Lakeside-Prairie Campground

For Iowans seeking a refreshing escape into the heart of nature, Lakeside-Prairie Campground, located within the beautiful Fontana Park in Hazleton, Iowa, offers an ideal destination. This well-regarded campground provides a peaceful and well-maintained environment, perfect for individuals, couples, and families looking to connect with the outdoors. Whether you're an avid camper with an RV, prefer the simplicity of tent camping, or are looking for a unique cabin experience, Lakeside-Prairie Campground presents a wonderful opportunity to relax and explore the natural beauty of Buchanan County.

Lakeside-Prairie Campground is more than just a place to stay; it's an immersive experience within a vibrant park setting. It’s part of Fontana Park, a popular local attraction developed around the historic Fontana Mill & Dam site, encompassing Fontana Lake, Otter Creek, and extensive forest preserves. The campground is known for its cleanliness and accessibility, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all visitors. Imagine waking up to the sounds of local wildlife, spending your days exploring trails, fishing in the lake, or visiting the interpretive nature center. This blend of tranquility and engaging activities makes Lakeside-Prairie Campground a standout choice for local Iowans seeking quality outdoor recreation.

Lakeside-Prairie Campground is conveniently situated within Fontana Park, with its address listed as J34R+W9, Hazleton, IA 50641, USA. For more precise navigation and general park information, the main address for Fontana Park is 1883 125th St, Hazleton, IA 50641. This location in Hazleton, Iowa, makes it highly accessible for residents throughout Northeast Iowa and beyond. Hazleton is a small, welcoming community, and the campground's proximity to it means that while you’re enjoying the tranquility of the park, you’re never far from essential services, gas stations, or local conveniences.

Being located just a mile south of Hazleton, off Highway 150, ensures that the campground is easy to reach by car or RV, making travel straightforward for Iowans planning a trip. The well-maintained roads leading into and within Fontana Park contribute to a smooth arrival. The strategic placement of the campground within this larger park area allows visitors to enjoy both the peaceful setting of their campsite and the diverse amenities and attractions available throughout Fontana Park, often within walking distance. This balance of natural seclusion and easy access to services makes Lakeside-Prairie Campground a practical and appealing choice for local users.

Lakeside-Prairie Campground offers a variety of services and amenities designed to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience for all types of visitors. As part of Fontana Park, the facilities are managed by Buchanan County Conservation, ensuring a good standard of maintenance and care.

• Diverse Campsite Options: The campground offers various types of sites to accommodate different needs. This includes sites with electrical hookups (with different amp services to suit various RVs), and potentially non-electric sites for tent campers looking for a more rustic experience. Some sites are available for reservations, while others may be on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Modern Shower House and Restrooms: A significant amenity highlighted for the campground is its shower house with flush toilets. Clean and well-maintained restroom facilities are crucial for a comfortable camping trip, and Lakeside-Prairie aims to provide this convenience.
• RV Dump Station: For RV users, a convenient dump station is available within the campground, making waste disposal easy and hygienic.
• Firewood Availability: Firewood is typically available for purchase on-site. This is a crucial service that helps prevent the spread of invasive species by discouraging campers from bringing outside wood, which can carry pests.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite usually comes equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring, perfect for outdoor meals and traditional campfire gatherings under the stars.
• ADA Accessible Facilities: The park and its amenities are designed to be ADA accessible, ensuring that visitors with disabilities can comfortably enjoy the facilities.
• Sustainable Living Cabins: For those seeking a unique camping experience with more modern comforts, Fontana Park also offers sustainable living cabins. These cabins provide overnight comfort with solar electricity and energy efficiency, including two private bedrooms, a living/dining room, a private bathroom with a shower, a porch, table, grill, and fire ring. They are off-grid with all electrical needs supplied by roof-mounted solar panels with battery storage, offering a blend of nature and modern convenience.

Lakeside-Prairie Campground, as an integral part of Fontana Park, boasts numerous features and highlights that enhance the visitor experience and make it a truly special destination:

• Scenic Fontana Lake and Otter Creek: The campground is beautifully situated near Fontana Lake and alongside Otter Creek. This provides excellent opportunities for fishing (popular on Fontana Lake and in Otter Creek below the dam) and non-motorized boating, such as kayaking and canoeing, on the section of Otter Creek north of the Nature Center.
• Interpretive Nature Center: A major draw for visitors is the Fontana Interpretive Nature Center. This facility offers meeting and classroom areas, a variety of educational exhibits, a nature library, and an observation deck. It’s an engaging space for all ages to learn about Iowa's natural environment.
• Outdoor Wildlife Display: Adjacent to the Nature Center is a live outdoor wildlife display featuring animals native to Iowa. These animals are often orphaned, injured, or human-raised wildlife that cannot survive in the wild, providing a unique and educational viewing experience for guests.
• Extensive Hiking and Biking Trails: Fontana Park offers 1.25 miles of looping hiking trails that skirt the lake and wind through wooded areas. Additionally, there is 1 mile of paved trail open for hiking and biking that connects the Fontana Nature Center to Hazleton, perfect for leisurely strolls or more vigorous exercise.
• Playground Area: For families with children, a well-maintained playground is available within walking distance of the campground, offering a safe and fun space for kids to play and burn off energy.
• Picnic Shelters: Several picnic shelters are available throughout Fontana Park, some of which can be reserved for gatherings. These come with tables, electrical outlets, grills, and nearby restrooms, making them ideal for group events.
• Historic Mill Site: The park is developed around the site of the old 19th-century Fontana Mill & Dam, adding a touch of historical interest to the natural surroundings. The Fontana Mill Shelter House is built on the foundation of the old mill.
• Serene and Natural Environment: The overall atmosphere of Lakeside-Prairie Campground is peaceful and quiet, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the surrounding forest preserves and lake.

While specific, real-time promotions or special offers for Lakeside-Prairie Campground are best confirmed directly with Buchanan County Conservation, state and county parks typically offer standard rates. However, it's always worth inquiring about potential discounts or special packages:

• Online Reservations: Campsites and cabins at Fontana Park can often be reserved online through the Buchanan County Conservation or Iowa DNR reservation systems. Checking these platforms regularly can sometimes reveal seasonal availability or booking windows.
• Off-Season Rates: During the quieter months, generally outside of the peak summer season (e.g., late fall to early spring), some services might be limited (like water being shut off in winter), and rates could be adjusted.
• Group Reservations: If you're planning a large gathering or group camping trip, it's always advisable to inquire about potential group rates for campsites or shelter rentals.
• Educational Programs: The Fontana Interpretive Nature Center might host special programs or events, some of which could be free or have a nominal fee. Check their schedule for engaging activities during your stay.

For the most current information regarding camping fees, availability, reservations, and any potential promotions, it is highly recommended to contact Buchanan County Conservation directly. This ensures you have the most accurate details for planning your trip.

Lakeside-Prairie Campground is located within Fontana Park, managed by Buchanan County Conservation.

Address: J34R+W9, Hazleton, IA 50641, USA (This is a general Plus Code for the area. For direct park office contact, use the address below.)

Primary Park Address: 1883 125th St, Hazleton, IA 50641, USA

Phone: (319) 636-2617 (This is the phone number for Buchanan County Conservation, which manages Fontana Park and its campground. They can provide specific campground details, reservations, and current information.)

Lakeside-Prairie Campground within Fontana Park is an outstanding choice for Iowans seeking a convenient and enriching outdoor experience close to home. Its strategic location in Hazleton ensures easy accessibility from various parts of the state, minimizing travel time and maximizing your enjoyment. This campground stands out due to its integration within a larger county park that offers much more than just a place to sleep.

For local families, the combination of clean facilities, a dedicated playground, the engaging Interpretive Nature Center, and the unique outdoor wildlife display provides endless opportunities for education and entertainment. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the well-maintained hiking and biking trails, excellent fishing opportunities on Fontana Lake and Otter Creek, and the chance to observe local wildlife. The option of traditional campsites or comfortable, solar-powered cabins caters to diverse preferences, ensuring everyone can find their ideal way to experience the park. Lakeside-Prairie Campground truly offers a holistic outdoor adventure, making it a perfect spot for Iowans to relax, explore, and create cherished memories in the beautiful landscape of their home state.