Campgrounds and RV parks near Mount Vernon, IA

The Cedar River is the central draw. Anglers fish for numerous species in the Cedar River, including channel catfish, bass and walleye, often by boat or along the shore near the old dam, and a modern boat ramp provides convenient access to the river. Five miles of rugged trails at Palisades-Kepler take visitors through diverse wildlife and forest habitats, and in the spring a variety of wildflowers can be spotted along the trails. At Lake Macbride State Park, families can swim at a designated beach, rent boats, or ride the multi-use trail system. Lake Macbride State Park is Iowa's largest state park, where 2,180 acres offers a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hiking, and picnicking. Historic downtown Mount Vernon, home to Cornell College, offers cafes, shops, and a walkable main street for a break from the campground.

The RV camping season here runs roughly April through mid-November, with exact windows varying by park. The Palisades-Kepler campground accepts reservations April 1 through November 15 and is closed November 16 through March 31. Wapsipinicon accepts reservations April 1 through October 31 and is closed November 1 through March 31. Lake Macbride follows a similar April-through-mid-November pattern. Spring brings wildflowers, migrating waterfowl, and rising river levels; expect wet trails and occasional site closures after heavy rain. Summer is the busiest stretch, with warm, humid days and family demand across all nearby parks. Weekends and holidays fill early, so book well ahead. Fall delivers cooler nights, hardwood color along the bluffs, and thinner crowds. Park staff generally try to have the water on and shower buildings and dump stations open by May 1, and generally start closing down shower buildings and turning off water and dump stations around mid-October depending upon the weather. Late-season campers should confirm hookup availability before arrival.

Facilities vary by park. The Palisades-Kepler campground contains electrical hookups, a modern shower, restroom facilities and a trailer dump station. At Lake Macbride, the northern modern campground houses 32 standard electric sites and 11 full-hookup sites with water and sewer connections, and these sites accommodate rigs up to 60 feet in length. The primitive area in the southern unit at Lake Macbride is best suited to smaller rigs and self-contained camping. Sites along the Cedar and Wapsipinicon rivers are shaded and set on uneven terrain, so leveling blocks are useful. Cell coverage is generally adequate near Mount Vernon and Cedar Rapids but can drop inside wooded valleys. Swimming at Lake Macbride is restricted to the designated beach area, and campers should exercise caution around river currents on the Cedar.