R Campground in Charles City, Iowa: Your Base for Local Adventures

R Campground Introduce

Hello, fellow Iowans! If you’re looking for a convenient, budget-friendly spot to enjoy the outdoors in Northeast Iowa, R Campground in Charles City offers a unique experience for campers of all kinds. This 18-acre property, nestled along the beautiful Cedar River, aims to provide a relaxed setting for your next adventure. Whether you're passing through, enjoying the local attractions of Charles City, or simply seeking a quiet escape into nature, R Campground serves as a practical base for your travels in the Hawkeye State.

R Campground focuses on self-service simplicity, allowing guests to settle in at their own pace. While some aspects of navigation might require a bit of patience, the core offerings provide a solid foundation for an enjoyable stay in a charming Iowa town. It's a place where the sounds of the river and the rustling leaves create a true camping ambiance, offering a tranquil alternative to more bustling environments.

Location and Accessibility

R Campground is located at 1910 Clark St, Charles City, IA 50616, USA. This placement in Charles City, a vibrant community in Floyd County, positions it advantageously for both local residents and travelers exploring Iowa. The campground's setting along the Cedar River provides a scenic backdrop and opportunities for water-based activities.

While some visitors with larger rigs have noted that the turn onto Clark Street from 200th Street can be tight, the campground's central location in Charles City offers easy access to a variety of local amenities and attractions. Guests will find numerous options for dining, shopping, and entertainment just a short drive away. Charles City is particularly known for being home to Iowa's first whitewater course on the Cedar River, a fantastic draw for paddlers and spectators alike. The Charley Western Recreational Trail, a paved path perfect for biking and walking, runs nearby, offering a chance to explore the area on two wheels or on foot. Other attractions include the Floyd County Museum, the Charles City Arts Center, and various parks and disc golf courses, ensuring there's plenty to do for all interests. The combination of an "out in the woods feel" with city amenities within reach makes R Campground a conveniently located choice for your Iowa adventures.

Services Offered

R Campground provides fundamental services designed to make your camping experience straightforward and comfortable. Here are some of the key amenities and offerings:

Campsites: The campground offers various site types, including full hookup spots (water, electric, sewer), electric-only sites, and tent sites. This variety caters to different camping preferences and equipment.
Self-Service Registration: Upon arrival, guests are directed to the Laundry House to register, where they can fill out forms and obtain a map of the campground. This self-service approach offers flexibility for arrivals.
Clean Restrooms and Showers: A significant highlight noted by guests is the well-kept shower house and restrooms. They are consistently cleaned and equipped with automatic scent sprayers to maintain a pleasant environment. The showers are reported to be in excellent condition.
Laundry Room: A laundry facility is available for guest use. While there have been some mentions of occasional service issues, it remains a valuable amenity for longer stays.
Canoe Rentals: For those looking to explore the Cedar River or the on-site pond, canoe rentals are available for a daily fee.
Fishing Pond: The campground features a 3-acre pond that offers easy fishing opportunities for campers.
Campfire Wood and LP Gas: For added convenience, campfire wood and LP gas are sold on site, ensuring you have everything you need for cozy evenings.
Pet-Friendly: The campground is generally pet-friendly, welcoming furry companions, though guests should ensure their pets are well-behaved and kept under control.
Tent Sites with Flexibility: In instances of unforeseen circumstances like flooded tent sites, the campground has shown flexibility in allowing tent campers to utilize RV sites when available, demonstrating a willingness to accommodate guests.

Features / Highlights

R Campground, despite its rustic and self-service nature, offers several features that appeal to campers seeking a relaxed and authentic outdoor experience in Iowa:

Peaceful and Quiet Atmosphere: Guests consistently highlight the quiet nature of the campground, especially at night. This makes it an ideal spot for those looking for a tranquil escape from urban noise.
Highly-Rated Shower House/Restrooms: The cleanliness, good smell, and presence of a large fan in the shower house/restrooms receive high praise, often described as "5 stars," which is a crucial aspect of a comfortable camping experience.
On-Site Fishing Pond: The 3-acre fishing pond provides a convenient and enjoyable recreational activity right within the campground, perfect for casual anglers.
Direct Access to Nature: Situated along the Cedar River and offering an "out in the woods feel" despite being in the city, the campground provides a natural setting with shade trees.
Affordable Rates: The pricing for full hookup, electric-only, and tent sites is generally considered reasonable, making it a budget-friendly option for many travelers.
Proximity to Charles City Attractions: Its location allows easy access to the unique Charles City Whitewater Park, paved recreational trails, and various downtown amenities, offering a blend of outdoor adventure and city convenience.
Flexible Management (in certain situations): The willingness to accommodate guests, such as allowing tent campers to use RV sites due to flooding, demonstrates a guest-focused approach.
Potential for Longer Stays: The availability of monthly and weekly rates, including a "buy 6 nights, get the 7th free" offer, makes it appealing for extended visits.

Contact Information

For reservations, inquiries, or more information about R Campground, please use the following contact details:

Address: 1910 Clark St, Charles City, IA 50616, USA

Phone: (641) 257-0549

Mobile Phone: +1 641-257-0549

Email: host@rcampground.com

Reservations can also be made by calling the phone number or emailing.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Iowans, R Campground in Charles City presents a practical and accessible option for a local camping getaway. While its self-service nature and navigational challenges for very large rigs are points to consider, its core strengths lie in its peaceful atmosphere, very clean and well-maintained restroom and shower facilities (a major plus for any camper!), and its budget-friendly rates. This makes it a particularly suitable choice for those who prioritize a quiet retreat and value essential amenities over luxury resort features.

Its proximity to the Cedar River and a private fishing pond offers immediate outdoor enjoyment, and the easy access to Charles City's unique attractions like the whitewater course and recreational trails means you're never far from adventure or necessities. For a spontaneous weekend trip, a stopover on a longer journey across Iowa, or even an extended stay to explore the region, R Campground provides a comfortable and understated charm that resonates with the practical spirit of the Hawkeye State. It's a place where you can relax, enjoy nature, and still be close to the conveniences of a friendly Iowa town.

R Campground Photos

R Campground Location

R Campground

Iowa Floyd County Charles City Clark Street

1910 Clark St, Charles City, IA 50616, USA

R Campground Reviews

First and foremost, we are full-time RVs since 2022 and had the privilege to visit plenty RV parks and resorts. From county parks to state parks to luxury RV resorts we visited all kinds of properties. With that said we found that we enjoy campsites that are leveled, easy access, big rig, friendly, and easy to navigate throughout the RV park.We found none of those things once we pulled into this RV park! Unfortunately, yes, this is self service, but there is no CLEAR direction whatsoever once you enter the campground.When I called to make a reservation, I was instructed by the gentleman to call as I arrive so he could provide directions. I called 30 mins prior to arrival ….. but no answer.Once you arrive, you’re instructed to go to the Laundry house to register. I knocked, walked in but the place was empty.I read the signage and filled out a form and grabbed a map.Now I’ve seen PLENTY maps and understand logistics but this was extremely confusing. Typically, you see different colors to indicate whether it’s a 30 amp spot or 50 amp. We need something long with full hookups, which the gentleman on the phone confirmed.After this …. You’re basically on your own, I decided to get off instead of having my husband pull the rig around since it’s a big rig.But we found that we basically have to drive around to locate a semi level spot.We tried a couple different sites, but most of them were EXTREMELY un-level & there was NO WAY we would’ve been able to level the rig even with all of the right tools. (Which we did.)The other disadvantage is there’s no signage for the sites, which made it even harder to navigate throughout the park. The picnic tables are extremely worn and would have some safety concerns. Lastly, the park is surrounded by homes …. The site we ended up at (NWT29) was the backyard of one of those houses. Zero privacy for the home owners or us.Half of the park was closed offer which appeared to be a little nicer and more level, however, the rest of the park was extremely trashy, dirty and appeared abandoned.Lastly, the final thing to point out if you have a big rig …. GPS took us to 200th St & Clark St …… which was EXTREMELY TIGHT TO TURN onto Clark St. We cringed as we made the turn. 😬Not sure how this place got an 8.9 review and why others have stated this was a nice park because it’s anything but. Not to mention the convenient /liquor store in front of the campground which should’ve been our first instinct to RUN!Needless to say this our LEAST favorite stay. It’s only a one nighter so we’ll make it work but anyone with a BIG RIG 40 foot + should really reconsider.I would not recommend staying here.
Mar 26, 2025 · Jewelz Garcia
The shower house/restrooms is well kept. They keep it clean, they have automatic scent sprayers so it smells good, and there is a large fan you can turn on in there. The shower house itself is 5 stars! The tent site was all flooded out so they let us pitch tent in the RV site. Great experience. I'll be coming back again for sure. It was also really quiet!
Jul 05, 2024 · Dawn
Updated review:I’ve stayed here many times now. I’m always impressed. Everyone is very nice and helpful. All of the hookups are easy to use. There is a laundry facility, and they have quarters available for you. They have a shower room and an area to sit and relax. They fill propane here as well. There are canoe rentals. There is a playground. All of the sites look very nice and very well maintained. They are gravel and I have always had a level site. The river is beautiful. There is also a pond. Lots of land to walk around. I still highly recommend!Previous review:Very nice campground, very convenient! Open in the winter, has full hook ups that work perfectly! Cute little town and it’s right on a river. It’s really well maintained. I would definitely stay again, and I highly recommend!
Apr 14, 2024 · Katrina Emery
What a great place!! Hosts and so helpful and friendly. We stayed a week. Clean, wonderful view of the river, close to shops and Clear Lake. Bathroom and showers clean and well maintained. Charles City is a cute and convenient town. Would stay again and highly recommend.
Aug 28, 2023 · Just Tam
Stopped in without a reservation, hosts were superb, we stayed an extra day too. Layout was perfect, grounds were well kept, nice lake yards away with a fishing river running down the side of the camp. We walked into town to play 10 pin bowling which was only a 15 min walk. Ablutions and laundry facilities were immaculate, very highly recommended.
Aug 19, 2022 · Duffster