Picking the right spot to park your recreational vehicle (RV) can make or break your camping trip. There are many options for RV campers but unless you are into boondocking, RV owners generally have to choose between public (state or county parks) and privately owned RV parks.
Between these two options, there are hundreds of campground options in Iowa and throughout the Midwest. In Iowa, you can make a public campground reservation for an RV campsite by logging in to iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or calling 1-877-427-2757 7:00 am to 7:00 pm (CST) Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (CST) Saturday and Sunday.
For private campsites, a Google search in the area where you want to stay will provide you with local options. Be sure to search multiple review sites because certain private RV parks are better than others are and RV campers love to share their experiences online, good and bad. For big events like our Ketelsen Camping Club weekends, we’ve always enjoyed private RV campgrounds like the Amana RV Park in Amana, IA and the Des Moines West KOA.
Pros and Cons of Public Owned State and County Parks
Campgrounds in public parks are almost always less expensive than private RV parks. In addition, the RV campsites in state and county parks are usually more spacious and private. Of course, you are actually in a park so the scenery is better and there are usually more outdoor activities available like fishing, boating, biking and more.
Rules are stricter at a public campground, however. For instance, noise heard within 120 feet or three campsites is considered unreasonable and is prohibited between the hours of 10:30 pm and 6:00 am. In addition, most of these camps close at 10:30 p.m. so visitors must be out by then. The maximum reservation is 14 consecutive days.
Pros and Cons of Private RV Parks
Private RV parks are located all over the U.S. In many instances, you’ll find them in town or close to town and they are often located close to major entertainment venues like amusement parks, sporting arenas and major tourist attractions. The parks may have more amenities like club houses, pools, regularly scheduled programming for children or group events, and theme weekends.
Private RV parks will rent out spaces for as long as you want to stay. Those renters with long term or season long rentals may also have patio options with outdoor furniture, grills, and additional storage options. Private RV parks are usually more expensive and the lots are smaller and more closely spaced.
Each To Their Own
What is the best RV campground in Iowa or the Midwest? It’s hard to say. Whether you are driving a travel trailer, a fifth-wheel or a full size top of the line RV, every vacation and every campground is different. We recommend trying many different campgrounds to find out what works best for your family.
At Ketelsen RV, we’re RV vacation specialists because RVs are our business. If you have any questions, or if you’d like to take an RV for a test drive, call or stop by today and one of our RV experts will be happy to answer all your questions.
