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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Mapleton, IA
17 campgrounds and RV Parks near Mapleton, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
17 campgrounds
1235 campsites
12 RVs available for delivery
From $45/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Mapleton, IA
On-Ur-Wa RV Park
Onawa, IA (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(44 sites)
+6
Onawa / Blue Lake KOA Holiday
Onawa, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(110 sites)
+9
Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground
Iowa (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(6 sites)
+7
Lewis And Clark State Park
Onawa, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(106 sites)
+5
Sunset at Blue Oasis RV Park - Onawa
Onawa, IA (22 miles away)
+2
Black Hawk State Park
Lake View, IA (40 miles away)
$$$$$
(128 sites)
+5
Stone State Park
Sioux City, IA (44 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+4
Sioux City North KOA Holiday
North Sioux City, SD (44 miles away)
$$$$$
(100 sites)
+11
Sunrise Campgrounds
Storm Lake, IA (45 miles away)
$$$$$
(164 sites)
+5
Park Jeff Campground
North Sioux City, SD (47 miles away)
Blue Ox Factory and RV Park
Pender, NE (48 miles away)
$$$$$
(14 sites)
Wilson Island State Recreation Area
Missouri Valley, IA (48 miles away)
$$$$$
(42 sites)
+6
Most common amenities
Pet friendly Tables Toilets Playground Showers Grills Dump station Internet Firewood Hiking
Camping near Mapleton, Iowa
Mapleton sits in Monona County in western Iowa, on the eastern edge of the Loess Hills, a distinctive band of wind-deposited bluffs that runs along the Missouri River valley. The town is a practical base for RV travelers heading to Blue Lake, the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and the wildlife areas around Preparation Canyon. Interstate 29 lies roughly 30 miles west via Highway 175, giving straightforward big-rig access from Sioux City to the north and Council Bluffs and Omaha to the south.
Camping options within an easy drive range from a state park on Blue Lake to private RV parks and rustic cabin sites in the hills. Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground was established in 1997, and Steve Gallucci and Lacy Arteaga assumed ownership in January 2025. Closer to the interstate, Onawa / Blue Lake KOA Holiday, On-Ur-Wa RV Park, and Sunset at Blue Oasis RV Park - Onawa cluster around the Blue Lake area near Lewis And Clark State Park.
The region is quiet, agricultural, and shaped by prairie and hardwood forest, with terrain that is genuinely hilly by Iowa standards.
Things to do around Mapleton
Blue Lake is the recreational anchor of the area. The 250-acre oxbow lake at Lewis And Clark State Park allows boating with no motor-size restrictions, has a double boat ramp, a swimming beach, and fishing for panfish, bass, channel catfish, and northern pike. A full-size reproduction of the Lewis and Clark keelboat is on display in the park, built by local volunteers and park staff.
The Loess Hills themselves offer hiking and scenic driving. Preparation Canyon State Park and the surrounding Loess Hills State Forest, which offers roughly 12,000 acres of public land for hiking and deer and turkey hunting, sit only a few miles from the Loess Hills Hideaway property. In June, the Onawa area hosts a Lewis and Clark Festival with a keelboat display, quilt show, and reenactments, and Blackbird Bend Casino is a short drive from the lake.
Camping spots and RV parks near Mapleton, IA
When to visit Mapleton
- spring
March - May
60° / 39°F 68 mmWet and stormy; May is the rainiest month
- summer
June - August
83° / 62°F 100 mmWarm, humid, buggy; lakeside sites fill fast
- fall
September - November
61° / 39°F 56 mmCool nights; Loess Hills color peaks in October
- winter
December - February
31° / 18°F 21 mmCold and snowy; state park campground closed
The main RV season in western Iowa runs from mid-spring through mid-fall. The Lewis and Clark State Park campground accepts reservations April through October and is closed November through March. Onawa / Blue Lake KOA Holiday is open April 15 to October 15, weather permitting, and its pool operates from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Summer weekends and holiday periods draw the heaviest demand around Blue Lake.
Spring brings rapid greening and the region's wettest stretch, with May typically the rainiest month. Trails can be muddy, and severe thunderstorms are possible from late spring into midsummer. Summer is warm and humid, with peak biting-insect activity near the lake and marshes.
Fall is often the best window for touring the Loess Hills, with cooler nights, lower humidity, and hardwood color through October. Winter is cold and quiet: Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground stays open year-round, while state park camping is closed.
How to book a campsite near Mapleton
Lewis And Clark State Park uses the Iowa DNR reservation system, with bookings taken up to three months in advance through the online portal. All of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required; sites for summer weekends and holidays should be locked in as soon as the window opens, as Iowa state park sites fill quickly.
Onawa / Blue Lake KOA Holiday books through the KOA website, app, or phone, and all holiday weekends require a three-day minimum stay. Deposits on holiday weekends are non-refundable under the campground's cancellation policy.
Loess Hills Hideaway takes reservations through the CampLife platform, and the smaller private RV parks near Onawa, including On-Ur-Wa RV Park and Sunset at Blue Oasis RV Park - Onawa, handle bookings by phone or through their own online systems.
What to expect on an RV trip near Mapleton
Hookups and amenities vary widely across the area. The Lewis And Clark State Park campground has modern restrooms and showers, roughly 100 electric-only sites and 12 full-hookup sites along the lakeshore, and a trailer dump station on site. Onawa / Blue Lake KOA Holiday near Blue Lake offers pull-through sites with full hookups and a maximum pull-through length of about 95 feet.
Rustic options trade hookups for privacy. Loess Hills Hideaway has six grassy RV and tent sites with gravel pads and 30 to 35-amp electric hookups, no on-site water fills or sewer connections, and can accommodate rigs up to about 32 feet.
Roads to the state park and KOA are paved; some private and rustic campgrounds are reached by gravel county roads, which is worth noting for larger motorhomes and towables.
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 Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA?
Campsite prices near Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA?
Free camping near Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA?
Camping near Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA?
Dump stations near Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA?
Renting a RV in Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA?
RV rentals in Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, 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 Mapleton, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Mapleton, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.