Ambrose A. Call State Park

4.19

16 reviews

2007 Call Park Dr., Algona, Iowa, 50511, United States

Romantic GetawayPeace & Quiet

Quick Facts

1,227 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyElectric

Opens Pilot Knob State Park site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,227 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyElectric

Opens Pilot Knob State Park site

Official Website

Get Directions

Ambrose A. Call State Park

$10.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Electric campsites are $20 per night. Tent sites are $10 per night. Two user reviews mention different pricing: $16 for electric and $10 for tent,...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

Hookup Site Fee$20.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.19

Satisfactory

Based on 16 reviews

99 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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"User reviews for Ambrose A. Call State Park are generally positive, with many praising its quiet atmosphere, beautiful trails, and helpful camp hosts. However, complaints about the lack of modern amenities such as showers and dump stations are frequent."

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Campground Map

2007 Call Park Dr., Algona, Iowa, 50511, United States

Ambrose A. Call State Park

2007 Call Park Dr., Algona, Iowa, 50511, United States

Driving directionsOn Hwy. 169 on the south end of Algona turn west onto Call Park Drive and go about 2 miles.

Accessible via paved roads on Call Park Drive, about 2 miles west from Hwy. 169. No specific seasonal closures or challenging terrain mentioned.

Nearby places

Algona (approximately 1.5 miles southwest)

other nearby population centers are not specified.

Nearby supplies

Less than 1 mile swimming pool and tennis facilities

greater than 1 mile for dining, fuel, grocery stores, retail shops, and town amenities in Algona.

Best Time to Camp at Ambrose A. Call State Park

Experience the park's dramatic seasonal transformations throughout the year. Winter blankets the hills in pristine snow, with temperatures that can dip to single digits and create a crystalline wonderland perfect for quiet contemplation. Come summer, the forest comes alive under warm sunshine, with comfortable temperatures hovering in the low 80s during the day and cooling to the pleasant 60s at night—ideal conditions for evening campfires and stargazing.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Shaded, pleasant summer camping but limited modern amenities and water access reported.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in IA

Reviews specifically praise fall colors and vibrant deer sightings; especially pleasant in autumn.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Wildflowers on the forest floor and awakening wildlife make spring appealing for visitors.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.5 / 5

Top 9% in IA

Open year-round with cross-country skiing and scenic snow-covered ravines; cold temperatures noted.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Not specified.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round; no specific open or closed periods mentioned.
Current Alerts: No current alerts or advisories mentioned.

About Ambrose A. Call State Park

Tucked away in Iowa's countryside, Ambrose A. Call State Park offers a peaceful retreat where rugged wooded hills rise unexpectedly from the surrounding farmland. This intimate park invites visitors to step back in time, exploring winding trails through virgin timber while enjoying simple pleasures like traditional camping under ancient canopies.

Ambrose A. Call State Park offers a mix of camping options, including tent and RV sites, with first-come-first-serve availability. Group camping, cabin lodging, and glamping are not offered.

Historical SignificanceThis cherished parkland honors the pioneering spirit of brothers Ambrose and Asa Call, who carved out their homestead as Kossuth County's very first settlers. Their legacy lives on in these protected hills, where visitors can connect with Iowa's frontier heritage while walking the same lands that welcomed the county's earliest European inhabitants.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the park's dramatic seasonal transformations throughout the year. Winter blankets the hills in pristine snow, with temperatures that can dip to single digits and create a crystalline wonderland perfect for quiet contemplation. Come summer, the forest comes alive under warm sunshine, with comfortable temperatures hovering in the low 80s during the day and cooling to the pleasant 60s at night—ideal conditions for evening campfires and stargazing.

ElevationThe park's terrain offers gentle elevation changes that create intimate valleys and scenic overlooks throughout the property, though specific elevation data has not been documented in available records.

Natural Features and SceneryDiscover an enchanting landscape where ancient trees tower over deep ravines and a meandering creek whispers through the valleys. This rare pocket of virgin timber creates a natural sanctuary where wildflowers paint the forest floor in seasonal colors and white-tailed deer emerge at dawn and dusk. The dramatic topography stands in stunning contrast to the gentle farmland beyond, earning its reputation as a true woodland oasis.

Geological RegionRising like an island of wilderness from Iowa's agricultural heartland, these rugged hills form a remarkable geological anomaly near the east fork of the Des Moines River. The park preserves a rare glimpse of Iowa's pre-settlement landscape, where virgin hardwood forests crown steep ravines and create a topography more reminiscent of the state's northeastern bluffs than its typical prairie terrain.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Not specified.

Check-out

Not specified.

Stay Limit

Not specified.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Not specified.

Groups

Group camping sites are not available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSmall campground described as secluded with plenty of shade and sites better suited for tents or small trailers.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are not possible; self-registration applies.

Walk-in AvailabilitySites are first-come, first-served; no reservation system in place.

Cancellation PolicyReservations not accepted, self-registration only. No cancellation policy mentioned.

AccessibilityHandicap access is noted as available at the park, although specific accessibility features for the campsites or trails are not detailed in the authoritative content or user reviews.

Site SizeMost campsites are small and suitable for tents, popups, or small trailers. A few larger sites are available, but maneuvering into them may be challenging due to surrounding trees.

PrivacyThe campground offers secluded spots that are well-shaded, as highlighted by multiple user reviews. Tent sites are particularly noted for their privacy.

Recommended SitesUser reviews suggest Site 8 for motorhomes, but most sites are better suited for small trailers or tents due to their size.

Amenities available

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Picnic tables

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Ambrose A. Call State Park offers a variety of recreational activities that appeal to nature enthusiasts and families. The park features heavily wooded trails, a cross-country ski trail for winter sports, and an 18-hole Frisbee golf course. Wildlife viewing and wildflower observation are popular activities given the park's natural habitat.

HikingThe park has two miles of rugged, wooded trails that wind through the forest, down ravines, and along picturesque creeks. These trails are described as beautiful and ideal for observing nature, especially during seasonal changes like leaf fall. However, bicycles are explicitly not allowed on the hiking trails.

Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is frequently noted as an activity at the park, with visitors mentioning sightings of deer during their stays.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPit toilets only, no running water or modern facilities. Fire pits are reportedly uneven or minimal, according to user reviews.

Active AlertsNo current alerts or advisories mentioned.

Fire PolicyLimited fire pits available, some angled or meant for charcoal.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Unspecified, but gates lock and close promptly at 10:30 PM.

Emergency ServicesGreater than 1 mile to the nearest hospital and medical clinic (Algona), police station proximity unclear.

Trash & RecyclingThere is a dumpster within the facility, but no detailed information is available about recycling options or trash pickup schedules.

Water FeaturesRavine and creek within the park; Smith Lake nearby offers a dump station for $3.00.

Camp HostCamp host described as helpful and friendly in reviews.

Weather at Ambrose A. Call State Park

Reviews

4.2

16 reviews

Satisfactory

Ambrose A. Call State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Ambrose A. Call State Park are generally positive, with many praising its quiet atmosphere, beautiful trails, and helpful camp hosts. However, complaints about the lack of modern amenities such as showers and dump stations are frequent.

Review Summaries

Based on 16 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews highlight the park's beautiful trails, abundant wildlife, shaded and secluded campsites, and helpful camp hosts. The lodge is also frequently mentioned as gorgeous and well-maintained.

Based on 16 reviews

Common Concerns

The most frequent complaints include the absence of showers, lack of a dump station, limited water access, and inconsistent fire rings. Some users also mention that the campground needs upgrading,...

Based on 16 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend arriving early to secure a good campsite, carrying extra water due to limited availability on-site, and using the dump station at nearby Smith Lake (approximately 4 miles away).

Based on 16 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate that the park is particularly pleasant in the fall, with users appreciating the changing leaves and vibrant deer sightings. Winter activities like cross-country skiing are also...

Based on 16 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Beautiful park. Small but worth the visit." - Sony. "Note that the park closes promptly at 10:30 when they lock the gate." - Andrew Denner. "Saw several deer walking through in the morning." -...

Based on 16 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 8 was mentioned positively as suitable for motorhomes with 30A electrical service. Users note that most sites are small and best suited for tents or small trailers.

Based on 16 reviews