History of the lake

The idea for Meadow Lake first came to Viola (Vi) Koch in 1952 as she and her husband, Marvin Koch, enjoyed a picnic lunch on their 280-acre farm, located five miles southeast of Tipton, Iowa. That year, the Kochs had saved money for a trip to Colorado, but as they gazed down at the swampy valley below—an area that always seemed to hold water—Vi had a different idea. Knowing Marvin was a “stay-at-home guy,” she suggested, “Let’s use this money to create our own vacation spot.”

With that, the Kochs hired a surveyor and a bulldozer operator to build a dam. Within a year, runoff from rainfall transformed the soggy valley into a picturesque four-acre lake, surrounded by rolling green hills. They stocked the lake with bass, bluegill, and, years later, catfish.

By 1955, the Kochs had opened an office at the lake and began welcoming friends and neighbors to camp. Over the years, Meadow Lake Campground steadily grew in both popularity and size. By 1973, the site had expanded to include 40 seasonal campers, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, camping hookups, and a recreation hall. In 1980, development continued on the west side of the lake, adding more campsites and increasing the campground’s total area to 70 acres with 80 campsites.

Marvin, known for entertaining campers with his accordion around the campfire, passed away in 1999. Vi, who remained a central figure in the campground’s history, passed on January 31, 2021, at the age of 102. After their passing, their sons took over the business, with Harlan (affectionately known as “Kookie”) carrying on the family’s tradition of warm, country-style hospitality. In 2022, Harlan helped transition the campground to new owners and continued to help manage it until his unexpected passing in 2023.

The Koch family played a vital role in the creation and long-standing success of Meadow Lake Campground. Today, that legacy lives on through a close-knit community of longtime campers and new members who join us each year. Whether you’re here to participate in activities or simply relax by the lake with a fishing pole in hand, Meadow Lake Campground offers something for everyone.