Campgrounds and RV parks near Hudson, IA

Water is the main draw. Four lakes at George Wyth State Park support fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing, and the beach on George Wyth Lake is one of the most popular swimming spots in the area, with wind surfing also popular. At Union Grove State Park, anglers find bluegill, bass, crappie, catfish, saugeye, walleye and northern pike in the 110-acre lake, and two boat ramps and an unsupervised swimming beach round out the lake day. Cyclists have unusually good options for the Midwest. George Wyth's trail system links to a 100-mile trail network that connects playgrounds, lakes, shopping districts and neighborhoods between Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Waterloo/Lost Island KOA Resort sits next to Lost Island Water Park, and rainy days work well for the Grout Museum District and the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

The camping window here is short but reliable. Peak season at George Wyth State Park runs May 1 through October 15, and the campground is 100 percent reservable with no first-come, first-served sites. Both George Wyth and Union Grove campgrounds close each year from November 1 through March 31, which is typical of Iowa state park campgrounds in this region. Summer is warm, humid, and busy, and thunderstorms are common. Severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes, can occur, especially in the spring and summer months. Late spring and early fall bring cooler nights and lighter crowds, and fall foliage along the Cedar River is a draw in late September and October. Winter shuts most sites down, but day use continues. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking are popular winter trail activities at George Wyth, and Union Grove's trails see snowmobile traffic. RV renters should confirm shoulder-season water and shower availability before booking, since some facilities close earlier than the campground gates.

Expect flat to gently rolling terrain, deciduous woods, and easy pavement access from U.S. 20 and U.S. 218. At George Wyth, the 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 and fire rings at all sites, modern restrooms with showers, a dump station, and water hydrants throughout. Mosquitoes can be heavy during warmer months due to standing water, and nearby train tracks add to the nighttime noise profile for tent campers. Union Grove offers electric and full-hookup sites plus two modern year-round cabins, a modern shower house and restrooms, and a dump station, and its lake setting is quieter than the Waterloo-area parks. Waterloo/Lost Island KOA is the most amenity-heavy option in the group. One practical note for every stop: emerald ash borer has been confirmed in all 99 counties in Iowa, and moving firewood can spread pests, so buy firewood locally and burn it on site.