Guests travel from all over the country to Licthsinn RV to pick up their new motorhomes and get their Winnebago motorhomes serviced. A steady stream of RV travelers also make the pilgrimage to the Winnebago factory daily in summer months to see where their motorhomes were built and take a factory tour. There is also the annual Winnebago Rally in July that brings several hundred RVs to the area. That’s a lot of people coming to and from the area!
Lichtsinn RV guests are always welcome to stay at the dealership while they are here for their RV delivery or service. We have electrical hook ups on site, fresh filtered water, dumping facilities and complimentary Wi-Fi. We have a comfortable guest lounge available with installed laptop tables, complimentary coffee and the latest in technology. Your pets are welcome to join you in the guest lounge and throughout the Lichtsinn RV dealership.
We put together a list of some of the many great places to camp for those that might want to spend an extra few days in the area.
Pilot Knob State Park
2148 340th St, Forest City, IA
Pilot Knob is a wonderful nature center located five miles east of Forest City. It’s the perfect spot for nature lovers, hikers and cyclists and has camping facilities as well.
It’s located in a rare tract of rolling hills in an otherwise flat countryside. There’s a lot to explore in this state park.
Pilot Knob State Park was dedicated in 1924 and has drawn many visitors to explore its hidden treasures and historical structures. Camping, fishing, hiking, and bird watching are just a few of the activities Pilot Knob provides.
The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed several structures in 1934. The entrance portals, stone shelter, three stone bridges, amphitheater and observation tower are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The observation tower is 30 feet tall and was supposed to be 40 feet tall but winter set in and the CCC had to stop construction.
Pilot Knob is listed in the Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. The park is a wonderful area for bird watching, particularly during migrations. Deer and turkeys are prevalent and readily seen. Turkeys were reintroduced into the area in 1979 and have flourished. Much of the wildlife can be seen while walking the thirteen and one half miles of trail through the park.
The park has excellent trails for hikers and horseback riders. Equestrians can enjoy the eight miles of trail allowed for horseback riding. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and snowmobiling. There are no overnight accommodations for equestrian riders.
Hidden within the 700 acre park and enclosed abrupt banks is the Dead Man’s Lake, a four acre floating sphagnum bog, the only one of its kind in Iowa. The bog is home to many unique species, one of which is the carnivorous sundew plant. Adjacent to the bog is a four acre lake. Because of its high acidity only specially adapted species can survive in the lake.
Pilot Knob also has a 15 acre lake that has good bass and bluegill fishing. It is a popular spot for ice fishing and ice skating. Electric trolling motors only are allowed on the lake.
The Pilot Knob Recreation Area, just north of Pilot Knob State Park is available for public hunting, hiking, snowmobiling and other activities.
Features:
- Hiking trails
- Amphitheater
- Shelters (2); ADA accessible
- Modern restrooms
- Showers
- Electric campsites (48)
- Full hook-up campsites (1)
- Non-electric campsites (12)
- Dump station
- Horseshoe pits
Pilot Knob Reservations:
Pammel Park
562-898, US-69, Forest City, IA
Pammel Park is located less than a mile from the Winnebago factory and the Lichtsinn RV dealership and is located within Forest City limits. It’s a scenic campground located on the Winnebago River. This campground is a short walk just across the street to beautiful downtown Forest City.
There are places to eat, drink and shop. There’s also an amazing disc golf course too if that’s your thing.
This is a great place to stay when you’re visiting the Winnebago factory. There’s a golf course that’s open to the public within walking distance and a dog park too. It’s also a good spot for canoeing or kayaking.
It’s probably not the quietest campground you’ve ever been to with its proximity to downtown and the fire station, but its location is perfect for those who are looking for the quintessential Forest City experience.
There are no online reservations available, but there are usually spots available at this campground.
Features:
- 43 parking pads with RV power outlets
- Shower house/restroom building
- RV dump station
- Playground nearby
Fees:
Overnight fee is $15.00, payable at campground self-service.
Video courtesy Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce
Clear Lake State Park
6490 S Shore Ct, Clear Lake, IA
Only 24 miles from Forest City is Clear Lake State Park which has one of the best beaches in Iowa. Clear Lake is the second largest natural lake in the state. It’s a haven for summer recreation activities including RVing. People travel from all over the Midwest to stay at this iconic getaway.
There’s a beautiful downtown area with quirky shops and eateries. Events happen in the downtown park almost every weekend in the summer. Clear Lake State Park is only a few miles from all the activity.
It is easy to go fishing and boating with many public access points and docks.
Clear Lake State Park is located on the southeast corner of the beautiful 3,643 acre Clear Lake, one of the major outdoor recreation features of northern Iowa. Although the state park is only 55 acres, it offers a tremendous diversity of recreational opportunities due to its location on the lake as well as its natural beauty.
This park is characterized by rolling ground with open, mature groves of oak trees. Several small draws and thickets provide habitat for owls, squirrels, opossums, raccoons, rabbits, many species of songbirds and an occasional deer. The scenic Woodford Island is a 3 acre island managed primarily for wildlife habitat and is an excellent spot for fishing.
The 900 foot sandy beach offers unsupervised swimming and is a great place for swimmers and sunbathers, young and old.
Clear Lake is a great place for fishing throughout the year. The lake offers good fishing for walleyes, muskie, northern pike, bullheads, catfish, yellow bass, crappies, and other panfish. Boaters enjoy skiing, jet skiing, sightseeing, wind surfing and sailing.
The park features more than 10 acres of picnic grounds with tables and grills. The shady picnic areas provide a great place for a family cookout. Playground equipment for small children is located in the picnic area adjacent to the campground. An open picnic shelter is available for online reservations.
A day-use lodge is located in the picnic area near the beach. Built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, this impressive historical facility is a great place for such group events as weddings, family reunions, company picnics, and other large group gatherings.
Clear Lake State Park has one of the most popular campgrounds in the Iowa state park system. The campground contains a modern restroom, shower facilities and trailer dump station.
Clear Lake offers the small-town, welcoming atmosphere along with large-town attractions. Visit the legendary Surf Ballroom, the site of many performances and the last performance of Buddy Holly, or walk downtown along the brick sidewalks to shop the antique stores and boutiques. Plan a summer excursion aboard the Lady of the Lake or take a bike ride around the lake.
The park lies adjacent to the town of Clear Lake which contains a thriving business and civic community. A short distance away (12 miles) lies Mason City, one of the largest retail centers in northern Iowa. The town of Ventura lies 6 miles away to the town of Garner is 13 miles away.
Features:
- Bicycling
- Bird Watching
- Boating
- Canoeing
- Dump Station
- Fishing
- Handicap Access
- Jet Skiing
- Jogging/Running
- Kayaking
- Lake
- Modern Restroom
- Park Office
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Registration Building
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Swimming – Beach
- Telephone
- Toilet, Pit/Vault
- Trash Dumpster
- Walking
- Water Hydrants
- Water Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Windsurfing/Sailboarding
Clear Lake State Park Reservations:
McIntosh Woods State Park
1200 E Lake St, Ventura, IA
McIntosh Woods State Park offers all the outdoor fun of Clear Lake in a more rustic and remote wooded setting. It also has a dedicated boat launch ramp and is located in a serene location in Ventura, Iowa on the west side of Clear Lake.
Nestled in a forest of tall oaks this campground is shaded and cool from the summer sun. There’s a small beach for swimming and floating.
It is located about five miles from all the downtown festivities in a quiet part of the lake.
McIntosh Woods is home to the only two yurts in our state park system. It is also the “anchor” base for anglers trying their luck on beautiful Clear Lake anytime of the year. In the winter, you can cross-country ski, snowshoe or ice fish. Whether you are here to fish, camp, swim, boat, sail, ski, snowshoe, paddle or just relax, you will enjoy your stay.
McIntosh Woods State Park is a 60-acre natural refuge located along the northwest shore of Iowa’s second largest natural lake, Clear Lake.
A one-mile interpretive hiking trail winds its way through the park with several key features highlighted along the route. The trail takes you through the Mallard Marsh on a walkway above the marsh that leads to a wildlife viewing blind where you can take photos of waterfowl, birds and a variety of wildlife species.
McIntosh Woods State Park is one of the major boating access points for Clear Lake. A modern boat ramp, the largest on the lake, is present with an extensive paved area for vehicle trailer parking.
Clear Lake is popular with anglers of all ages. A variety of fish may be taken in Clear Lake including walleye, panfish and channel catfish. To enhance angler enjoyment, a modern fish cleaning station is located near the boat ramp area at McIntosh Woods.
The park has a point or peninsula of land jutting out into the lake. This area includes an unsupervised beach which is popular for swimmers of all ages.
McIntosh Woods State Park is a popular spot for picnickers. The grassy and shaded picnic areas are a fine place for a family cookout. An open picnic shelter has been built near the boat ramp and can be reserved online.
McIntosh Woods’ shaded campground, complete with electric and non-electric campsites, is a favorite for many and is heavily used by boaters and fishermen. A modern restroom and shower building are present, as well as a playground.
A yurt is a traditional dwelling of the nomadic people of central Asia. They were found from Anatolia to Mongolia and, in Iowa, exclusively at McIntosh Woods State Park. Visitors to McIntosh Woods may stay in one of two yurts available for rent. The two yurts are unique and extremely popular for overnight accommodations on the lakefront.
Ventura Access, located one mile west of the park, is a satellite with an open shelter to rent, a basketball court, restrooms, two-lane boat ramp and a universally accessible fishing dock.
Another satellite area, referred to as the Harbor Inn, is located south of Ventura. It has an open shelter, restroom and shoreline fishing off a jetty. Just south of the fishing jetty is an area referred to as Ventura Cove, which provides a paved multi-use trail that winds through this wooded area. Across the lake from the natural sandbar at McIntosh Woods is another wonderful undeveloped public area referred to as Lone Tree Point/Farmer’s Beach. This wildlife refuge provides excellent outdoor opportunities, whether you like to shoreline fish, hike, ski, snowshoe or stargaze. Clear Lake State Park is located on the southeast portion of the lake.
McIntosh Woods State Park is located between the cities of Clear Lake and Ventura. Mason City is ten miles to the east of Clear Lake and Garner is seven miles west.
Features:
- Bird Watching
- Boat Launch Ramp
- Boating
- Dock, Boat
- Docks, Fishing
- Dump Station
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Fishing
- Handicap Access
- Hiking
- Jet Skiing
- Kayaking
- Lake
- Modern Restroom
- Motel
- Park Office
- Parking
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Registration Building
- Restrooms
- Sail Boating
- Showers
- Swimming – Beach
- Telephone
- Trash Dumpster
- Walking
- Water Hydrants
- Wildlife Viewing
Reservations:
MacNider Campgrounds
901 Birch Dr, Mason City, IA
MacNider Campground is a great place for families. Nestled into a wooded neighborhood on the east side of Mason City, Iowa about 29 miles from Forest City, this place has a lot to offer.
This urban campground is on the grounds of the Mason City Family Aquatic Center. This expansive facility has giant water slides, diving boards, fountains and a zero-entry kiddie pool. It’s also adjacent Mason City’s largest park that has an amazing playground for kids and grandkids.
You’ll find plenty of places to shop, eat and be merry one mile away in downtown Mason City. There’s even bike and electric scooter rentals on site so you can get around easily while you’re there.
Features:
- Water service
- Sanitary sewer service
- Electrical service
- Dump station
- Tornado shelter
- Bath house
- Picnic shelters
- Office
- Camp store
The campground includes 20 full hookups including water, sewer and electrical; 55 hookups for water & electrical; 20 tent camping sites with water only for a total of 95 camping sites. Each campsite includes a fire ring and picnic table
Fees:
Full Hookup (sewer, water, electricity) $26 per night
Water & Electricity $17 per night
Tent $12 per night
Reservations are not taken. Camping is on a first come – first served basis.
Crystal Lake Park
1045 320th St, Forest City, IA
If you’re looking for something more pastoral, Crystal Lake Park might be the perfect place! Located just nine miles west of Forest City it’s a quick jaunt from Lichtsinn RV.
The park offers the only public boat launch and beach on Crystal Lake as well as a campground with 65 Electric and 22 Primitive (non-electric) sites.
Features:
- Primitive & Electric Camping
- Water and Waste Station located near registration kiosk
- Playground
- Disc Golf Course
- Beach & swimming
- Fishing
- Boating
Park Hours are 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Campground facilities are open May 1st to October 15th Annually.
Fees:
- Electric sites are $15/night and non-electric are $10/night (14 day maximum stay)
- All sites are rented on a first come, first served basis.
Information accurate as compiled 7/20/2021. Data and descriptions provided by Iowa DNR, County Conservation via MyCountyParks.com, Forest City Chamber of Commerce, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and City of Mason City Iowa.
To find out more about how Lichtsinn RV is different than other dealers and learn about the Lichtsinn RV Experience CLICK HERE.
Experience the Best® at Lichtsinn RV, the #1 Winnebago Dealer in North America for the last six consecutive years. Lichtsinn RV is located 1 mile north of Winnebago Industries in Forest City, IA and we proudly sell new Winnebago motorhomes and pre-owned RVs from various manufacturers. While at Lichtsinn RV, you can expect no delivery miles on new RVs, a complimentary half-day educational orientation of your RV, excellent guest reviews, an assigned support team from sales, parts, service and the business office, superior accommodations, no-hassle pricing and competitive financing. See our extensive new and used inventory here. Family is central to Lichtsinn RV’s success Visitors Guide: Camping in Forest City and North Central Iowa
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