RV Rental Burlington, IA

Burlington, located on the Mississippi River in southeast Iowa, is a community of 25,663 people and serves as a regional center for shopping, education, employment, and recreational activities. Before European settlers arrived, the Fox and Sac Native Americans inhabited the area, calling it "Shoquoquon," which meant "Flint Hills." In 1834, John Gray, the first person to purchase a plot of land in the region, renamed it "Burlington" after his hometown in Vermont. The city was incorporated in 1836. Burlington boasts a beautiful location on the river bluffs. Visit Cobblestone Alley, a composition of large blocks of limestone located a quarter-block east of Snake Alley, one of the most crooked streets in the world. The Des Moines County Heritage Center and Phelps House Museum are other tourist attractions with a significant city history. The Hawkeye Log Cabin, located in Crapo Park, is a museum that recalls the settlement era. Snake Alley is a must-visit as it is known for its five half-curves and two quarter-curves. It is made of limestone and bricks and has a length of 275 feet, rising 58.3 feet from Washington Street to Columbia Street. Burlington also offers many recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. The city's award-winning sports complex, the Burlington Regional Rec Plex, is ideal for sports and fitness activities. Other alternatives include the Dankwardt Pool, a disc golf course, boat ramps on the Mississippi River, bike trails and the Flint Hills Municipal Golf Course. The city also features over 200 acres of parks and green spaces with a disc golf course, a pool, an off-leash dog park, ballfields and playgrounds. Crapo Park, located next to Dankwardt Park, features an arboretum, Lake Starker, walking paths and beautiful views of the Mississippi River from the bluff. Mosquito, Riverside and Saunderson Parks feature recreational activities and natural beauty. Enjoy food and drinks at the Beancounter Coffeehouse & Drinkery. It has some of the best coffee and directly supports giving pups a second chance. Other exciting restaurants are Jerry's Main Lunch, La Tavola Italian Eatery, and Napoli Pizza and Restaurant.

Campgrounds Near Burlington, Iowa

Cedar River Campground in Tipton, an hour and 15 minutes north of Burlington, is open seasonally from April 15 to October 15. It has 185 RV sites, all of which have water and electric hookups. The campground features 1,000 feet of river frontage, making it an ideal place to go fishing, canoeing and tubing. Other amenities include showers and restrooms, a camp store, a pool, playground areas and a miniature golf course. An hour and 20 minutes northeast of Burlington is Summit Campground, which is also open seasonally from mid-April to mid-October. All 128 RV sites come with water and electric hookups. The park also has restrooms and showers, a playground, and a dump station. Another quality choice for camping is Interstate RV Park in Davenport, an hour and a half northeast of Burlington. There are 100 RV sites, all of which come with 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups. About half of the sites have full hookups. The park features a swimming pool, a camp store, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, a dog walk and a dump station.

National Parks Near Burlington, Iowa

Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri, three hours and 35 minutes southeast of Burlington, encompasses 91 acres of riverside land. It features the iconic Gateway Arch, historic city buildings and modern museums. The arch serves as a symbol of the pioneer history and an unofficial dividing line between the Eastern and Western U.S. The park is located in the heart of St. Louis, a city with a population of over 300,000 that features many dining, cultural and entertainment options. Indiana Dunes National Park, formerly a National Lakeshore, was officially reclassified as a National Park in February 2019, making it the 61st national park in the country. The park is located in northwest Indiana along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, four and a half hours northeast of Burlington, and comprises 15 miles of lakefront. It also includes over 20 square miles of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and water sports. The park is just over an hour away from downtown Chicago, surrounded by midsized towns like Porter, Chesterton and Gary. Mammoth Cave National Park in Central Kentucky, eight hours southeast of Burlington, is home to the longest cave system in the world. Visitors can explore areas such as the Frozen Niagara, featuring flowstone formations, and the historic entrance leading to the Rotunda and Gothic Avenue. Also, the park provides tours of different interests, including an accessible tour for guests in wheelchairs. The cave is always dark, humid and chilly, so visitors are advised to bring a light jacket. For those who don't fancy an underground adventure, there are plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and boating in the nearby rivers.

State Parks Near Burlington, Iowa

Located 20 minutes west of Burlington, Geode State Park is known for its geodes displays. The displays feature mysterious crystal formations viewed from the geodes' hollow cavities. Broad-winged hawks, turkey vultures, cuckoos, northern cardinals and other bird species call this park their home, making it a perfect bird-watching spot. Visitors can fish and ride boats in a lake within this park. You may also enjoy the hiking and biking trails around the lake. Should you camp here, you will have access to electrical, water and sewer hookups. Visit the Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area to enjoy boating and fishing. This wildlife area is located in Illinois, an hour and 35 minutes southeast of Burlington, and covers around 5,660 acres. Deer, ducks and several endangered animal species live here, including the bald eagle. Some popular leisure activities are deer and waterfowl hunting and cross-country skiing. There is a picnic area inside the park where you can enjoy a meal while watching wildlife. Drive two hours southeast of Burlington to explore the beautiful Sand Ridge State Forest in Illinois. It is the largest forest in Illinois, home to lush trees, pine plantations and beautiful prairies. Hike the various trails, or go fishing and boating. If you love geocaching, you can participate in the ranger-led programs. The park has two pet-friendly campgrounds and is a sanctuary for white-tail deer and wild turkeys.

National Sites Near Burlington, Iowa

Visit the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site to learn more about the history of the 31st president of the United States. This historic site is located in West Branch, an hour and 20 minutes north of Burlington, where Herbert and his family lived. The site features a historic blacksmith shop, a meeting house and a schoolhouse. A library and a museum that tell more about the early life of Hoover are located here. Visitors can hike the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site Walking Route and the Tallgrass Prairie Trails. Located in Springfield, Illinois, two hours and 35 minutes southeast of Burlington, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site introduces you to the life of Abraham Lincoln, the United States' 16th president. The site features Abraham Lincoln's 17-year family home, a visitor center and historic houses. Visitors can tour the Lincoln house, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and the Illinois State Military Museum. Hike the Lick Creek Wildlife Preserve Trail to enjoy scenic views of a lake, wildflowers and wild animals. Nature trips along the great forested Lewis Memorial Acres Outer Loop are common. You can watch birds while hiking the Carpenter Park Trail. Effigy Mounds National Monument educates visitors on the American tribes who built mounds that they considered sacred. The mounds resemble animals including deer, bears, birds, lynx, turtles and panthers. The monument is located along the Mississippi River, three hours and 25 minutes north of Burlington, and features a visitor's center. Visitors can go hiking along available trails that cut across the hardwood forest. Other leisure activities you can participate in include bird-watching, cross-country skiing, wildlife watching and bike riding.

National Forests Near Burlington, Iowa

Located in Harrisburg, Illinois, six hours southeast of Burlington, Shawnee National Forest is a protected historical site that explores how enslaved people journeyed to the North in search of freedom. It was one of the safe waypoints. Besides learning about this history, you can hike the Rim Rock Trail while enjoying scenic views of wildflowers and the forest. You can also explore the Ox-Lot Cave and massive rock towers, and other recreational activities include stargazing, sightseeing and wildlife viewing. Several lakes and ponds offer fishing opportunities. In Indiana, six hours and 40 minutes southeast of Burlington, Hoosier National Forest, covering 202,814 acres, is a prime example of the responsible management and conservation efforts by the U.S. Forest Service. It features a diverse ecosystem with streams, lakes and reservoirs teeming with fish. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the forest's 265 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The forest also contains roads running through it, connecting several historic communities within its boundaries for centuries. Remnants of abandoned settlements, once thriving due to the lumber industry, can also be found within the forest. Mark Twain National Forest is a distinctive national forest. It is made up of nine separate sections spread throughout southern Missouri, six hours south of Burlington. With a total area of 3,068,800 acres, it is the only national forest in Missouri and operates as one unit even though only 1,506,100 acres are publicly owned. Located within the Ozark Mountain Range, the forest boasts a diverse array of trees, wildlife, fish and birds that thrive in the natural habitats of public and private land.