Campground Closed: The campground is closed each year from November 16 - March 31.
Campground Operations: This campground is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations April 1 - November 15 until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival.
Book a Campsite at Rock Creek State Park, IA
Overview
Description
Rock Creek State Park, located in the eastern corner of Jasper County, is a very popular park among campers, but also offers a number of day-use activities as well.
Recreation:
Trails
There are 8.5 miles of multi-use, non-paved trails around the perimeter of the lake for hiking, biking, skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling. There is a 5.5 miles bike trail along the park's east side that goes to the town of Grinnell.
Lake Activities
Rock Creek Lake is one of central Iowa's most popular lakes. Along the lake are several artificial jetties next to boat ramps. At the south boat ramp, there is universally accessible fishing as well as boat slips available to rent from April 15 to October 15. Anglers can catch crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye and channel catfish from the lake. There is a beach that offers unsupervised swimming.
A park concession store offers snack food, boat rental, bait/tackle and firewood. The concession's number is 641-236-3876.
Facilities:
Camping
Rock Creek is one of central Iowa's camping hotspots and includes both electric and nonelectric campsites and campsites alongside the water. The campground has a modern restroom and shower building. There are no overnight accommodations for equestrian riders.
Picnicking/Shelters
Two picnic shelters are available at the park. One may be rented and the other may be used on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Nearby Attractions:
The Iowa Speedway outside of Newton and the Knoxville Raceway, approximately 30 miles south of Newton on Highway 14 host a number of racing events throughout the summer. Approximately 35 miles southwest, off Interstate 80, is the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and Prairie Learning Center. The center offers a movie, interactive displays and bookstore/gift shop all related to the natural history of prairies and prairie restoration. The refuge has hiking trails and a drive-through bison/elk enclosure.
NEARBY TOWNS
Kellogg is three miles west and two miles south of the park. Newton is four miles south and ten miles west on Highway 6. Grinnell is seven miles east of Rock Creek
Booking Window
Buddy
Sun Apr 20 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Shelters
Sun Apr 27 2025 - Mon Apr 20 2026Reservations must be made 7 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Electric
Sun Apr 20 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Standard Non-Electric
Sun Apr 20 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Youth Group Only
Sun Apr 20 2025 - Sun Jul 20 2025Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 3 Month(s) in advance.
Booking Rules
Please note camping reservations can be made for today until 10pm CST.Season Dates
Rock Creek Shelters:
Reservable: May 1 - September 30
Rock Creek Campground:
Closed: January 1 - March 31
Off Peak: April 1 - April 30
Peak: May 1 - October 15
Off Peak: October 16 - November 15
Closed: November 16 - December 31
Season Schedule
Park Season
Start
End
Off Peak
Tue Apr 01 2025
Wed Apr 30 2025
Peak
Thu May 01 2025
Wed Oct 15 2025
Off Peak
Thu Oct 16 2025
Sat Nov 15 2025
Off Peak
Wed Apr 01 2026
Thu Apr 30 2026
Services and Amenities
Within Park
- Bait
- Bird Watching
- Boat Launch Ramp
- Boat Rental
- Boating
- Canoe Rental
- Canoeing
- Concession
- Dock Slips
- Dump Station
- Firewood
- Firewood Sales
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Horseshoe Pits
- Ice Sales
- Jogging/Running
- Kayaking
- Modern Restroom
- Paddle Boat Rentals
- Park Lake
- Park Office
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Registration Building
- Restrooms
- Retail, Seasonal Concessions
- Showers
- Swimming - Beach
- Telephone
- Toilet, Pit/Vault
- Trash Dumpster
- Walking
- Water Hydrants
- Wildlife Viewing
Less Than 1 Mile
- Hunting
Within 10 Miles
- Hospital
- Town
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Facility Rates*
Park Season
Site Type
Nightly/Daily Rates
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2025 -
Apr 30 2025
Apr 01 2025 -
Apr 30 2025
Youth Group Only
$20.00
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Standard Electric
$12.00-$20.00
Shelters
$30.00-$35.00
Buddy
$24.00-$40.00
Peak Season
May 01 2025 -
Oct 15 2025
May 01 2025 -
Oct 15 2025
Youth Group Only
$20.00
Standard Non-Electric
$15.00
Standard Electric
$23.00
Shelters
$30.00-$35.00
Buddy
$46.00
Off Peak Season
Oct 16 2025 -
Nov 15 2025
Oct 16 2025 -
Nov 15 2025
Youth Group Only
$20.00
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Standard Electric
$12.00-$20.00
Shelters
$30.00-$35.00
Buddy
$24.00-$40.00
Off Peak Season
Apr 01 2026 -
Apr 30 2026
Apr 01 2026 -
Apr 30 2026
Youth Group Only
$20.00
Standard Non-Electric
$12.00
Standard Electric
$12.00-$20.00
Shelters
$30.00-$35.00
Buddy
$24.00-$40.00
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Getting There
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
41.75306, -92.83694
41°45'11"N, 92°50'13"W
Arriving on Interstate 80 take the Kellogg Exit number 173 to Hwy 224, take Hwy 224 north, through Kellogg, IA and approximately 6 miles then turn East on County Road F-27, go approximately 3 miles and then the third right turn south will be the campground entrance. Arriving on Hwy 30 take the Hwy 14 exit and head south on Hwy 14, Hwy 14 will go through the town of Laurel and T with County Road F-17 take F-17 east and turn south at Hwy 224 approximately 2 miles then at the intersection of 224 and County Road F-27 turn east, take Hwy F-27 approximately 3 miles and then turn south into the third entrance of the park off of County road F-27.
41.75306, -92.83694
41°45'11"N, 92°50'13"W
Arriving on Interstate 80 take the Kellogg Exit number 173 to Hwy 224, take Hwy 224 north, through Kellogg, IA and approximately 6 miles then turn East on County Road F-27, go approximately 3 miles and then the third right turn south will be the campground entrance. Arriving on Hwy 30 take the Hwy 14 exit and head south on Hwy 14, Hwy 14 will go through the town of Laurel and T with County Road F-17 take F-17 east and turn south at Hwy 224 approximately 2 miles then at the intersection of 224 and County Road F-27 turn east, take Hwy F-27 approximately 3 miles and then turn south into the third entrance of the park off of County road F-27.
Nearby Parks
[27.09 miles*]
[27.37 miles*]
[35.52 miles*]
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