Wilson Island State Recreation Area
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Not posted
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- iowadnr.gov(712) 642-2069
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 537 acres, Wilson Island State Recreation Area lies in Pottawattamie County, about 2 miles north of Fort Calhoun.
Things to do include boating, hiking, and picnicking. Water access includes a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Pets
Privately owned animals must be on a leash of max six feet or confined; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds; most cabins/yurts are pet-free.
Statewide rule from Iowa's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- Iowa State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- 1-877-427-2757
The campground is 100% reservable and a reservation is required.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites Camp at one of Wilson Island’s many large, well-shaded campsites. The modern style camp area offers visitors showers, flush toilets, electric campsites and three large youth group camping areas. Advanced campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Wilson Island State Recreation Area. The campground is 100% reservable and a reservation is required.
Hunt in the hundreds of acres of public hunting areas. The entire recreation area, except where there are campgrounds and other developed sites, is open for hunting. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Camp at one of Wilson Island’s many large, well-shaded campsites. The modern style camp area offers visitors showers, flush toilets, electric campsites and three large youth group camping areas. Advanced campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Wilson Island State Recreation Area.
Hunt in the hundreds of acres of public hunting areas. The entire recreation area, except where there are campgrounds and other developed sites, is open for hunting.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingBoatingCampingPicnicking
Trails
Hike on the approximately five miles of trails throughout Wilson Island. These trails also can be used for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and mountain biking.
Boating, paddling and fishing
Fish in the Missouri River for walleye, paddlefish, catfish and more. Right on the river, Wilson Island offers a boat ramp and is the perfect place to cast a line.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Playground
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 32801 Campground Lane
Missouri Valley, IA 51555 - Nearest town
- Fort Calhoun — about 2 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.4886, -96.0095
- Phone
- (712) 642-2069
- wilson_island@dnr.iowa.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Iowa State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Iowa DNR 'All Parks' directory (Drupal view, ?page=0..3) — state parks, recreation areas, a state preserve and state forests
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology