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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Underwood, IA
33 campgrounds and RV Parks near Underwood, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
33 campgrounds
1966 campsites
10 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Best campgrounds near Underwood, IA
Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino
Council Bluffs, IA (14 miles away)
$$$$$
(42 sites)
Shelby Country Inn and RV Park
Shelby, IA (15 miles away)
$$$$$
(125 sites)
+2
Wilson Island State Recreation Area
Missouri Valley, IA (18 miles away)
$$$$$
(42 sites)
+6
I-29 Hwy 34 Campground
Iowa (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(40 sites)
East - Prairie Rose State Park
Harlan, IA (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(61 sites)
+7
RiverWest Park
Nebraska (32 miles away)
$$$$$
(20 sites)
Schildberg Recreation Area Campground
Atlantic, IA (34 miles away)
Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground
Iowa (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(6 sites)
+7
West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday
Gretna, NE (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(66 sites)
+9
Goldenrod - Two Rivers State Recreation Area
Waterloo, NE (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(56 sites)
+4
Fawn Meadows - Two Rivers State Recreation Area
Waterloo, NE (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(12 sites)
+4
Oak Grove - Two Rivers State Recreation Area
Waterloo, NE (36 miles away)
$$$$$
(16 sites)
+4
Most common amenities
Tables Toilets Showers Playground Grills Dump station Pet friendly Firewood Fishing Hiking
Campgrounds near Underwood, Iowa
Underwood is a small Pottawattamie County town in southwestern Iowa, roughly a fifteen-minute drive north of Council Bluffs and the Omaha metro on Interstate 29. The area sits on the eastern edge of the Loess Hills, a wind-deposited ridge system that runs north-south along the Missouri River floodplain. That geography shapes the camping options: RV travelers can base out of full-service parks near the interstate or head into state and county lands in the hills for quieter, more rustic sites.
Closer-in choices include Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Shelby Country Inn and RV Park along I-80, and the I-29 Hwy 34 Campground for straightforward highway-adjacent stops. For a more natural setting, Wilson Island State Recreation Area sits along the Missouri River next to the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, and Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground gives access to Preparation Canyon State Park and the Loess Hills State Forest.
Most travelers use Underwood as a launch point for Omaha attractions, river recreation, and the scenic byway through the hills.
Things to do near Underwood
Wilson Island State Recreation Area offers hiking and multi-use trails through cottonwood stands, boat access to the Missouri River and its backwater chute, and river fishing for catfish and walleye. The adjoining DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge covers roughly 8,000 acres around a seven-mile oxbow lake and is a major migratory-bird stopover, with the Bertrand steamboat exhibit at its visitor center.
The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway parallels I-29 for about 220 miles, winding past prairie remnants, overlooks, and small river towns. Preparation Canyon State Park and the Loess Hills State Forest, near Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground, add hiking, hunting, and quiet backcountry loops.
Closer to Underwood, Council Bluffs and Omaha put casinos, the Henry Doorly Zoo, and a full range of restaurants and grocery resupply within a short drive.
Camping spots and RV parks near Underwood, IA
Seasonal patterns and closures
- spring
March - May
63° / 41°F 90 mmState parks reopen mid-April; wet, muddy trails
- summer
June - August
84° / 64°F 115 mmHot, humid, thunderstorms; mosquitoes heavy near river
- fall
September - November
63° / 39°F 60 mmBest RV weather; Wilson Island closes mid-October
- winter
December - February
36° / 16°F 22 mmMost public campgrounds closed; eagles along the river
The camping season in this part of Iowa runs roughly April through October. Wilson Island State Recreation Area operates on a fixed seasonal schedule, opening April 15 and closing October 15, and the campground is 100 percent reservable during that window. Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino runs on a similar warm-weather calendar, generally open from late spring into fall, so a winter visit requires calling ahead to confirm access.
Spring brings mud, high water on the Missouri, and prime mushroom hunting in the cottonwood bottoms. Summer is hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; mosquitoes are heavy near the river and in wooded county parks. Fall delivers the most reliable weather for RV travel, with cooler nights and lower bug pressure.
Winter closes most public campgrounds in the area. Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground can be contacted directly about cold-weather stays, and bald eagles are regularly seen perched in the tall cottonwoods along the river during that season.
Top Hosts near Underwood, IA
WP
Wes10 trips - Joined Jul 2022
Wes was great to work with. It was a good experience.
John R. - May 2026
It was great!
Donna S. - Sep 2025
Karen5 trips - Joined Aug 2024
Great space for an RV and included most of what we needed. Karen was easy to communicate with.
Gabriel K. - Jul 2026
Everything about this RV was perfect for our stay! Deliver and picked up with ease and the communication was exceptional! Would rent this RV again and again!
Elisha L. - Aug 2025
How to book
Iowa state park sites, including Wilson Island State Recreation Area, are reserved through the Iowa DNR online reservation system, which is operated on the ReserveAmerica platform. The reservation window opens 3 months in advance, and starting in 2026 every site in the Iowa state park system is reservable. Summer weekends and holidays fill quickly, so booking as early as the window allows is recommended.
Private parks handle their own bookings. Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino takes reservations through the casino directly, Loess Hills Hideaway Cabins and Campground books through its own site, and Shelby Country Inn and RV Park and I-29 Hwy 34 Campground work best by phone for RV renters who need to confirm rig-length and hookup fit.
What to expect on arrival
Sites near the interstate corridor lean utilitarian. Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino is essentially a paved lot behind the casino with 30 and 50 amp electric, water, a dump station, and a separate building for restrooms, showers, and laundry; there is little shade and freeway noise is audible. It suits overnighters and city-based trips more than long stays.
Wilson Island State Recreation Area has electric and non-electric sites, modern restrooms with showers, three youth group areas, and a playground, spread across 544 acres of cottonwood forest. Loess Hills Hideaway has a small number of grassy RV and tent sites with hookups on the lower end of the amp range, so RV renters should call ahead to confirm what services fit their rig.
Cell coverage is generally reliable along I-29 and thinner in the hills.
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 Underwood, 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 Underwood, IA?
Campsite prices near Underwood, 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 Underwood, IA?
Free camping near Underwood, 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 Underwood, IA?
Camping near Underwood, 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 Underwood, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Underwood, 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 Underwood, IA?
Dump stations near Underwood, 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 Underwood, IA?
Renting a RV in Underwood, 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 Underwood, IA?
RV rentals in Underwood, 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 Underwood, 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 Underwood, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Underwood, 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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