Howell Station
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Pella · Iowa · Lake Red Rock
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Lake Red Rock |
| Location | Pella · Iowa · Lake Red Rock · 41.36500, -92.97361 · Map |
| Sites | 135 public sites counted from the federal listing — 135 standard electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 143 of 135 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 0 of 135 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 135 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 135 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 80 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 143 sites · 30 ft: 143 sites · 35 ft: 143 sites · 40 ft: 143 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 3:00 PM · Out 2:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 143 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 2 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 641-828-7522 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview 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.
For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here: Lake Red Rock Website
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. Facilities 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.
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. Contact Info For local information, please call (641) 620-1802 or call (641) 828-7522 for general information. Nearby Attractions Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo. Charges & 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. Cancel or change reservations through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.
Directions, from the listing
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 federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · Knoxville IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Tailwater Picnic Shelter
1 mi straight-line · Pella IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)
1 mi straight-line · Knoxville IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSouth Overlook (Ia)
1 mi straight-line · Knoxville IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersNorth Overlook Camp
1 mi straight-line · Pella Iowa
Trip Card — Howell Station
Pella · Iowa · Lake Red Rock
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | Pella · Iowa · Lake Red Rock |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 143 |
| Max RV | Up to 80 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 135 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233516 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.