Green Valley State Park

4.87

34 reviews

1480 130th St, Creston, Iowa, 50801, United States

Summer Destination

Featured in:RV Camping Iowa#1 Beach Camping Iowa#3 Swimming Camping Iowa +7 more

Quick Facts

1,302 ft

Price

$20 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

100 campsites

Season

Open from April 1 to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Green Valley State Park Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,302 ft

Price

$20 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

100 campsites

Season

Open from April 1 to...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Green Valley State Park Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Green Valley State Park

$20.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Campsite fees vary based on amenities. Full hookup sites are priced at $35, electric sites at $25, and non-electric sites at $20. Discounts and other...

Standard Site Fee$20.00

Hookup Site Fee$35.00

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

4.87

Top-Rated

Based on 34 reviews

20 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanstafffriendly

"Green Valley State Park is consistently praised for its cleanliness, maintenance, and diverse amenities. Visitors appreciate the scenic trails, fishing opportunities, and proximity to nature. "Such a nice campground. Beautiful," remarked Mark Claypool. Users also highlight frustrations with reserving pull-up sites, as noted by Shane Hoyle."

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Campground Map

1480 130th St, Creston, Iowa, 50801, United States

Green Valley State Park

1480 130th St, Creston, Iowa, 50801, United States

Driving directionsThe main entrance is located 3 miles north of Creston on Green Valley Road P27, then west on 130th St about 1/3 mile, then turn south into the park.

The primary road access is paved and relatively straightforward, suitable for most vehicles. Seasonal accessibility appears unimpeded during the open camping season (April 1 to October 31).

Nearby places

Creston (2.5 miles southeast), Afton, Orient, Greenfield (distances unspecified).

Nearby supplies

Includes grocery stores, fuel stations, and retail shops in Creston (approximately 2.5 miles southeast). Specific distances for other towns such as Afton, Greenfield, etc. are unspecified.

Best Time to Camp at Green Valley State Park

Each season paints Green Valley in dramatically different colors. Spring awakens the park with a symphony of migrating birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers armed with binoculars and field guides. Summer transforms the 390-acre lake into a refreshing oasis where anglers cast their lines at dawn and families splash in the cool waters by afternoon. Autumn brings its own migration spectacle against a backdrop of changing leaves, while winter blankets the landscape in pristine snow, creating a serene wonderland for those brave enough to embrace the freezing temperatures and occasional snowfall.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer popular for swimming, fishing and clean facilities; many positive summer reviews.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Open through Oct 31 with autumn colors and hiking/birding opportunities noted for fall.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring brings migrating birds and wetland life; birdwatching highlighted in seasonal notes.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Park closed November–March; winter season not supported.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Unspecified. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from April 1 to October 31.
Current Alerts: No active alerts were noted.

About Green Valley State Park

Nestled in the heart of Iowa's countryside, Green Valley State Park Campground welcomes adventurers year-round with its diverse accommodation options. Whether you prefer the simplicity of non-electric sites, the convenience of electric hookups, or the comfort of full-service spots, this haven caters to every camping style. Modern amenities including spotless restrooms, hot showers, and a convenient dump station ensure your stay is comfortable. For those seeking a unique experience, the park's charming pine log cabins transport guests back in time, offering an authentic taste of pioneer living with just enough modern comfort to make your stay memorable.

Green Valley State Park accommodates a variety of camping types, including tent camping, RV camping, and cabin lodging. "Year-round camping options," noted one user review.

Historical SignificanceWhile Green Valley State Park may not boast ancient ruins or historic battlefields, its story is written in the landscape itself—a testament to Iowa's commitment to preserving natural spaces for future generations to explore and cherish.

Weather and SeasonsEach season paints Green Valley in dramatically different colors. Spring awakens the park with a symphony of migrating birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers armed with binoculars and field guides. Summer transforms the 390-acre lake into a refreshing oasis where anglers cast their lines at dawn and families splash in the cool waters by afternoon. Autumn brings its own migration spectacle against a backdrop of changing leaves, while winter blankets the landscape in pristine snow, creating a serene wonderland for those brave enough to embrace the freezing temperatures and occasional snowfall.

ElevationThe gently rolling terrain of Green Valley creates natural vantage points throughout the park, offering varied perspectives of the surrounding landscape without challenging elevation changes.

Natural Features and SceneryGreen Valley State Park is a living tapestry of Iowa's natural heritage. The centerpiece 390-acre lake mirrors the sky and provides a playground for water enthusiasts, while surrounding wetlands buzz with life and filter the landscape's waters. Ancient woodlands offer shaded retreats where sunlight dances through the canopy, and precious remnants of native prairie grass sway in the breeze, whispering stories of Iowa's past. A thoughtfully designed self-guided nature trail winds through these diverse ecosystems, inviting visitors to discover hidden treasures at their own pace.

Geological RegionSituated in Iowa's scenic District 3 region, Green Valley State Park showcases the state's remarkable ecological diversity. This carefully preserved landscape seamlessly blends aquatic and terrestrial habitats, from the expansive 390-acre lake that anchors the park to the surrounding mosaic of wetlands, woodlands, and native prairie remnants—each ecosystem supporting its own community of plants and wildlife in perfect harmony.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Unspecified

Check-out

Unspecified

Stay Limit

14 days maximum per reservation.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Unspecified

Groups

Null

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutUnspecified

Reservation PlatformsOnline reservation platforms were mentioned but specific URLs or platforms were not listed.

Walk-in AvailabilitySome sites are first-come-first-served, referred to as 'Pull Up Sites.' User reviews mentioned frustrations due to unoccupied reserved sites.

Cancellation PolicyNo specific cancellation policies were provided.

AccessibilityThe park provides accessible fishing piers and other amenities for visitors with varying abilities.

Site Sizenull

Privacynull

Total Campsites100 campsites

Recommended SitesLake-side sites are recommended for tent camping and fishing access. Sites farther from the lake may offer greater privacy.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Firewood available

Activities you can enjoy

Green Valley State Park offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, boating, wildlife viewing, and beach activities. "Miles of trails that can take you all the way into town and put you at McKinley Park," noted Rosanne Thompson. The park's 390-acre lake serves as a hub for fishing, swimming, and boating activities. "Tent camping right on the water and the fishing was great as usual," remarked Tim Strong. The hiking trails provide scenic views and pass through diverse habitats.

HikingThe park features a 10-mile trail that circles the lake, offering a combination of grass and existing roadways suitable for hikers and mountain bicyclists. A self-guided nature trail is also available. "Trails are wooded on the west side and paved on the East," stated one user review.

FishingFishing is a highlight at Green Valley State Park, with largemouth bass, crappies, bluegill, walleyes, and channel catfish available. The lake fishery was renovated in 2008 to improve species quality. A section of shoreline is designated for 24-hour fishing access, and the park provides fishing jetties and accessible piers. "Nice place to relax and enjoy fishing," said Allen Chilcote.

SwimmingThe swimming beach offers a refreshing option for visitors during summer. "The beach in June 2024 is the nicest and cleanest I have seen it in years, no goose droppings," noted Ross King.

BikingA 6.5-mile paved multi-use trail on the East and South sides of the lake is open to mountain bicyclists and provides scenic views.

BoatingBoating is supported with four boat ramps for convenient lake access. However, no in-board motors or jet-powered boats are allowed, including personal watercraft. Water skiing is permitted in designated zones.

Wildlife viewingThe park's diverse habitats, from wetlands to woodlands and remnants of native prairie, host various wildlife species. Mitchell Marsh is particularly notable for bird-watching during spring and fall migrations.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include restrictions on motorized watercraft and risks of severe cold and snow during winter.

Active AlertsNo active alerts were noted.

Fire PolicyCampfire rules are unspecified, but firewood sales are available when the campground host is present.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Unspecified

Emergency ServicesGreater Regional Health is accessible within Creston along with additional emergency services; distances not explicitly provided.

Trash & RecyclingTrash dumpsters are available within the facility for waste disposal.

Water FeaturesThe campground surrounds a 390-acre lake with access to a swimming beach, fishing piers, and boat ramps.

Camp Host"Friendly park ranger" (Ross King, User Review). Firewood sales are operational April 1 through October 31 when the host is available.

Weather at Green Valley State Park

Reviews

4.9

34 reviews

Top-Rated

Green Valley State Park is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Green Valley State Park is consistently praised for its cleanliness, maintenance, and diverse amenities. Visitors appreciate the scenic trails, fishing opportunities, and proximity to nature. "Such a nice campground. Beautiful," remarked Mark Claypool. Users also highlight frustrations with reserving pull-up sites, as noted by Shane Hoyle.

Review Summaries

Based on 34 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean modern shower houses, diverse fishing options, scenic trails, and friendly staff are commonly praised.

Based on 34 reviews

Common Concerns

Issues with pull-up sites not being reservable, leading to dissatisfaction with campsite assignments.

Based on 34 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own bedding, pillows, and toiletry items if staying in cabins. Explore trails for scenic views and bird-watching opportunities. Ensure your pet is leashed and attended at all times.

Based on 34 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is popular for activities like swimming and fishing, with user reviews highlighting clean facilities and enjoyable experiences.

Based on 34 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The beach in June 2024 is the nicest and cleanest I have seen it in years," Ross King. "Tent camping right on the water and the fishing was great as usual," Tim Strong. "Miles of trails that can...

Based on 34 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Lake-side tent camping sites are highly recommended by users for their proximity to the water.

Based on 34 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible fishing piers enhance the experience for visitors with varying abilities.

Based on 34 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are permitted but must be kept leashed and attended at all times. Users appreciated the pet-friendly environment but noted strict leash policies.

Based on 34 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026

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