No Iowan’s life is complete without camping trips. Some of the best memories of all are the ones that involve sitting around a crackling campfire, roasting marshmallows, and telling stories late into the night with friends or family. Whether you prefer a cabin, a camper, or just a good-old sleeping bag and tent, here are 10 amazing spots to check out for some of the best camping in Iowa.

1. Backbone State Park, Dundee

1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038, USA
Louis/Flickr
There are two campgrounds at Backbone. The South Lake Campground, which contains both electric and non-electric sites as well as two shower buildings, a playground and a dump station, and the Six Pine Campground, near the west entrance of the park, which offers non-electric sites and pit latrines. There are also modern two-bedroom and one-bedroom cabins available, which come equipped with heating and air conditioning. It's very important to check the Backbone State Park website for the latest information on the status of the grounds.

2. Ledges State Park, Boone

1515 P Ave, Madrid, IA 50156, USA
Carl Wycoff/Flickr
Ledges State Park offers both electric and non-electric campsites. There are several hike-in sites and one youth group campsite. Modern restrooms, showers, a dump station, and a playground are located at the campgrounds as well. This is a great place to camp out after a long day of hiking and rock climbing! Be sure to check the Ledges State Park website for information while you're planning your trip.

3. Lake Red Rock Recreational Area, Marion County

Lake Red Rock, Iowa, USA
Bill Roehl/Flickr
Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake, so if you're in the area for a fishing or beach trip, camping is the perfect option for staying overnight. The area is about 10 minutes away from Pella, and there are many campgrounds in the area including: Elk Rock State Park Campground, Wallashuck Campground, Hickory Ridge Wilderness Camp, and plenty more. Make sure to check the Lake Red Rock website for reservations or additional information as you plan.

4. Saylorville Lake, near Des Moines

Saylorville Lake, Iowa, USA
Ken Ratcliff/Flickr
Another gorgeous lake area in Iowa, Saylorville Lake is a favorite spot for campers around the Des Moines area. There are many spots to pitch your tent for the night, including Cherry Glen Campground, Prairie Flower South Campground, and Bob Shetler Campground, to name a few. Make sure to check the Saylorville Lake website for updates and reservations.

5. Mill Creek State Park, O'Brien County

Iowa 10, IA-10, Paullina, IA, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Mill Creek Park offers 48 campsites that have access to water, electricity, cable, and internet. They also offer four camping cabins; Two six-person cabins, which are available during the summer months, and two twelve-person cabins which are available throughout the year and include a full kitchen and bath. Make sure to visit Clark County Park District online for the latest information on the status of the grounds before you go.

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6. Lake Macbride State Park, Solon

3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USA
Mike Willis/Flickr
Lake Macbride State Park has two campgrounds. The modern campground in the northern part of the park has electric, water, and sewer sites as well as a shower, restroom, and trailer dump station. The not-so-modern campground in the southern park area has non-electric campsites and restrooms available. The southern campground is located in a beautiful shaded setting near the lake, and both campgrounds have a playground nearby. Make sure to check the Lake Macbride State Park website for the latest info.

7. Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor

32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Todd Ehlers/Flickr
After a long day of hiking, sightseeing, or biking, Pikes Peak State Park is the perfect spot to set up camp for the night. It has a beautiful campground with 77 campsites, including 60 electrical sites, modern showers and restroom facilities, and a trailer dump station. The park concession stand, located just a short distance from the campground, offers a variety of refreshments, ice, and souvenirs to campers. Don't forget to check the Pikes Peak State Park website before you head out.

8. Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa

9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USA
Phil Roeder / Flickr
Maquoketa Caves has enough to do to keep you busy for days, so you may want to bring an extra set of clothes along on this camping trip! The campground at Maquoketa offers a scenic, secluded camping area, with 29 campsites nestled in between pine trees. It's complete with a modern shower facility, and around 15 campsites with electricity. Make sure to visit Maquoketa Caves State Park on the web for the latest information.

9. Coralville Lake, near Coralville

Coralville Lake, Iowa, USA
Alan Light/Flickr
The beautiful and scenic Coralville Lake is a great place to go for a family weekend excursion, whether you're boating, swimming, or camping. The area offers three different campgrounds and about 500 campsites. The campgrounds are Sugar Bottom Recreational Area, Dam Complex, and the Corps Lake Getaway Campgrounds. Make sure to check the Coralville Lake site on the web for all the latest information and updates.

10. Stone State Park, Sioux City

5001 Talbot Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103, USA
Ali Emanov/Flickr
The Stone State Park campground has 30 different sites and a modern restroom and shower building. There are also camping cabins, which have heating and air conditioning but no sanitary facilities. The cabins are located near the campground and allow cabin guests access to the showers at the campground. These cabins are rustic and charming, the perfect place for a perfect Iowa camping trip! Make sure to check the Stone State Park website for reservations and other information.

So, do you agree these are some of the best places to camp in Iowa? Are you planning to camp at any of these amazing camping spots in Iowa? Tell us all about your plans in the comments below.

Need a little more Iowa magic in your life? Here are some grossly-underrated places in Iowa that even locals don’t know exist. And if you need gear to ensure that you enjoy the best camping in Iowa, head on over to our friends at REI – you’ll find everything you need for camping on the site.

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More to Explore

Amazing Camping Spots in Iowa

Tori Jane | April 19, 2021

What are some of the most popular campgrounds in Iowa?

Iowa is home to bunches of beautiful campgrounds, so there’s truly something here for every taste. They’re special, and Iowa seems to be the only place in the world where you’ll find anything like them. You can choose from campgrounds at places such as:

  • Backbone State Park,
  • Lake Red Rock Recreational Area, and
  • Saylorville Lake, but

Those are not anywhere near all of your choices. Need some more inspiration? Check out this list of some of the best campgrounds in Iowa. 

Are there many things to do outdoors in Iowa?

There's plenty of things to do outdoors in Iowa!

  • Like most places, you’ve definitely got the ability to hunt, fish, camp and boat
  • There are some absolutely amazing hiking trails in the state for all experience levels, from nice and easy to hard and strenuous.
  • Pick any one of our gorgeous natural swimming holes and take a dip
  • Camp next to a lake
  • Do some rock climbing at a state park

The possibilities are endless, and we’re more than certain you’ll find the perfect thing to occupy your time with here year-round. It’s beautiful, the weather is usually pretty mild, and there are just SO many things to do. 

Where can I go hiking in Iowa?

Where there are trails, there will be hikers, and Iowa is home to over 2,000 miles of winding trails in different terrains, all at varying difficulty levels, so you’re guaranteed to find something perfect for your needs and your limits. Some of the most highly-rated trails in the state include:

  • The difficult Hitchcock Nature Center Loop Trail, which will lead you through some of the most breathtaking scenes in all of Iowa, and
  • The Maquoketa Caves Loop is an incredible (not to mention easy!) trail that you can utilize whether or not you hope to go spelunking in any of the caves. 

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