Iowa / Marion County

Whitebreast Camp

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens late April and operates through late September. Reservations required and available through Recreation.gov.

About

Whitebreast Camp is located on the south shore of Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The campground offers 132 individual campsites and two group sites, all equipped with either 30 or 50-amp electric hookups. Hardwood forests provide shade throughout the campground, creating a scenic setting along the Des Moines River. Facilities include both flush and pit toilets, hot showers, drinking water, a dump station, and a boat ramp. Whitebreast Beach is located nearby for swimming, and playgrounds are available for younger campers. Two day-use picnic shelters, Whitebreast Point (open) and Miner's Retreat (enclosed), are also within the recreation area. The campground is conveniently located just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Lake Red Rock offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, kayaking, and canoeing, with designated water trails along the shoreline. Fishing is popular for crappie, walleye, largemouth and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike, and bluegill. The 15-mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches from Pella to the Des Moines River and Cordova Recreation Area, providing excellent biking and hiking. Wildlife viewing is exceptional, with American White Pelicans and waterfowl migrating through in spring and fall, bald eagles present November through March, and white-tailed deer and turkeys commonly seen year-round.

Directions

From Knoxville, take County Highway T-15 northeast for 8 miles. Turn north onto County Highway S-71 and continue 2 miles, following signs to the campground. Address: 971 Highway S71, Knoxville, Iowa 50138.

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