We pulled the Coleman 17B into Fontana Park on a quiet weekend and came away genuinely impressed. Buchanan County does not get talked about enough as a camping destination, and this place makes a strong case for changing that. Here is everything you need to know before you book.
Table of Contents
Watch the Full Park Tour
Aaron Goes Outdoors walks you through the campsites, live animal display, fishing, the dam walk, and the shelter house at Fontana Park.
Where Is Fontana Park?
Fontana Park sits about a mile south of Hazleton, Iowa, on Highway 150 in Buchanan County. The address is 1883 125th St, Hazleton, IA 50641. It is roughly 9 miles north of Independence, Iowa, which makes it an easy drive from the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area.
If you have not been through this part of northeast Iowa, it is worth noting: you are in Amish country. The small towns in the area have Amish stores with baked goods, produce, and food that are genuinely worth a stop on your way in or out.
Campsite Options and Rates
Fontana Park has two distinct camping areas, each with a pretty different feel.
Lakeside Campground
This is the newer section with 26 full-hookup sites. You get water, electric up to 50 amps, and sewer at each site. Sites are a mix of paved back-ins and gravel. The rate is $30 per night, which is hard to argue with for full hookups.
The one honest thing to say about the Lakeside loop: the trees are still small. The campground is newer, and the landscaping just needs time to catch up. Privacy will improve as those trees grow, but right now, it is a more open feel than some campers prefer.
Creekside Campground
The original campground has electric hookups only (no water at the site), starts at $20 per night, and has the mature trees that the Lakeside loop is still waiting on. If shade and a woodsy feel matter more to you than full hookups, this is worth considering.
Cabins
Buchanan County also offers Sustainable Living Cabins at Fontana Park with solar electricity, two private bedrooms, a living/dining room, and a bathroom with a shower. Cabin rate is $95 per night.
Reservations
Book through mycountyparks.com. The park opens on April 15 and closes on November 1. It fills quickly once school lets out in late May, so book early for summer weekends.
The Live Animal Display
This is the thing that kept us coming back to it during our stay. Right within walking distance of the campsites, Fontana Park has a live wildlife display featuring Iowa-native animals that have been orphaned, injured, or human-raised and cannot survive in the wild.
Image from https://www.traveliowa.com/places/fontana-interpretive-nature-center/472/.
During our visit we spotted a barred owl, a great horned owl, a red-tailed hawk, a coyote, pheasants, ducks, a fox, and a bobcat. The animals are in enclosures and the display is open throughout the day, not just during nature center hours.
If you are camping with kids, plan to walk over here multiple times. Our daughter could not get enough of it.
Fishing at Fontana Park
Fishing is popular here, both on Fontana Lake and below the dam in Otter Creek. There are three jetties on the lake, and fishing below the dam is a well-used spot. Ice fishing is also allowed on Fontana Lake in winter.
The honest fishing note: Fontana Lake is shallow. The maximum depth is around 10 feet. If you are used to fishing deep lakes with heavier tackle and deeper rigs, you may need to adjust. I was not prepared for it on this trip and did not land anything, though I did see small fish in the water. Come with lighter presentations and you will have a better chance.
Trails and Walking
The park has 1.25 miles of looping hiking trails that skirt the lake and move through wooded areas. There is also a 1-mile paved trail connecting the nature center to the town of Hazleton, open for both hiking and biking.
The bridge and dam walk is a highlight. You can get right to the base of the dam, watch the water, and just exist for a while. The sound of the water at the dam is legitimately great. If someone releases a 10-hour loop of that, I will use it.
Playground and Family Amenities
There is a playground right in the campground area. We positioned our site close to it on purpose so our daughter could run over without going far. It worked exactly as planned.
The bathrooms and showers are clean. The lighting inside is a little dim, but everything you need is there: showers, stalls, solid facilities. No complaints.
The Shelter House
Fontana Park has a main shelter house, the Fontana Mill Shelter House, built on the foundation of the original 19th-century Fontana Mill. It overlooks the lake and the dam. The side panels flip up, opening the whole structure to the water and the air. Tables inside, grill outside, a small patio area.
The morning we arrived, a birthday party was wrapping up. Honestly, it is a perfect venue for that. Affordable, beautiful setting, and it can be reserved by calling 319-636-2617.
Things to Do Near Hazleton
The area around Fontana Park is worth planning around if you want to extend the trip.
- Amish Country: The small towns along Highway 150 and surrounding roads have Amish stores with baked goods and fresh food. Worth stopping on the drive in.
- Garage Sales: We happened to hit the area on a county garage sale weekend, which added a fun layer to the drive. Worth checking if a community event lines up with your visit.
- Jakway Park: Buchanan County’s other main camping destination, south of Aurora, is worth knowing about as a backup or a comparison if you explore the area.
- Non-motorized paddling: Canoe and kayak access is available on the Otter Creek section north of the nature center, with a small launch area near the nature center.
Fontana Park FAQs
Does Fontana Park have full hookups?
Yes. The Lakeside Campground has 26 sites with full hookups: water, sewer, and electric up to 50 amps. The rate is $30 per night. The Creekside Campground is electric-only (no water at site) and starts at $20 per night.
How do I make a reservation at Fontana Park?
All reservations are made online through mycountyparks.com. A small processing fee is included in the total. The park opens April 15 and closes November 1 each year.
Is Fontana Park good for kids?
It is one of the better family campgrounds we have been to. There is a playground in the campground, a live animal display with owls, hawks, a coyote, bobcat, fox, and ducks, and a paved bike/hiking trail. The nature center adds another educational stop when it is open on weekend afternoons.
What kind of fishing is available at Fontana Lake?
Fishing is available on Fontana Lake via three jetties and below the dam on Otter Creek. The lake is shallow, about 10 feet at its deepest, so lighter tackle and presentations suited for shallow water will serve you better than deep-water rigs. Ice fishing is also permitted in winter.
Are there cabins at Fontana Park?
Yes. Buchanan County offers Sustainable Living Cabins at Fontana Park with solar electricity, two bedrooms, a living/dining room, bathroom with shower, and a porch. Cabins are $95 per night and are booked online at buchanancountyparks.com.
When does Fontana Park fill up?
The campground fills quickly, especially after school lets out in late May. Summer weekends in particular book fast. Reserve early if you are planning a trip in June, July, or August.
Is there kayaking or canoeing at Fontana Park?
Yes. Non-motorized boats are welcome on the section of Otter Creek north of the nature center. There is a small loading/unloading area near the nature center for launching.
Final Thoughts: Is Fontana Park Worth It?
For $30 a night with full hookups, a live animal display the kids will ask to visit multiple times, clean facilities, good trails, and a beautiful dam walk, yes. It is worth it.
The honest critiques are small: the Lakeside campground trees need time to grow, and the lake is shallow enough that you need to fish it correctly to have success. Neither of those is a reason to skip it.
If you are looking for a no-drama, family-friendly campground in northeast Iowa with full hookups and things to do right in the park, Fontana Park belongs on your list.
For more honest campground reviews and camping content from Iowa and the Midwest, subscribe to Aaron Goes Outdoors on YouTube. No fluff, no sponsored opinions.
Campground details:
Fontana Park, 1883 125th St, Hazleton, IA 50641
Phone: 319-636-2617
Reservations: mycountyparks.com
Season: April 15 to November 1