Reviews

Ursula Penrod

The park is so nice the host is wonderful they checked on everyone. It was the most quiet and beautiful park i ever gone to . I only wished they had a dump station. The Indian museum was very cool.

Debra A

I stopped here to visit the American Indian Cultural Center and walk/hike a couple of the short trails. Very nice. The Missouri River Overlook Trail was well-maintained and mostly level. The Memorial Trail was also well-maintained with an incline I found easy to climb but could be difficult for some. The park ranger at the cultural center was also very helpful and informative and the exhibits were good. I'm glad I visited.

Deborah Bowlen

I took my grandkids to Van Meter today. What a beautiful park! It was very clean and well maintained. When visiting the information center, the park ranger took the time to share hands on articles found in nature. This park is a hidden gem and is a must see! We will visit again.

L Diamond

This is such a beautiful park with trails, a playground, and camping sites. It's kept up nicely. The shelter houses and shower house are also very clean. During the summer, there is an activity/program on Friday and Saturday evenings near the RV park. The RV park and tent camping areas are in great condition and very reasonably priced.

John “Bill” James

The campground is very flat, excellent for tent or RV. Squirrels and birds are busy all day while possums and coons own the night. Coyotes will be heard in the distance also. Hosts are friendly and helpful. With only 2 flush toilets for women, and 1 flush toilet + urinal for men, as well as a single vault toilet for either, (all are a bit dated) the 21 campsites and 2 shelter houses all must share. 1 shower each for men and women is available. Firewood is $5 for a bundle of 7 sticks. Skies are dark but many trees block except straight up.

Nathan Powers

We camped out here for the weekend. The campground is one circular lot with I think around 18 spots. Some are basic just for tents and some have water and or electric. The ones on the inside of the circle have more space and are more open but you don't have any privacy. Most spots on the outside of the circle, especially on the north and west sides have more privacy but not as much space. The grounds are well kept with grass while maintained. I hiked on most of the trails in one day. I missed the memorial trail and boardwalk. Home that I walked on will maintained. Some of them are more difficult than others but none of them too strenuous. Note about the lake - Once you get to the parking lot for the lake you'll see nothing but trees. On the east side of the parking lot (next to the state park signage/billboard) there are two trail heads. Take the one on the left. There's a quarter mile hike down to the lake. The way back is mostly uphill. Not too steep, but steep enough you might feel it if you don't do much hiking/walking.

shelswanderlust

Beautiful campground. The place was literally just us. No one else was really camping here. That being said, do to recent heavy rain the place was full and I mean full of puddles and all kinds bugs. Not the campgrounds fault. But I asked to move to another site under some more shade and away from the puddles which should help w the bugs. After about 3 hours I’m told we can move but it’ll be $4. Are you kidding me?? We were the only ones here and there are only about 4 families coming today. Poor customer service. Not blaming the host, but whomever told him to handle this situation like this is awful js.