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Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock

Accessible via paved roads, Elk Rock Campground provides drive-in camping within Elk Rock State Park on Lake Red Rock. The DNR-managed facility features sites without hookups, with some locations positioned near the lake shoreline for water access. Site 82 sits close to the water with tall grass providing natural screening between neighboring spots.

The campground includes restrooms with plumbing, sinks, and flush toilets rather than portable facilities. Campers can access fishing spots along the lake via walking paths from the camping area. Note that pets are not permitted at this location, and shower facilities require frequent button activation to maintain water flow. The sites lack electrical, water, or sewer connections typical of Iowa state park campgrounds.

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Location

Public Campground

Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock is located in Iowa

Coordinates

41.39738 N
93.089328 W

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Connectivity

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/15/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

T-MobileLTE
Some Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 3/15/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

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Drive Time

38 min from Des Moines, IA
1 hr from Ames, IA
1 hr 28 min from Iowa City, IA
1 hr 39 min from Cedar Rapids, IA

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3.5

out of 5

3 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned the wooded setting near Red Rock Lake with year-round access and proximity to Pella. Some visitors reported limitations including no hookups and shower issues, though bathroom facilities exceeded expectations.

Meredith L.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2023

Perfect Weekend Getaway for EVERYONE!

This park is beautiful with plenty to do and see. We camped out at site 82 which is a non-electric site and close to a Red Rock Lake shoreline. Spots are pretty close but they perfectly have grass tall enough to give you some privacy between spots. I was never bothered by either neighbors. The grass also gives you a path to the water spout. The staff member at the front was such a gentlemen and helped us with our firewood. There are some walking paths down to the lake which you can fish from. The views by the lake are beautiful too. The only thing to keep in mind with this spot is it is as far away from the bathrooms as possible. I, personally, didn't mind, but wanted to make note of it. We will be returning to this park.

Restrooms: Cleaner than I expected! And they are not port-a-potty type bathrooms, plumbing with nice stalls, toilets and sinks.

Dog-friendliness: My dog LOVED this campground. We kept her on a long-line stake(per parks' guidelines) and she had plenty of room to roam.

Picnic area: A picnic table is provided but they are older, so I recommend bringing your own table cloth and some towels or something for the seats.

Site82

Month of VisitJune

(6) View All

Mia L.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2019

It's fine

Like most Iowa state parks, no sewer or water hook ups at site. Not super level. Near red rock, but cannot see the lake from the campground, cannot access the bike trail directly from campground. Wooded area, no trails or anything special in the park. Showers flooded the bathroom and had to push the button every 30 seconds to keep the water going.

Around this area there are many Marion county campgrounds that have better sites and amenities.