Pollmiller Park

"Nice open lake area. Boat docking area. Looks like some great fishing areas. Nice blocked off area and well marked for swimming. Decent trails several available. Several picnic tables available. Loved the nice newer playground equipment. Several toilets and port a potties available. Saw some people biking. Easy to find. Shelter house with outdoor grill area."

"No complaints about this county park. It has a nice fishing and kayaking lake and a paved bike trail. $20 a night for full hookup. They are in the process of concreting all of the 30 pads. About half of the sites are non reservable. It has a nice beach and swimming area for $1.00."

"Great out of the way fishing and swimming spot. Cabin is very reasonable. $85 per night and sleeps 8. $65 a night during the off season."

"Best little beach in the middle of iowa. My kods have fun playing in the sand. You can rent kayaks and paddle boats to."

"Maybe I caught Pollmiller Lake Park at a bad time. It was mid-May, on a Wednesday. The grass needed mowing, but perhaps the park mows just before the weekend. That would make sense. The campground has a pit toilet, not showers, and the brush surrounding the campground obscures the lake. The campground is also more on a slough of the lake, so the water is more stagnant. As I write this, I'm not impressed, and that makes me feel bad because I wanted to like this spot. The swimming area is a much nicer part of the lake, so I imagine that day picnicking is more emphasized and popular. Swimming begins at noon. There were a few spots for camping that seemed nice--flat and shaded. I arrived on my bicycle on a mini-tour of Lee County campgrounds. I think if someone were coming with an RV, camp trailer, or camper, then this quiet campground might be more appealing. One would have an indoor environment for the essentials, and the main appeal of the campground would be a bit of nature and some silence. The county website says the following: "Amenities include sunbathing and swimming areas, shower facilities, fishing, boating, camping (all services), horse-shoe pits, nature walk, numerous play and picnic areas, and restrooms and concession hut." Perhaps the shower is at the swimming area. "All services" for the camping probably means water, electric, and the pit toilet. At any rate, the beach area was definitely kept up better than the campground. Riding through town and then a mile or so on Pollmiller Trail, an aged but blacktopped bike and hiking trail, I hit the lake, park, and campground, which are at the edge of town. I feel that this park is not so different than other county parks I've visited and camped in around Iowa. I like a campground that has a little more visual appeal. For instance, Oakland Mills campgrounds are on the Skunk River, as Bentonsport Campground is on the Des Moines River. There was some construction going on in the campground, though, so the county is looking to maximize its facility and location. All things being equal, since it was just before noon when I arrived, I headed down the road to check out another county campground that was nearby. If this were the only choice for me to spend the night, I would have stayed and gotten my rest before moving on. I'm sure I would have had a quiet, peaceful night. Added five days after writing the review: Pollmiller Campground is being upgraded, but the park is being kept open. Hopefully, after construction, the campground will be maintained for a better experience."