Lewis and Clark State Park

Located in Onawa, Iowa

1 Hour from Council Bluffs, Iowa

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No Park Permit Required

Camping Fee: $18.00 for electric site $19.00 for Full Hook Up

Reservation Fee:  $4.00 per stay

Last Stayed:  7/2018

Camping Spot:  21

LAKE VIEW

Located on Blue Lake, this is one of our favorite campgrounds that you can just walk right out from your camping spot and swim or fish!  Some of the camping spots are just feet away from the water, which give it truly the ultimate water access.   The lake is 250 acres and has tons of activities including boating, skiing, jet skiing, swimming, kayaking and fishing.

Because our spot was right next to the water, we were able to fish and swim right from our spot.

While we were camping, our friends brought up their Kayaks, and we got to try out kayaking for the first time right from our camper!  It was an amazing experience and putting your kayak in right at your camping spot was one of the best things about this campground!

Watch my daughter Olivia’s video on our Kayaking adventure!  Please subscribe to her YouTube Channel at:  Exploring with Olivia – or click the button below to see all her fun and exciting videos!  Make sure to hit the Subscribe button.

BEACH

The beach is a little walk from the campground, but is easily accessible from the campground.  There is also plenty of parking around the beach as well, if you choose to drive over to it.  There is a nice restroom near the beach but no showers.  I believe there is outdoor water to rinse off.  There are also several places to stop and have a picnic in nice and shady spots.  The beach is a plus during the warm summer months.  When we were there in July, the beach was busy, but not overly crowded.

BOAT DOCK

Before the entrance to the campground, you will find a nice boat dock and parking area.

CAMPGROUND

The campground has 93 electrical spots, 13 Full Hook up sites, 1 Buddy Spots with electric, and 2 Youth Group spots.  There are several spots along the lake that have some amazing views and direct water access.  Most of the full access water spots are not very shaded, but do get some shade in the evenings.  Several spots with water access are 50 AMP – which is great in the hot summer months.  Each spot comes with a picnic table and fire pit.  We try and book early in the season, prior to April to get a spot along the water, so we can swim, fish and kayak right from our spot.

The sites not along the water are equally nice.  Most are very shaded and have nice yards and long pads.  The sites are not super close together, so you can have all your slides out and not be anywhere near your neighbor.  The campground is also very well maintained, grass was mowed up and dumpsters were located throughout the park, so they were not overfilled.

Spots 97-108 are Full Hook Up Sites.  Sites 97-102 are on a first come first serve bases, and are not reservable on-line.  Spots 103-108 are reservable, but do get taken quickly, so if you would like a full hook up site, I suggest you reserve these as soon as the campground is available, 90 Days from arrival date.

SHOWER HOUSES

The campground offers 1 Shower House.  The showerhouse/restroom were very clean and well maintained.  The main shower house is located in the middle of the campground, near the basketball court and registration building.

SPOTS WE LIKE

While it would be great to get the spots that have full hook up, they are harder to reserve, as they are usually taken first.  We liked the spots along the lake, and each spot along the lake was nice and big with great lake views.  We stayed in site 21, but also would enjoy any spot from 18-50 that are along the lake.  Spots 36-50 are a little more shaded than spots 28-01, but nothing too much in the full sun all day.

Spots 16-01 are still along the water, but have lots of lily pads in the water in front of the camper.  These spots you would not be able to swim from.  You could try and kayak from them, but it would be hard, as the lily pads are very thick in this area.  I would assume there would be good fishing from these spots, as the fish might concentrate near or under the lily pads.

KEELBOAT AND KEELBOAT DISPLAY ROOM

A great attraction at Lewis and Clark State Park is the full-sized replica of the Keelboat that Lewis and Clark used.  This boat even goes out at certain times with people aboard and cruises around Blue Lake.  Please check with park staff for this fun event.  There is also a very nice Display Room that houses other boats that were utilized during the Lewis and Clark expedition.   There is no charge to enter the display room, and it is a very nice place to learn about the history of Lewis and Clark.

PLAYGROUND

There is a playground located in the main campground near the restrooms/shower house.  The playground has a climbing structure with swings and another set of swings near it as well.  There is also a basketball court near the showerhouse/restrooms that is a nice addition to the campground.

WALKING/BIKING

Walking or Biking at the campground is perfect; the entire campground is flat which makes biking with younger ones great!  Just walking or biking through the park is nice, with lots of shade.  There is a road that goes around the back side of the park to the wildlife area, that is also nice for biking, and has less traffic than in the main campground.  Even biking/walking up to the entrance of the park is nice and shaded.

DUMP STATION

The park has one dump station that was flat and easy accessible near the entrance to the campground.

SUMMARY

Lewis and Clark State Park is a definite summer location for us.  Having access next to your camper to swim, fish and kayak is a huge perk to this park.  The park is very well maintained, and all the extra amenities, like the Keelboat/Display, boating, fishing and swimming make this a wonderful park to enjoy.  Even in the fall the leaves on all the trees are beautiful.  Make Lewis and Clark a stop on your camping adventure!