How much does camping cost at Ambrose A. Call State Park?

Camping fees at Ambrose A. Call State Park range from $10-$20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Ambrose A. Call State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Ambrose A. Call State Park operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites are first-come, first-served; no reservation system in place.

What is the best time to visit Ambrose A. Call State Park?

Ambrose A. Call State Park is open Not specified.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Ambrose A. Call State Park?

Ambrose A. Call State Park does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Ambrose A. Call State Park?

Fire policies at Ambrose A. Call State Park: Limited fire pits available, some angled or meant for charcoal.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Ambrose A. Call State Park?

Pets are not allowed at Ambrose A. Call State Park. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Ambrose A. Call State Park?

Ambrose A. Call State Park offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Ambrose A. Call State Park?

Popular activities at Ambrose A. Call State Park include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ambrose A. Call State Park

4.28

18 reviews

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

Romantic GetawayPeace & Quiet

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Iowa

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,227 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Electric

Book on Pilot Knob State Park Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,227 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Electric

Book on Pilot Knob State Park 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

4.28

Satisfactory

Based on 18 reviews

99 Google reviews

Most mentioned

hikingfriendly

"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."

Read all reviews

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

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

Fall delivers the best conditions. October highs typically reach the 50s and 60s, with nights dropping to the 30s and 40s. The hardwood canopy puts on a color show, and lower insect activity makes hiking more pleasant. Deer hunting seasons occur in late fall. Wear blaze orange and check local season dates before heading out. Summer temperatures hover in the low 80s during the day, cooling to the 60s at night. Winter can drop to single digits, blanketing the ravines in snow.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall leaf display and mild temps are highlighted as the best conditions in reviews.

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

Ambrose A. Call State Park sits in Iowa's agricultural heartland near Algona, where steep wooded hills and ravines rise unexpectedly from the surrounding farmland. The park preserves virgin hardwood forest along the east fork of the Des Moines River. With tent and RV sites available for $10–20 per night, it's a quiet spot with vault toilets, electric hookups, and no showers or dump station.

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 Significance

The park honors brothers Ambrose and Asa Call, Kossuth County's first European settlers, who homesteaded these hills.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions. October highs typically reach the 50s and 60s, with nights dropping to the 30s and 40s. The hardwood canopy puts on a color show, and lower insect activity makes hiking more pleasant. Deer hunting seasons occur in late fall. Wear blaze orange and check local season dates before heading out. Summer temperatures hover in the low 80s during the day, cooling to the 60s at night. Winter can drop to single digits, blanketing the ravines in snow.

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 Scenery138-acre oasis of rugged hills heavily wooded with virgin timber amid gently rolling farmland, near the east fork of the Des Moines River, featuring flat terrain with wooded areas and open spaces, trails through forest, ravine, and winding creek[1][2][3][4]

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 layoutA small campground with secluded, well-shaded sites. Most sites suit tents, popups, or small trailers. A few larger sites exist, but trees make backing in tricky. Fire pits can be uneven.

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

RV details

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.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

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

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

18 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 18 reviews

What Campers Love

Rustic oasis setting, virgin timber, challenging 18-hole frisbee golf, hiking trails, scenic lodge, free park entry, family-friendly activities like playground and picnics[1][3][4][7]

Based on 18 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 18 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campground is 100% same-day reservable online or by phone until 10pm day of arrival; check road status with Pilot Knob State Park manager (641-581-4853) in winter; contact for lodge info if...

Based on 18 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 18 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 18 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 18 reviews