Union Grove State Park

Star4.20
45 reviews
1215 220th Street, Gladbrook, Iowa, 50635, United States
Summer Destination
Featured in:RV Camping Iowa

Quick Facts

997 ft

Price

$15 - $80/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Union Grove State Park site

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Union Grove State Park
$15.00 - $80.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees vary based on the type of site or cabin. Cabins are available year-round and are pet-friendly. Tent camping and RV spaces are also offered.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$80.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.20

Satisfactory

Based on 45 reviews

388 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsclean

"User reviews highlight the park's peaceful atmosphere, scenic trails, ADA-accessible cabins, and small, quiet campground. However, there are mixed opinions about maintenance and swimming conditions."

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Campground Map

1215 220th Street, Gladbrook, Iowa, 50635, United States

Union Grove State Park

1215 220th Street, Gladbrook, Iowa, 50635, United States

Driving directionsDrive 5 miles south of Gladbrook on county road T-47. Turn west on 220th St. and continue 1 mile to the park entrance.
The park is accessible via paved roads. There doesn't appear to be any mention of seasonal closures or challenging terrain conditions.
Nearby places
Gladbrook (6 miles), Garwin (5 miles), Marshalltown (16 miles), Tama (20 miles), Toledo (18 miles).
Nearby supplies
Within 10 miles: grocery store, fuel, church. Greater than 10 miles: motel.

Best Time to Camp at Union Grove State Park

Spring arrives with gentle warmth and wildflower blooms, creating perfect conditions for early-season camping and fishing. Summer transforms the park into a sun-soaked playground where clear skies invite endless days of swimming and boating. As autumn paints the landscape in brilliant golds and crimsons, crisp air makes for ideal hiking weather. Winter brings a hushed beauty to the frozen lake, with snow-dusted pines and the occasional cross-country skiing adventure for those brave enough to embrace the chill.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Summer offers boating and fishing; campgrounds can be crowded and beach usability varies with water quality.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Scenic trails and wildlife viewing make fall attractive; fewer crowds than summer.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring wildflower blooms and early-season fishing make it a good time to visit per overview.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Ice fishing and snowmobiling available; facilities more primitive in winter though cabins remain available.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: No specific open and closed seasons mentioned, although cabins are available year-round.

About Union Grove State Park

Nestled around a sparkling 110-acre lake, Union Grove State Park beckons outdoor enthusiasts with an irresistible blend of water adventures and woodland escapes. Whether you're casting a line at dawn, paddling across mirror-smooth waters, or setting up camp under towering trees, this Iowa gem delivers year-round recreation. Modern RV sites welcome road warriors, secluded tent spots satisfy nature purists, and two fully accessible cabins provide cozy retreats in any season. From sunrise swims to sunset hikes along three miles of scenic trails, every day here writes its own adventure story.
Union Grove State Park accommodates tent camping, RV camping with full hookups, and cabin lodging. Group camping and glamping options are not available.
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Best Campsites

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Check-in
Not specified.
Check-out
Not specified.
Stay Limit
There is no stay limit explicitly mentioned.

Amenities available

Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Union Grove State Park provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing, swimming at the beach, and picnicking. Official sources confirm three miles of trails for hiking and snowmobiling, a 'no-wake' lake for boating, and beach swimming. User reviews describe the trails as scenic but occasionally overgrown and the lake as suitable for kayaking or canoeing. One reviewer noted, 'Great place to decompress from the hustle of modern-day life.'
HikingThe park has three miles of trails for hiking and snowmobiling. Trails are scenic, leading to the waterfall spillway and through re-established prairie and pine plantations. User feedback reinforces this: 'Walked the neatly groomed trails,' and 'Nice trails, easy walking.' However, some reviews noted overgrown portions.
FishingFishing is available at the lake, which contains bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, saugeye, walleye, and pike. User reviews offer mixed feedback: 'Fishing was slow but better than working,' and 'Recently refilled lake with good fishing.'
SwimmingBeach swimming is unsupervised but available. Some reviewers discouraged swimming due to low water levels or bacteria concerns: 'Swimming not recommended at this time,' and 'Unsafe to swim last few years.'
BoatingThe lake supports a 'no-wake' policy, making it suitable for kayaking and canoeing. There are two boat ramps. User feedback highlights boating as relaxing and enjoyable: 'Beautiful small lake, great to kayak or canoe in.'
Wildlife viewingVisitors can expect to see deer, turkey, songbirds, and waterfowl along the trails. User reviews confirm sightings of bald eagles, foxes, and beavers: 'Saw many varieties of songbirds, white-tailed deer, foxes, badgers, and beavers.'
Beach activitiesBeach activities include swimming and picnicking, but water levels and bacteria may limit usability: 'The lake is pretty and quiet; swimming not recommended at this time.'
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSome reviews mentioned wildlife, uneven terrain for tent camping, and potential bacteria in the lake affecting swimming.

Weather at Union Grove State Park

Reviews

4.2
45 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Union Grove State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the park's peaceful atmosphere, scenic trails, ADA-accessible cabins, and small, quiet campground. However, there are mixed opinions about maintenance and swimming conditions.
Review Summaries
Based on 45 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean cabins and bathrooms, scenic trails, abundant wildlife, relaxing atmosphere, and availability of fishing and boating. Reviewers especially praised the cabins: 'Nice views off the porch/patio,'...
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Based on 45 reviews

Common Concerns

Maintenance issues such as overgrown trails, shower cleanliness, and vault toilet doors not closing properly. Tent sites are sloped, and some areas lack privacy. Swimming conditions are poor due to...
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Based on 45 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring bedding, towels, and toiletries for cabin stays. Carry binoculars for bird watching. Visit the nearby Matchstick Marvels museum in Gladbrook. Prepare for sloped tent sites and unpredictable...
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Based on 45 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight fishing and boating but note crowded campgrounds. Winter reviews focus on ice fishing and snowmobiling, with primitive facilities during colder months. Spring provides...
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Based on 45 reviews

Camper Quotes

'What a great getaway!' - Mike Davis. 'If you want tons of activities, this might not be for you, but great place to relax close to nature.' - Jason Jones. 'Nice small park, could use a playground.'...
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Based on 45 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Cabins receive high praise for cleanliness and modern amenities, while tent camping areas are noted for sloping sites and limited privacy.
Based on 45 reviews

Accessibility Features

Cabins are ADA accessible, but no specific feedback from disabled users is available.
Based on 45 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at the campground, though some reviews mention lack of leash enforcement and pet waste cleanup policies.
Based on 45 reviews

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Last updated February 17, 2026
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