Is Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp first-come first-served or reservation?

Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp?

Yes, Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Are dogs allowed at Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp?

Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp?

Popular activities at Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp include Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp

4.23

69 reviews

Summer Destination

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

843 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

843 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp

41.3974, -93.0893

Weather at Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp

Best Time to Camp at Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best balance of mild weather, dramatic scenery, and fewer bugs — daytime highs are often in the 50s–70s°F (10–25°C) in September and October with crisp, cool mornings. Leaf color on the cliffs, ridgelines and river valley create excellent photography and hiking conditions, while fishing and boating remain productive into early fall. Crowd levels drop after Labor Day and weekends are noticeably quieter than midsummer, making it ideal for solitude, wildlife viewing and long trail-b Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall described as best: cooler temps, fewer bugs and excellent photography light on rocks.

Planning Tips

About Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp

Elk Rock Campground sits on the shores of Lake Red Rock near Knoxville, Iowa's largest reservoir. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this lakeside campground offers spacious pull-through sites with electric hookups and modern facilities including showers and flush toilets. Campers come for boating access via the adjacent ramp, well-separated sites with gravel pads, and equestrian trails that wind through the property.

The Elk Rock Campground supports both equestrian and non-equestrian camping, featuring spacious sites with pull-through access and gravel pads.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best balance of mild weather, dramatic scenery, and fewer bugs — daytime highs are often in the 50s–70s°F (10–25°C) in September and October with crisp, cool mornings. Leaf color on the cliffs, ridgelines and river valley create excellent photography and hiking conditions, while fishing and boating remain productive into early fall. Crowd levels drop after Labor Day and weekends are noticeably quieter than midsummer, making it ideal for solitude, wildlife viewing and long trail-b Peak months: October, September, May, June Avoid: January, February

Elevation843 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a spot along Lake Red Rock at 843 feet elevation. Dramatic cliffs reveal colorful sedimentary layers that stretch back millions of years, creating natural rock sculptures above the water. The geological diversity supports unique plant species not found elsewhere in the region. Fall brings the most striking views when leaf color spreads across the cliffs, ridgelines, and river valley. Wildlife sightings are common, particularly for campers willing to get out early or stay quiet near the water.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo information available regarding hotel-style lodging or accommodations.

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

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

AccessibilityThe campground offers some accessibility features, but detailed information is not explicitly provided.

Site SizeCampsites are described as large, spacious, and well-graveled. Some sites are specifically noted to be pull-through.

PrivacyCampsites offer a decent level of privacy, with grass tall enough to provide separation between sites, as noted by users.

Amenities available

Elk Rock Campground and Boat Ramp, part of Lake Red Rock, offers a mix of amenities primarily catering to both equestrian and non-equestrian campers. Facilities include shower houses, a bathroom, and large gravel campsites. There are fire pits with swivel grills at campsites, picnic tables, and a playground. However, the campground could improve in maintenance, as users noted issues such as moldy walls in the showers and infestations of dead bugs and worms in bathrooms during the early season. On the positive side, the campsites are spacious, pull-through, and well-graveled, with some providing a central open field space ideal for activities like volleyball.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

A wide range of recreational activities is available at Elk Rock Campground, including equestrian activities, fishing, hiking, biking, and boating. Several trails are marked with distinct color-coded stakes, and the campground offers direct access to Lake Red Rock for water-related activities.

Boating

Winter Activities

Water Sports

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

69 reviews

Satisfactory

Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Elk Rock Campground receives mixed reviews, with an average sentiment score of 4.27. Positive aspects include spacious campsites, well-maintained gravel pads, and good equestrian trails. However, there are complaints about unclean restrooms and limited shade in certain areas.

Review Summaries

Based on 69 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers appreciated the spacious campsites, pull-through accessibility, and clean gravel pads. The campground's equestrian trails and separation between sites were commonly highlighted as...

Based on 69 reviews

Common Concerns

Key complaints include unclean or poorly maintained restrooms, low-hanging tree branches potentially damaging RVs, and a lack of shade. Some users also noted the distance to the restrooms from...

Based on 69 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 82 is praised for its grass privacy and ease of access to water spouts but noted for being far from restrooms. Non-electric sites in the 80s are described as spacious but may have hard ground...

Based on 69 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing your own firewood due to limited supply on-site. For equestrian campers, tying horses is necessary as there are no box stalls.

Based on 69 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Early in the season, restroom cleanliness can be an issue due to delays in maintenance after winter closures. Summer visits often highlight the need for shade and the heat's impact on equestrian...

Based on 69 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'For the first 12 days of our stay the bathrooms were not cleaned.' (Julie Freeze, 2022) - 'Great campsites in the non-electric loop (campsites numbered in the 80's). Plenty of room to spread out.'...

Based on 69 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews addressing accessibility features.

Based on 69 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and no critical issues were noted regarding pet policies or experiences.

Based on 69 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want lake access for boating, roomy sites with electric hookups, and trails for horseback riding.

Skip if

You prefer primitive camping or need full RV hookups beyond electric.

Nearby Campgrounds

888 Hwy 14, Knoxville, Iowa, 50138, United States

Elk Rock State Park sits on the shores of Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest reservoir, offering a mix of traditional and equestrian camping. The park features dedicated horse facilities including stalls and riding arenas alongside standard campsites, with fees ranging from $15 to $35 per night. Spacious sites and access to trails, fishing, and water activities make it a popular summer destination, especially on weekends.

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Roberts Creek East Campground

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Roberts Creek East Campground sits on the shore of Lake Red Rock near Knoxville, Iowa's largest reservoir. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this large campground offers spacious, level sites with lake views and full hookups. Spring brings migrating waterfowl and nesting bald eagles, drawing birders and boaters to the water's edge.

Roberts Creek West Campground

Lake Red Rock

Roberts Creek West Campground sits on the shores of Lake Red Rock near Knoxville, Iowa, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mature trees blanket the sites in shade, keeping temperatures noticeably cooler even during summer heat waves. Campers use the lake for boating and fishing, explore nearby exposed rock formations along the creek, and enjoy spacious sites in a quiet setting.

971 Highway S71, Knoxville, IA 50138

Whitebreast Camp sits on the shores of Lake Red Rock near Knoxville, Iowa, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This large campground offers electric hookups, showers, and a dump station for tent and RV campers seeking lake access in central Iowa. Visitors come for boating, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing, with fall bringing peak color and bald eagle migrations.

$20.00 - $288.00 / night

890 190th Ave, Pella, Iowa 50219

Wallashuck sits on the shore of Lake Red Rock near Pella, Iowa, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers as a large seasonal campground. The facility offers both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, showers, and a dump station, drawing campers who fish, boat, hike the nearby Volksweg Trail, and explore the Dutch heritage town of Pella. Reviewers consistently praise spacious, shaded sites and well-maintained facilities, though some note shower cleanliness issues and the absence of water hookups at individual sites.

$20.00 - $24.00 / night

1007 Highway T15, Pella, Iowa 50219

North Overlook Camp sits on the shore of Lake Red Rock near Pella, Iowa, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This mid-sized campground offers electric hookups, showers, and a dump station alongside tent, RV, and primitive camping options. Visitors come for direct lake access, with boating, fishing, and swimming drawing families and anglers throughout the warm months.

$14.00 - $24.00 / night

1081 198th Place, Pella, IA 50219

Howell Station sits on the shores of Lake Red Rock near Pella, Iowa, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This large campground offers electric hookups, modern facilities, and direct access to the Des Moines River valley's hardwood forests and lake recreation. Campers use the site as a base for biking the extensive trail network, fishing the lake, and watching migratory waterfowl along the shoreline.

$22.00 - $24.00 / night

1125 198th Place, Knoxville, IA 50138

Ivans sits on the shore of Lake Red Rock near Knoxville, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. This small seasonal campground offers electric hookups, showers, and flush toilets for tent and RV campers who want clean facilities and quiet lakeside access. Spring brings thousands of American White Pelicans migrating up the Des Moines River, making it a standout season for birdwatching alongside hiking, biking, and boating.

$20.00 - $24.00 / night

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Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp

About Lake Red Rock

Context for the broader area surrounding Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake and is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage and 15 minutes from Knoxville, Sprintcar Capital of the World. Lake Red Rock offers camping; shoreline fishing; interpretive programs and access to a paved 13-mile hiking/biking trail. White pelicans migrate through the lake area every spring and fall and large numbers of bald eagles are observed during winter months.

Directions

4 miles southwest of Pella on County Rd. T15.