Three Elms County Park campground
Three Elms County Park
There are several nearby points of interest, including the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area, which is home to the Cedar Valley Nature Trail and the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo. Additionally, the nearby town of Manchester offers a variety of dining and shopping options.
The campground facilities include RV and tent sites, as well as picnic areas, fire rings, and playgrounds. The campground is first-come-first-serve, so those interested in camping should arrive early to secure a spot. There are a total of 25 campsites available at the Three Elms County Park camping area.
One quirky fact about the area is that the park was named after three large elm trees that once stood in the park. Unfortunately, the trees were destroyed by Dutch Elm Disease, but the park's name has remained the same.
The best time of year to visit the Three Elms County Park camping area is between June and August when temperatures average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. However, visitors should note that the park is open year-round, and different seasons offer their own unique beauty.
What's on-site at Three Elms County Park
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Three Elms County Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence City Rv Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Boies Bend County Area | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Veterans Memorial County Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Buffalo Creek Area | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Lime Creek Area Campground | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Three Elms County Park -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wapsipinicon River At Independence | 561 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River At Manchester | 260 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Waterloo | 3,400 cfs | → |
| Wolf Creek Near Dysart | 217 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Cedar Falls | 3,200 cfs | → |
| Black Hawk Creek At Hudson | 191 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Three Elms County Park -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo 1.9 Sse | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Waterloo Snow | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Waterloo Municipal Airport | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Fayette | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Cedar Falls 0.4 Wnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Cedar Rapids No 1 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Three Elms County Park
- Wapsipinicon River Access County Park
- Otterville Bridge State Access
- Buffalo Creek County Park
- Fontana County Park
- Lime Creek County Park
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Three Elms County Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Three Elms County Park
Can I make reservations at Three Elms County Park?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Three Elms County Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Three Elms County Park.