Top Camping & RV Parks Near Ellston, IA: Tent Sites & Outdoor Adventures Await!
Nestled in the serene landscape of Ellston, IA, outdoor enthusiasts can explore a variety of camping options that cater to RV, tent, and dispersed campers alike. The picturesque terrain features gently rolling hills and tranquil lakes, making it an ideal backdrop for nature lovers. For those seeking RV camping, the secluded Lake of Three Fires State Park offers spacious sites with electric hookups, along with access to hiking trails and pristine waters for fishing and boating. Tent campers will revel in the peaceful surroundings at Penny's Creek Campground, which provides shaded sites near bubbling brooks, perfect for a family getaway. Moreover, adventurous souls can experience remote dispersed camping in the nearby Cedar Creek Wildlife Area, where they can immerse themselves in the untouched beauty of the Iowa wilderness. Whether you choose to camp by the water or under the stars, Ellston is a hidden gem that promises a memorable outdoor experience.

















Bridgeview Campground in Appanoose County is located 1 hr 29 min southeast of Des Moines, IA with an elevation of 976 feet. There are a total of 104 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 102 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 89 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 93 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $44.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports, rock climbing.
Island View Campground in Appanoose County is located 1 hr 39 min southeast of Des Moines, IA with an elevation of 936 feet. There are a total of 192 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 188 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 36 and 130 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 190 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $125.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Bob Shetler Rec Area in Polk County is located just 16 min west of Ankeny, IA with an elevation of 809 feet. There are a total of 67 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $22.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, marina, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Prairie Ridge Campground in Appanoose County is located 1 hr 33 min southeast of Des Moines, IA with an elevation of 939 feet. There are a total of 56 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 54 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 45 and 90 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 53 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Buck Creek Campground in Appanoose County is located 1 hr 31 min southeast of Des Moines, IA with an elevation of 944 feet. There are a total of 42 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 43 and 128 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $25.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, marina, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Acorn Valley Campground in Polk County is located just 20 min west of Ankeny, IA with an elevation of 951 feet. There are a total of 85 campsites including 55 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. 29 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 72 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 1 site has electric and water hookups. 29 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $84.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, marina, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cherry Glen Campground in Polk County is located just 10 min west of Ankeny, IA with an elevation of 934 feet. There are a total of 125 campsites including 1 boat site. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 93 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $26.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, swimming, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports, disc golf.
Prairie Flower Rec Area in Polk County is located just 11 min west of Ankeny, IA with an elevation of 937 feet. There are a total of 252 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 85 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 2 sites have electric and water hookups. 250 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $308.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, marina, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Whitebreast Camp in Marion County is located 55 min east of Des Moines, IA with an elevation of 815 feet. There are a total of 107 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to the beginning of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 68 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $240.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, swimming, amphitheater. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Howell Station Campground in Marion County is located 1 hr east of Des Moines, IA with an elevation of 702 feet. There are a total of 135 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 49 and 93 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $22.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, amphitheater. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Wallashuck Campground in Marion County is located 55 min east of Des Moines, IA with an elevation of 822 feet. There are a total of 79 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 33 and 82 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
North Overlook Camp in Marion County is located 53 min east of Des Moines, IA with an elevation of 818 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to the beginning of October. 43 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 46 and 84 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 43 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, amphitheater. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Love's RV Hookup-Cameron MO 837 in Clinton County is located 37 min east of St. Joseph, MO with an elevation of 1,013 feet. There are a total of 6 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. All sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, wifi, general store, laundry facility, restroom, gasoline pump, ice, flush toilets, pet area.
Love's RV Hookup-St. Joseph MO 235 in Buchanan County is located just 10 min southeast of St. Joseph, MO with an elevation of 970 feet. There are a total of 6 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 50 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, wifi, general store, laundry facility, restroom, gasoline pump, ice, pet area.
Love's RV Hookup-Bates City MO 809 in Lafayette County is located just 16 min east of Blue Springs, MO with an elevation of 840 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, wifi, general store, laundry facility, restroom, gasoline pump, ice, flush toilets.
Battle of Athens Campground is part of Battle of Athens State Historic Site in Missouri (1 hr 12 min northwest of Quincy, IL) with an elevation of 634 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 40 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 15 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $27.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, firewood. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails.
Old Town Campground in Jefferson County is located 32 min northeast of Topeka, KS with an elevation of 907 feet. There are a total of 62 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of March to the end of November. 61 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 37 and 96 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 32 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $12.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include playground. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Longview Campground in Jefferson County is located 40 min northeast of Topeka, KS with an elevation of 1,020 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. Prices start at $125.00 per night. Some amenities include shower. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Slough Creek Campground in Jefferson County is located 34 min northwest of Lawrence, KS with an elevation of 1,021 feet. There are a total of 211 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid October. 210 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 72 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 86 sites have electric and water hookups. 43 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, playground. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Arrow Rock Campground is part of Arrow Rock State Park in Missouri (46 min west of Columbia, MO) with an elevation of 691 feet. There are a total of 47 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 31 and 67 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 35 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $33.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Rock Creek Campground in Jefferson County is located just 27 min east of Topeka, KS with an elevation of 915 feet. There are a total of 102 campsites including 10 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 88 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 59 sites have electric and water hookups. 2 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, playground. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Sugar Bottom Campground in Johnson County is located 31 min north of Iowa City, IA with an elevation of 689 feet. There are a total of 216 campsites including 14 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 202 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 36 and 89 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 24 sites have electric and water hookups. 178 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $200.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Linder Point Campground in Johnson County is located just 15 min north of Iowa City, IA with an elevation of 803 feet. There are a total of 17 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 58 and 85 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 7 sites have electric and water hookups. 10 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $26.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Sandy Beach Camp in Johnson County is located just 21 min southeast of Cedar Rapids, IA with an elevation of 726 feet. There are a total of 58 campsites including 8 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 50 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 71 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 2 sites have electric and water hookups. 48 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $24.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Cottonwood Campground in Johnson County is located just 15 min north of Iowa City, IA with an elevation of 722 feet. There are a total of 11 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the end of August. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $14.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
West Overlook Campground in Johnson County is located just 15 min north of Iowa City, IA with an elevation of 764 feet. There are a total of 89 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 32 and 73 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 19 sites have electric and water hookups. 70 sites have electric hookups. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Tailwater West Campground in Johnson County is located just 14 min north of Iowa City, IA with an elevation of 679 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. 20 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 69 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 20 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $14.00 to $26.00. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Tailwater East Campground in Johnson County is located just 13 min north of Iowa City, IA with an elevation of 743 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 42 and 68 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $22.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Bloomington West Group Campground in Douglas County is located 30 min west of Lawrence, KS with an elevation of 961 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of April to mid October. Prices start at $140.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, laundry facility, playground, boat ramp, swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Bloomington East Campground in Douglas County is located 30 min southwest of Lawrence, KS with an elevation of 911 feet. There are a total of 290 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to mid October. 286 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 113 sites have electric and water hookups. 78 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $16.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, laundry facility, playground, boat ramp, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.