How much does camping cost at North Overlook Camp?

Camping fees at North Overlook Camp range from $14-$24/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is North Overlook Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

North Overlook Camp 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 North Overlook Camp before I book?

Yes! North Overlook Camp 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 North Overlook Camp?

North Overlook Camp is open April 23 to October 08. 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 North Overlook Camp?

Yes, North Overlook Camp has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does North Overlook Camp have?

North Overlook Camp has 52 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at North Overlook Camp?

Pets are not allowed at North Overlook Camp. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at North Overlook Camp?

North Overlook Camp 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 North Overlook Camp?

Popular activities at North Overlook Camp include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

North Overlook Camp

4.04

209 reviews

1007 Highway T15, Pella, Iowa 50219

Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Iowa

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

833 ft

Price

$14 - $24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

52 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Book on Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

833 ft

Price

$14 - $24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

52 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

ElectricShowers

Book on Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

North Overlook Camp

$14.00 - $24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD ELECTRIC: $20.00; Standard Electric 50 Amp: $24.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $14.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8...

Hike and Bike Site Fee$14.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

641-828-7522lakeredrock@usace.army.mil

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

1007 Highway T15, Pella, Iowa 50219

North Overlook Camp

1007 Highway T15, Pella, Iowa 50219

Nearby places

Pella (3 miles, approximately 10 minutes)

Knoxville (15 miles, approximately 15 minutes)

Des Moines (approximately 60 miles, 1 hour drive).

Weather at North Overlook Camp

Best Time to Camp at North Overlook Camp

Best season: summer. Summer offers warm, stable weather (average highs roughly 75–90°F) and long daylight hours that maximize time on Lake Red Rock for boating, swimming, paddling, and fishing. Trails and woods are fully leafed out for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing, and campsite services and boat ramps are fully staffed and maintained. Expect moderate to high crowds on holiday weekends, but plenty of opportunity for solitude on weekday mornings and along less-traveled shoreline trails. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season for lake activities and trails; warm weather and full services but mosquitoes and crowds rise.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 23 to October 08. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season runs from April 24 to October 5. Out-of-season reservations are unavailable.

About North Overlook Camp

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.

North Overlook Campground accommodates a range of camping styles, including tent camping, RV camping, and primitive camping.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers warm, stable weather (average highs roughly 75–90°F) and long daylight hours that maximize time on Lake Red Rock for boating, swimming, paddling, and fishing. Trails and woods are fully leafed out for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing, and campsite services and boat ramps are fully staffed and maintained. Expect moderate to high crowds on holiday weekends, but plenty of opportunity for solitude on weekday mornings and along less-traveled shoreline trails. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation833 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryHardwood forests of oak and maple blanket the campground, their canopy filtering light onto spacious sites. Lake Red Rock stretches wide from the shoreline, its waters created where the Des Moines River was dammed. The reservoir supports varied ecosystems at the meeting point of forest, river, and open water. Bald eagles fish the lake from November through March. American White Pelicans pass through in massive flocks during spring and fall migrations, their white wings visible for miles.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations are available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 14 nights within a rolling 30-day period.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 guests per campsite.

Groups

Group camping details are not specified.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or via phone at 1-877-444-6777.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are limited based on user reviews. One review from 10/3/2020 mentioned difficulty finding fishing spots that were handicap/stroller accessible.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious and shaded, with comments like "Loved how big our site was" (User review from 8/28/2020).

PrivacySites vary in privacy; some are close together while others offer more seclusion. A user from 9/18/2021 noted: "Some sites like #51 are very close to a busy road and sit right in the middle of two other campsites.

Total Campsites52 campsites

Recommended SitesFor quieter spots, avoid sites near the main road (e.g., site 51). Sites near the playground (e.g., 5) are ideal for families.

Best CampsitesSite 51 sits close to a busy road and gets squeezed between neighbors, making it one to avoid. Sites vary widely in privacy. Reviewers mention spacious, shaded spots but don't call out specific winners by number beyond the general praise for size and tree cover.

Need help booking North Overlook Camp?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

North Overlook Campground offers visitors a variety of amenities to enhance their camping experience. The campground has 46 shady campsites equipped with 50-amp electrical hookups and 6 primitive tent sites without electricity. Flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and a dump station are available on-site. A playground is provided for younger campers, and the North Overlook Beach is located within a quarter mile of the campground. Firewood is available, but supplies may run out, as noted by user reviews.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a range of recreational activities, taking advantage of its proximity to Lake Red Rock. Activities include swimming, hiking, biking, fishing, and boating. Wildlife viewing is also popular, with bald eagles and pelicans among the species observed.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Winter Activities

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Policies & Safety

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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

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From Booking Sources

4.0

209 reviews

Satisfactory

North Overlook Camp is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews generally praise the campground for its cleanliness, scenic views, and friendly hosts. Key complaints include mosquito prevalence, road noise, and limited accessibility for some activities.

Review Summaries

Based on 209 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 209 reviews.

Site #51Loved
Site #51 received mixed feedback for its proximity to a busy road and lack of privacy, while site #39 was praised for its scenic lakeview.
Site #46Mentioned
Site #46 was noted for its large ant hills.

What Campers Love

Reviews consistently highlight clean facilities, spacious campsites, friendly staff, and convenient access to trails and the lake. Many users also appreciated the shaded sites and quiet atmosphere...

Based on 209 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include insufficient firewood supply, mosquito issues, cramped dump station access, and road noise. Accessibility challenges were also mentioned by some users.

Based on 209 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing your own firewood, preparing for mosquitoes, and exploring the nearby trails and lake. One reviewer suggested visiting during the Tulip Time Festival in Pella.

Based on 209 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews often mention mosquito issues and high campground activity. Winter reviews are sparse, as the campground is closed from October 5 to April 23.

Based on 209 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Showers were roomier than many have in their own homes!" (7/16/2022). "Access to the trails and beach was a great plus" (7/6/2022). "Great paved, walking paths. We love this campground for the wide...

Based on 209 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility challenges were noted by users, such as difficulties finding handicap-accessible fishing spots.

Based on 209 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet policies and related features were not addressed in reviews.

Based on 209 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want affordable lake access with electric hookups, clean facilities, and shaded sites for summer boating and fishing.

Skip if

You need full hookups or want to avoid dump station backups during busy checkout times.

Nearby Campgrounds

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.