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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Kanawha, IA
24 campgrounds and RV Parks near Kanawha, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
24 campgrounds
1692 campsites
23 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Kanawha, IA
Mcintosh Woods State Park
Ventura, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(49 sites)
+6
Oakwood RV Park
Clear Lake, IA (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(90 sites)
+6
Clear Lake State Park
Clear Lake, IA (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(200 sites)
+7
3 Fingers Campground
Forest City, IA (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(106 sites)
+5
Ambrose A Call State Park
Algona, IA (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(16 sites)
+3
Pilot Knob State Park
Forest City, IA (25 miles away)
$$$$$
(60 sites)
+5
Corn Patch Corner Campground / RV Park
Rockwell, IA (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(17 sites)
Beeds Lake State Park
Hampton, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(144 sites)
+6
The Grotto of the Redemption RV Park
West Bend, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(53 sites)
+6
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - North Equestrian
Iowa (38 miles away)
$$$$$
(125 sites)
+2
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Beach
Iowa (39 miles away)
$$$$$
(47 sites)
+2
Happy Times Resort
Lake Mills, IA (40 miles away)
$$$$$
(100 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Showers Grills Dump station Tables Toilets Playground Pet friendly Firewood Hiking Trails
Kanawha camping overview
Kanawha sits in Hancock County in north-central Iowa, surrounded by farmland and within easy driving distance of the Clear Lake region and several Iowa Department of Natural Resources parks. The town itself does not have a large campground inside its limits, so most RV travelers base their trips at state parks and private RV parks a short drive away.
The closest options include 3 Fingers Campground and Oakwood RV Park for private-site camping, plus Iowa state parks that offer modern hookups and lake access. Mcintosh Woods State Park and Clear Lake State Park sit on the shore of Clear Lake, a natural glacial lake of roughly 3,684 acres on the northwest and south shores respectively. Pilot Knob State Park lies to the east near Forest City, offering wooded sites and one of Iowa's most unusual natural features.
Together these campgrounds give travelers a mix of lakeside sites, wooded state-park loops, and private parks with hookups, all within a manageable drive from Kanawha.
Things to do near Kanawha
Clear Lake is the main draw. Boating, fishing for walleye and yellow bass, swimming, and sailing are all popular on this large natural lake. Clear Lake State Park has a sandy swimming beach and easy beach access from the campground, while Mcintosh Woods State Park adds a boat ramp, two fishing jetties, a fish cleaning station, and a boardwalk trail through mallard marsh to a wildlife viewing blind.
At Pilot Knob State Park, visitors can climb the CCC-era stone observation tower, hike trails through the wooded uplands, and see Dead Man's Lake, a four-acre floating sphagnum bog that is the only one of its kind in Iowa. The park's 15-acre man-made Pilot Knob Lake allows fishing and electric-motor boating.
Camping spots and RV parks near Kanawha, IA
Kanawha seasonal patterns
- spring
March - May
57° / 36°F 75 mmParks reopen; cool nights and wet weather
- summer
June - August
81° / 59°F 110 mmPeak season; Clear Lake sites fill weeks out
- fall
September - November
57° / 37°F 60 mmCooler and drier; quieter campgrounds through October
- winter
December - February
28° / 10°F 25 mmFreezing and snowy; lakeside state park campgrounds closed
The camping season in north-central Iowa runs mainly from spring through fall. Clear Lake State Park's campground operates from April through November and closes December through March. Mcintosh Woods State Park is closed January through March and typically reopens in mid-May after off-peak April operations, with peak season running May through mid-October. Pilot Knob State Park stays open year-round for tent, RV, and winter recreation use.
Summer is peak season. Clear Lake State Park is one of the most heavily used campgrounds in the Iowa state park system, and beach-adjacent sites fill early on weekends and holidays. Mcintosh Woods recently completed a renovation that upgraded electrical service and improved shower facilities.
Winter brings cold temperatures and snow, but activity does not stop. Pilot Knob offers a reservable warming house with heat and electricity for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers, and Mcintosh Woods is a popular base for ice fishing and cross-country skiing on and around Clear Lake.
How to book near Kanawha
Iowa state park campsites are reserved through the state's ReserveAmerica system at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or by calling 1-877-427-2757. Reservations for state park campgrounds can be made up to three months in advance, and roughly one-quarter of sites at parks like Mcintosh Woods are held for first-come, first-served walk-in campers.
Emerald ash borer has now been confirmed in all 99 Iowa counties, and the statewide EAB firewood quarantine has been lifted, but campers are still encouraged to buy firewood locally to limit the spread of forest pests. For private campgrounds such as 3 Fingers Campground and Oakwood RV Park, book directly with the operator.
What to expect on-site
State-park campgrounds in this area offer modern restrooms, hot showers, and trailer dump stations. Clear Lake State Park has around 155 sites with a mix of non-electric, electric, and a small number of full hookup sites with 20, 30, and 50-amp service, plus two dump stations. Mcintosh Woods has about 45 electric sites and four non-electric sites, with recent upgrades to electrical service and shower facilities, plus two yurts that are the only ones in the Iowa state park system. Pilot Knob offers a mix of electric and non-electric sites with a dump station.
Pets must be leashed and attended, and generator and quiet hours are enforced overnight. Alcohol is prohibited in Iowa state parks.
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Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, IA?
Campsite prices near Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, IA?
Free camping near Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, IA?
Camping near Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, IA?
Dump stations near Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, IA?
Renting a RV in Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, IA?
RV rentals in Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, 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 Kanawha, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Kanawha, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
Nearby cities with campgrounds
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