Campgrounds and RV parks near Richland, IA

Water recreation anchors most trips. At Lake Darling, any size motor is allowed at no-wake speed, two boat ramps provide lake access, and a swim beach opens for summer use. Anglers target catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, bullheads, bluegills, and carp. Hikers get real mileage here. A 13.6-mile trail encircles the entire lake at Lake Darling, passing wetlands, successional woodlands, remnants of native prairie, and an 1800s cemetery. At Lacey Keosauqua State Park, 13 miles of trails wind through valleys and cliffs along the Des Moines River, spring bird watching is popular, and a series of Native American burial mounds from the Woodland Culture overlook the river. Off-park, the historic river villages of Van Buren County are worth a stop, and the Scenic Drive Festival draws crowds during the second weekend of October.

The camping calendar in southeast Iowa is short and clearly defined. The Lake Darling campground is closed each year from November 1 through March 31, and during the open season it is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 through October 31 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival. The Lacey Keosauqua State Park campground follows the same window, closed November 1 through March 31 and 100 percent reservable April 1 through October 31. Shoulder-season campers should plan carefully. Park staff generally try to have water on and shower buildings and dump stations open by May 1, and start closing them around mid-October depending on weather. Frost-free hydrants may be available for off-season camping, but campers need to call the park to confirm, and there is no guarantee modern facilities will be available in April or later October. Peak demand runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, with fall color and the second-weekend-of-October Scenic Drive Festival in Van Buren County drawing another surge of bookings.

State-park campgrounds in this corner of Iowa are modern but rustic. Lake Darling State Park has a large well-equipped campground featuring full hook-up (sewer, water, electric), electric, and non-electric sites with modern shower and restroom facilities, plus a playground and a conveniently located dump station. Lacey Keosauqua State Park has 65 campsites, 51 with electricity and 14 without, along with modern restrooms, a shower house, dump station, and playground; of the 51 electric sites, 13 have sewer and water hook-ups and 10 have water hook-ups. Sites at Lacey Keosauqua State Park are heavily shaded by hardwoods and arranged in a series of small interlocking loops. Expect quiet hours, leashed pets, and a firewood rule: buy firewood locally near the park and burn it all during the stay, since using local firewood is one of the best ways to slow the spread of forest pests.