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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Gladbrook, IA
29 campgrounds and RV Parks near Gladbrook, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
29 campgrounds
2577 campsites
16 RVs available for delivery
From $20/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Gladbrook, IA
Union Grove State Park
Gladbrook, IA (4 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+4
Rusty Ridge Campground
Toledo, IA (12 miles away)
Meskwaki Casino Resort and RV Park CLOSED
Tama, IA (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
Shady Oaks RV Campground
Marshalltown, IA (14 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
Outback Campground and Resort
Tama, IA (15 miles away)
$$$$$
(130 sites)
+11
Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing
Eldora, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
+4
Pine Lake State Park Campground
Eldora, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+4
Waterloo/Lost Island KOA Resort
Waterloo, IA (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(148 sites)
+6
George Wyth State Park
Waterloo, IA (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(69 sites)
+5
Rock Creek State Park
Kellogg, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(193 sites)
+6
Kellogg RV Park
Kellogg, IA (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(38 sites)
+6
Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey
Newton, IA (38 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+14
Most common amenities
Showers Pet friendly Tables Playground Dump station Toilets Grills Firewood Hiking Internet
Campgrounds near Gladbrook, Iowa
Gladbrook sits in northwest Tama County in central Iowa, about six miles north of the region's main draw for RV campers: Union Grove State Park. The park, established in 1938, centers on the 110-acre Union Grove Lake and offers fishing, hiking, boating, swimming, and bird watching alongside its modern campground. That campground is the closest developed RV option to town and anchors most trip planning in the area.
Beyond Union Grove, RV travelers within an easy drive of Gladbrook have several private options. Rusty Ridge Campground, Shady Oaks RV Campground, and Outback Campground and Resort provide additional sites in the surrounding rural counties, generally with full or partial hookups. The Meskwaki Casino Resort and RV Park is currently closed, so trip plans that once relied on that stop need to be routed elsewhere.
Union Grove State Park is 6 miles south of Gladbrook and 5 miles northwest of Garwin. The park is 16 miles from Marshalltown, 20 miles from Tama, and 18 miles from Toledo, which puts Gladbrook within reach of groceries, fuel, and hospitals without a long detour.
Things to do near Gladbrook
The core activities revolve around Union Grove Lake. Visitors can boat on the lake or swim at the unsupervised beach. Two boat ramps, one near the beach and the other on the west side of the lake, provide access, and the lake is a no-wake lake. Anglers can expect bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, saugeye, walleye, and northern pike.
On land, the park has three miles of scenic trails for hiking and snowmobiling. Deer and turkey are the most commonly seen wildlife, along with song birds and waterfowl. A re-established prairie and a pine plantation sit in the northeast corner of the park.
In town, the annual Gladbrook Corn Carnival is held at the end of June, and Matchstick Marvels features rocket ships, battleships, and Pentagon replicas built entirely of matchsticks by a local resident.
Camping spots and RV parks near Gladbrook, IA
Seasonal info for Gladbrook camping
- spring
March - May
61° / 39°F 90 mmSites open April 1; modern facilities typically from May 1.
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 120 mmPeak season; June is wettest; humid with thunderstorms.
- fall
September - November
59° / 37°F 65 mmCool nights; facilities close mid-October before shutdown.
- winter
December - February
32° / 14°F 25 mmCampground closed Nov 1 to Mar 31; snow and frozen ground.
The RV season in this part of Iowa is tightly bracketed. The Union Grove State Park campground is closed each year from November 1 through March 31, and once open it is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 through October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival. Renters planning shoulder-season trips should expect basic conditions at the edges of that window.
Park staff generally aim to have water on and shower buildings and dump stations open by May 1, and they start closing them down around mid-October depending on weather. Frost-free hydrants may be available for off-season camping, but campers should call the park to confirm. In April and later October, there is no guarantee modern facilities will be available.
Summer is the peak. June brings the region's heaviest rainfall and thunderstorm activity, July and August are hot and humid, and September into mid-October offers cooler nights, lighter crowds, and reliable fishing before facilities shut down for winter.
How to book a campsite near Gladbrook
For Union Grove State Park, reservations are made through the Iowa DNR's online reservation system, operated by ReserveAmerica. Standard campsites can be reserved for today and up to 3 months in advance. Family cabin reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 months in advance. The park office can be reached at 641-473-2556 for questions about closures or last-minute cabin availability.
Private campgrounds in the area, including Rusty Ridge Campground, Shady Oaks RV Campground, and Outback Campground and Resort, generally take bookings directly by phone or through their own websites. For summer weekends and any holiday, book well in advance; weeknight and shoulder-season sites are usually easier to secure on shorter notice.
What to expect
Union Grove is a small, quiet park rather than a resort. The modern campground offers electric and full hook-up (electric, water, sewer) campsites, a modern shower house and restrooms, and a sanitary dump station. Terrain is flat with a mix of shade and open sites, and the lake is visible from much of the campground.
Bring firewood plans in mind: emerald ash borer has been confirmed in all 99 counties in Iowa, and while firewood may be moved legally within the state, buying locally near the park and burning it all during the stay helps protect forests. Pets are welcome but must be leashed and attended.
Gladbrook itself is a small town, so groceries, laundromats, and larger stores are easier to find in Marshalltown, roughly 16 miles away.
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 Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, IA?
Campsite prices near Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, IA?
Free camping near Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, IA?
Camping near Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, IA?
Dump stations near Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, IA?
Renting a RV in Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, IA?
RV rentals in Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, 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 Gladbrook, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Gladbrook, 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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