacent setting, not backcountry. Mosquitoes can be heavy during warmer months due to nearby standing water, and highway and rail noise carries into the George Wyth campground. Emerald ash borer has been confirmed in all 99 counties in Iowa, so while firewood may be moved legally within the state, buying local firewood is still the safer choice.
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 Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, IA?
Campsite prices near Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, IA?
Free camping near Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, IA?
Camping near Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, IA?
Dump stations near Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, IA?
Renting a RV in Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, IA?
RV rentals in Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, 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 Gilbertville, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Gilbertville, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.