How much does camping cost at Pilot Knob State Park?

Camping fees at Pilot Knob State Park range from $35/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Pilot Knob State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Pilot Knob State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Pilot Knob State Park before I book?

Yes! Pilot Knob State Park has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Pilot Knob State Park?

Pilot Knob State Park is open Not explicitly stated.. 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 Pilot Knob State Park?

Yes, Pilot Knob State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Pilot Knob State Park?

Fire policies at Pilot Knob State Park: No specific fire policies mentioned.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Pilot Knob State Park?

Pets are not allowed at Pilot Knob 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 Pilot Knob State Park?

Pilot Knob State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Pilot Knob State Park?

Popular activities at Pilot Knob State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pilot Knob State Park

3.93

14 reviews

2148 340th Street, Forest City, Iowa, 50436, United States

Top 5% in IAWinter

Summer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Iowa

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,407 ft

Price

$35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Book on Direct Line Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,407 ft

Price

$35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Book on Direct Line Official Website

Get Directions

Pilot Knob State Park

$35.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Both electric and non-electric campsites are available, with a maximum fee of $35 per night. Modern amenities included.

Standard Site Fee$35.00

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Reserve America

Provider

6415814835

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Pilot Knob State Park

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Campground Map

2148 340th Street, Forest City, Iowa, 50436, United States

Pilot Knob State Park

2148 340th Street, Forest City, Iowa, 50436, United States

Nearby places

Forest City (4 miles away)

Nearby supplies

Within 10 miles: grocery store, fuel station, retail shops for firewood and drinks, and swimming pool.

Weather at Pilot Knob State Park

Best Time to Camp at Pilot Knob State Park

Fall delivers the best campground experience, with daytime highs of 45–60°F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s. Autumn colors peak along the trails, migratory birds pass through in good numbers, and insect pressure drops off. Weekend crowds increase with leaf-peepers but remain manageable. Winter transforms the park with average daytime temperatures around 26°F and nighttime lows near 11°F. Summer brings warm 81°F days and cool 62°F evenings, with frequent clear skies for stargazing.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Overview: 'Fall delivers the best campground experience'; peak colors and bird migration.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Not explicitly stated.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Year-round campground.

About Pilot Knob State Park

Pilot Knob State Park sits at 1,407 feet elevation near Forest City, offering 700 acres of ecological diversity anchored by Dead Man's Lake, Iowa's only floating sphagnum bog. The campground provides tent and RV sites with electric hookups at $35 per night. Stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1924 mark the landscape, including an observation tower listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Pilot Knob State Park offers a variety of camping options, including electric and non-electric campsites, as well as modern facilities such as showers and restrooms.

Historical Significance

The Civilian Conservation Corps built the park's stone structures in the 1930s, including rustic shelters, arched bridges, an amphitheater, and a 30-foot observation tower. The tower earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places and still offers views across the landscape.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best campground experience, with daytime highs of 45–60°F and crisp nights in the 30s–40s. Autumn colors peak along the trails, migratory birds pass through in good numbers, and insect pressure drops off. Weekend crowds increase with leaf-peepers but remain manageable. Winter transforms the park with average daytime temperatures around 26°F and nighttime lows near 11°F. Summer brings warm 81°F days and cool 62°F evenings, with frequent clear skies for stargazing.

ElevationThe park's varied terrain creates natural vantage points and intimate valleys throughout its landscape.

Natural Features and SceneryDead Man's Lake is the centerpiece: a 15-acre floating sphagnum bog where layers of moss create a living carpet over ancient waters. The highly acidic conditions support rare biodiversity, including carnivorous sundew plants that trap insects in their sticky leaves. This geological phenomenon is the only one of its kind in Iowa, creating an otherworldly ecosystem unlike anything else in the region. The park's 700 acres span diverse prairie and woodland habitats that attract rare bird species.

Geological RegionEncompassing 700 acres of ecological diversity, Pilot Knob State Park showcases Iowa's hidden geological treasures. The park's crown jewel, Dead Man's Lake, represents the state's sole floating sphagnum bog—a geological phenomenon where layers of moss create a living carpet atop ancient waters. These highly acidic lakes nurture extraordinary biodiversity, including the carnivorous sundew plant that lures unsuspecting insects into its sticky embrace, demonstrating nature's fascinating adaptations in this rare prairie ecosystem.

Scenic ViewsObservation tower offers expansive views; surrounding trails provide scenic vistas of the park's lakes and forests.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo information about hotel-style lodging or other accommodations is provided in the source materials.

Programs & ActivitiesNo information about cultural or educational programs is provided.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

No explicit maximum stay limit provided.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No explicit limit on guests provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online.

Walk-in AvailabilityNot explicitly stated.

Cancellation PolicyNot explicitly stated.

AccessibilityHandicap access is mentioned as an available amenity at the campground, but no specific details about the accessibility features are provided.

Site SizeNo specific information about campsite sizes is provided.

PrivacyNo specific information about campsite privacy is provided.

Need help booking Pilot Knob State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

ReserveAmerica Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

The Pilot Knob State Park campground offers a range of amenities for campers, including modern shower and restroom facilities, a dump station for RVs, and a playground located near the campground. Two open picnic shelters are available for reservation, and water hydrants provide access to water on-site. According to the authoritative content, 'Camping, fishing, hiking, and bird watching are just a few of the activities Pilot Knob provides.'

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Pilot Knob State Park offers a diverse range of recreational activities that include hiking, fishing, bird watching, horseback riding, and winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The park also features two lakes, one of which is a floating sphagnum bog hosting unique species, and another that is suitable for fishing.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh-acidity lakes and bogs may pose hazards for hikers unfamiliar with the terrain. Wildlife such as deer and turkeys are prevalent.

Fire PolicyNo specific fire policies mentioned.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No specific quiet hours mentioned.

Emergency ServicesForest City Medical Clinic is within 10 miles. The nearest hospital is greater than 10 miles away.

Trash & RecyclingTrash dumpsters are available within the facility for waste disposal. No specific information on recycling facilities is provided.

Water FeaturesDead Man's Lake and two other lakes are within the park.

Camp HostUser reviews highlight a very nice campground host.

Cell CoverageNo information about cell phone service or specific providers is mentioned in the authoritative content or user reviews.

Trip Planning Tools

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

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.9

14 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Pilot Knob State Park has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews generally describe Pilot Knob State Park as a great and lovely campground with enjoyable trails.

Review Summaries

Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

The campground is described as 'lovely' and 'great' by users. The hiking trails are positively noted, and the campground host has also been mentioned positively.

Based on 14 reviews

Common Concerns

No common complaints are mentioned in the user reviews provided.

Based on 14 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No reviews specific to particular campsites or areas within the campground are provided.

Based on 14 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal trends are not discussed in the user reviews provided.

Based on 14 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'A lovely campground! Very nice host. The dogs enjoyed the hiking trails.' – Sherrill Stramara, May 2022. 2. 'Great campground!' – Susan Schmidt, August 2023.

Based on 14 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically address accessibility features.

Based on 14 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One user mentioned dogs enjoying the hiking trails, indicating that the park may be pet-friendly.

Based on 14 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Birders and hikers who want something genuinely unusual: Dead Man's Lake is a carnivorous-plant bog unlike anything else in the state, and fall migration turns the park into a legitimate wildlife-watching destination with manageable crowds.

Skip if

No swimming on-site, and the fishing lake limits you to electric trolling motors only. Campers expecting a full-service water recreation setup will find this park oriented more toward trails and scenery than the waterfront.

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