Howell Station
Howell Station Campground sits just below the Red Rock Dam and Lake on the north side of the Des Moines River. Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake, located just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.
More like this: electric hookups in Iowa · reservable in Iowa · big rigs in Iowa · pets allowed in Iowa
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 135 |
| Host/management | 8 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 80 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
135 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 057 | KVIL | Back-in | 68 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 059 | KVIL | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 060 | KVIL | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 061 | KVIL | Back-in | 59 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 062 | KVIL | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 063 | KVIL | Back-in | 66 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 064 | KVIL | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 065 | KVIL | Back-in | 63 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 066 | KVIL | Back-in | 72 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 067 | KVIL | Back-in | 71 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 80 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 130, 140 are listed accessible |
Howell Station offers 143 campsites with 50-amp electric hookups. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water and two dump stations. Younger campers love the park's playgrounds, while anglers enjoy the great river fishing access.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
1081 198th Place Pella, Iowa 50219 From Pella, Iowa, take Highway T-15 southwest for 5 miles, then turn east on Idaho Drive to 198th Place. Travel south and follow signs to campground.
| Nearest town | Pella, Iowa |
| Coordinates | 41.3650° N, 92.9736° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Lowry Motorsports & RVs ↗ | 28.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Bass Pro Shops ↗ | 34.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
HOWELL STATION by Alaya Foote
Worth a stop
Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.
- 6.3 miCordova Day Use And Cabins ↗Day use
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- East Amsterdam SchoolBuilding · Pella · 1.6 mi
- Wabash Railroad BridgeStructure · Pella · 2.4 mi
- Coal Ridge Baptist Church and CemeteryBuilding · Knoxville · 2.6 mi
Natural features
Hardwood forests cover the riverbanks at Howell Station, offering shade and scenic views. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrate through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March. White-tailed deer, turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake.
Recreation
Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, largemouth and striped bass, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.
Guidebooks for Iowa
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Howell Station?
Sites at Howell Station are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Howell Station?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Howell Station?
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Howell Station have?
143 sites, including 135 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Howell Station?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Howell Station have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Howell Station?
Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water and two dump stations.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Howell Station?
Yes, pets are allowed at Howell Station. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Howell Station?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Howell Station?
Sites 130 and 140 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Howell Station?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Howell Station?
Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation