How much does camping cost at Whitebreast Camp?

Camping fees at Whitebreast Camp are $20 - $288/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Whitebreast Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Whitebreast 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 Whitebreast Camp before I book?

Yes! Whitebreast Camp has 8 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 Whitebreast Camp?

Whitebreast 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 Whitebreast Camp?

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

Is there cell service at Whitebreast Camp?

Cell phone service at Whitebreast Camp is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Whitebreast Camp have?

Whitebreast Camp has 132 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Whitebreast Camp?

Yes, pets are allowed at Whitebreast Camp. 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 Whitebreast Camp?

Whitebreast Camp offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Whitebreast Camp?

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

Whitebreast Camp

4.38

356 reviews

971 Highway S71, Knoxville, IA 50138

Top 8% in IAFall

BReport Card

Summer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Iowa Boating Camping Iowa

Quick Facts

830 ft

Price

$20 - $288/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

132 campsites

Season

Open from April 24 t...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

830 ft

Price

$20 - $288/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

132 campsites

Season

Open from April 24 t...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on Army Corps of Engineers Official Website

Get Directions

Whitebreast Camp

$20.00 - $288.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD ELECTRIC - Heights 1 sites 114-125: $288.00; GROUP STANDARD ELECTRIC- Heights 2 sites 126-132: $168.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $20.00;...

Group Site Fee$288.00

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Provider

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

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

971 Highway S71, Knoxville, IA 50138

Whitebreast Camp

971 Highway S71, Knoxville, IA 50138

Nearby places

Pella (10 minutes), Knoxville (15 minutes), Des Moines (1 hour).

Weather at Whitebreast Camp

Best Time to Camp at Whitebreast Camp

Best season: fall. Early fall (late September–early October) offers the best combination of comfortable weather and scenery — daytime highs are often in the 50s–70s°F with crisp nights in the 30s–40s — and the hardwood ridgelines around Lake Red Rock explode with color. This is prime time for bald eagle and waterfowl watching as migrations begin, while cooling water temperatures sharpen fishing and make shore- and boat-based angling excellent. Crowds drop from summer peaks but most campground services and boat/fac Peak months: September, May, June, October Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 8% in IA

Early fall is best: peak color and bald eagle migrations; reviewers highly recommend.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 23 to October 08. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from April 24 to October 5 during peak season. Closed for reservations from October 5 to April 23.

About Whitebreast Camp

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.

Whitebreast Camp caters to a variety of camping preferences, offering options for tent camping, RV camping, and group camping.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Early fall (late September–early October) offers the best combination of comfortable weather and scenery — daytime highs are often in the 50s–70s°F with crisp nights in the 30s–40s — and the hardwood ridgelines around Lake Red Rock explode with color. This is prime time for bald eagle and waterfowl watching as migrations begin, while cooling water temperatures sharpen fishing and make shore- and boat-based angling excellent. Crowds drop from summer peaks but most campground services and boat/fac Peak months: September, May, June, October Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation830 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryDense hardwood forests line the shore where the Des Moines River feeds Lake Red Rock. The canopy provides good shade at most sites, and elevated viewpoints reveal wide lake vistas. Bald eagles and waterfowl concentrate here during migration. The surrounding wetlands and woodlands create solid habitat diversity. Deer appear at dusk. Site 068 and others with direct lake views offer the best scenery, though many interior sites stay visually screened by trees.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not offer hotel-style lodging, but the nearby towns of Pella and Knoxville provide alternatives.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural and educational programs are not explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum of 14 consecutive nights allowed.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of eight persons per campsite.

Groups

The campground includes two group sites equipped with 30 or 50-amp electric hookups.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations available on Recreation.gov via website or contact center at 1-877-444-6777.

AccessibilityThe campground includes accessible facilities, such as handicap showers. However, there are some concerns about the steepness of trails to certain areas, like the beach.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as spacious, with roomy locations that accommodate campers comfortably.

PrivacySeveral reviews highlight the privacy of the campsites due to their spacing and tree coverage.

Total Campsites132 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites with lake views for sunsets (e.g., site 068, loop COAL). Avoid sites with reported drainage issues (e.g., site 049).

Best CampsitesSite 068 gets mentioned specifically for its lake view and room. Look for sites on the outer loops with water views if you want scenery. Interior sites offer more privacy due to tree spacing.

Need help booking Whitebreast 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

Whitebreast Camp offers a comprehensive array of amenities, ensuring comfort and convenience for campers. The campground features flush toilets, pit toilets, showers, drinking water, and a dump station. Additionally, there is a boat ramp and picnic shelters including the Whitebreast Point shelter and Miner's Retreat shelter. Younger campers enjoy the playgrounds, and the nearby Whitebreast Beach provides recreational opportunities.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Whitebreast Camp

Whitebreast Camp offers a rich recreational experience. Activities include fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. The nearby Volksweg Trail provides additional hiking and biking opportunities.

Boating4.5/5Top 3% in Iowa

Wildlife viewing4.5/5Top 1% in Iowa

Bald eagles, American white pelican and plentiful waterfowl during migrations.

Hiking4.0/5

Several miles of trails plus the 15-mile paved Volksweg Trail connect to the region.

Fishing4.0/5

Biking4.0/5

15-mile paved Volksweg Trail is ideal for biking and regional connections.

Water Sports4.0/5

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Eagles, waterfowl, fall color and wide lake vistas provide strong photo ops.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

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

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From Booking Sources

4.4

356 reviews

Recommended

Whitebreast Camp is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Whitebreast Camp are generally positive, highlighting its cleanliness, spacious sites, and friendly staff. Complaints include issues with water drainage, electricity, and trash disposal locations.

Review Summaries

Based on 356 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 356 reviews.

Site 68Issues noted
Site 68 is noted for its beautiful views but has complaints about fire pit location.
Site 85Issues noted
Site 85 has issues with broken concrete.

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include clean showers and restrooms, spacious sites, beautiful lake views, and helpful staff. The proximity to attractions like Pella and Knoxville is frequently appreciated.

Based on 356 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include standing water issues at campsites, unlevel gravel areas, inconvenience of trash dumpster locations, and electricity malfunctions. Some reviewers also noted issues with...

Based on 356 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing firewood due to limited supply, choosing campsites with lake views, and visiting nearby attractions such as Pella's Dutch bakery.

Based on 356 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall are highly recommended, particularly during the tulip festival in Pella. Summer brings bugs and heat, while winter activities are limited.

Based on 356 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great flat space near Lake Red Rock. Water spigots in several places, and picnic tables and even garbage cans in the camp." - Sarah Howk "The sites are spacious and have great lake views." - Kathy D...

Based on 356 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible facilities are appreciated, but some users find the lack of ventilation in bathrooms problematic, and trails to the beach are too steep for those with mobility challenges.

Based on 356 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The campground is pet-friendly, but enforcement of leash rules is inconsistent. Some campers found unrestrained dogs problematic.

Based on 356 reviews

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Whitebreast Camp

$20.00 - $288.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD ELECTRIC - Heights 1 sites 114-125: $288.00; GROUP STANDARD ELECTRIC- Heights 2 sites 126-132: $168.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $20.00;...

Group Site Fee$288.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

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

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.

Whitebreast Camp

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Whitebreast Camp

Campground Map

Weather at Whitebreast Camp

Best Time to Camp at Whitebreast Camp

Planning Tips

About Whitebreast Camp

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Whitebreast Camp?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Whitebreast Camp

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Get Notified When Available

How campers graded it

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Directions

Featured in these camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Whitebreast Camp

Best Time to Camp at Whitebreast Camp

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Whitebreast Camp?

Amenities available

Things to do at Whitebreast Camp

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns