The 15 Best Campgrounds in Iowa – Top-Rated & Hidden Gems
Melissa Mahoney
Author
Are you planning your next outdoor getaway? There’s nothing better than spending some time outdoors, right? You may be in the market for the best camping in Iowa for your next outdoor adventure. With its winding rivers, waving fields, and stunning rock formations, The Hawkeye State boasts spectacular natural beauty. It’s no wonder, then, that Iowa contains over 4,400 overnight campsites across its parks, forests, and wilderness areas! With so many choices, finding the perfect launch pad for your al fresco fun can be difficult. Whether you’re seeking back-to-nature adventure or nature-adjacent luxury, we’ve found some of the best campgrounds in Iowa.
Best State Park Campgrounds in Iowa
Boasting 83 state parks and recreation areas, the Hawkeye State is a place that’s chockful of outdoor adventure. (And what’s not to love about Iowa’s state parks?) And outdoor adventure at these parks includes camping, of course! Here are some of the best campsites in Iowa that happen to be at some of the state’s stunning parks:
1. Ledges State Park
- Location: Madrid, IA
- Popularity: This is a very popular state park and camping reservations should be booked in advance.
- Park Info: The campsites have been recently renovated. A reservation is required for any campsite here.
- Price per night: $6/walk-to and standard non-electric sites; $12/standard electric; $18/standard full hook-up; $25/shelter and youth group.
The 1,200-acre Ledges State Park offers stunning forests as well as lakes and rock formations. Take a walk through the park and you'll encounter footbridges and stone buildings that only add to the allure of this park. With so. much beauty and recreation, this is one of the best places to camp in Iowa.
2. Backbone State Park
- Location: Dundee, IA
- Popularity: Very popular.
- Park Info: The campsites are clean and modern and open year-round. Cabins, tent sites, and RV sites are offered here.
- Price per night: $6/walk-to and standard non-electric sites; $12/standard electric; $18/standard full hook-up; $25/shelter and youth group; $100-$150/family cabin; $200/deluxe family cabin.
Backbone State Park is an ideal place to camp. Why? Well, first of all, there are several ways to camp including log cabins, tents, and RVs. Don't you love having options? I sure do! And then there are all the things you can do here including hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
3. Pikes Peak State Park
- Location: McGregor, IA
- Popularity: As one of the most popular Iowa state parks, it's strongly encouraged to book your campsite in advance.
- Park Info: This park offers over 11 miles of trails and views of a 500-foot bluff. It sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers and is one of the most visited parks in the state.
- Price per night: $12/standard electric; $18/standard full hook-up; $20/youth group
At Pikes Peak State Park you'll be able to enjoy plenty of views along with recreation like hiking, Home to Bear Mound as well as Bridal Veil Falls, among the most stunning waterfalls in the state, you'll have so much natural beauty and history to immerse yourself in while you camp. This park is among the best camping spots in Iowa.
4. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground
- Location: Maquoketa, IA
- Popularity: Camping is quite a popular activity at this very popular state park.
- Park Info: The season for camping at this Iowa state park is between mid-April and mid-October. There are both modern and primitive campsites available for reservation.
- Price per night: $6/walk-to; $12/standard electric; $25/youth group and shelters.
Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground is known for both its cave system and its bat population. It's a popular place for spelunking and hiking. Exploring a cave here is a must as there's no other park quite like this in Iowa! To camp here, you must reserve a site in advance.
Best Waterfront Camping in Iowa
While you won’t find typical beach camping like the coastal states here in Iowa, you can find lakeside and riverside campgrounds. Here are a few places in Iowa where you can camp by the water:
5. Prairie Flower Campground at Saylorville Lake
- Location: Polk City, IA
- Popularity: This is a quiet campground so you may be able to get a last-minute spot.
- Park Info: There are plenty of campsites here and plenty of room between each one.
- Price per night: $20-$48/standard electric site.
Prairie Flower Campground at Saylorville Lake is a quiet and peaceful place to spend the night. At most sites, you'll have a concrete pad to set up your tent. And the lake is right there for easy water access.
6. Mill Creek State Park
- Location: Paullina, IA
- Popularity: This is a quiet and peaceful park without too many visitors.
- Park Info: Mill Creek State Park is a small, underrated Iowa state park. The campground is open between April 15 and October 31.
- Price per night: $25/night
At Mill Creek State Park there are 48 campsites with 20/30/50 AMP hook-ups as well as water, cable, and internet connections. Additionally, there are two modern cabins and two primitive cabins, a lodge, a concession stand, and recreational opportunities that include hiking, biking, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and birdwatching. You'll love being by the water at this lovely campground.
7. Lake Macbride State Park
- Location: Solon, IA
- Popularity: This is among the most popular state parks in Iowa for both recreation and camping.
- Park Info: The is Iowa's largest state park and it features a large man-made lake and plenty of hiking trails.
- Price per night: $6/standard non-electric sites; $12/standard electric; $18/standard full hook-up; $25/shelter and youth group.
Lake Macbride State Park offers some of the best camping in Iowa. There are two campgrounds, one modern and one non-modern, and each one has a playground. Depending on the campsite you reserve, you'll have lake views and easy access to fishing and boating.
Top Glamping in Iowa
If you’re like me, you prefer a bit more luxury on a getaway. This is where glamping comes in. Instead of a tent, a cabin, a yurt, or some other form of enclosed accommodation can be quite a luxury! Here are some of the best places for yurt glamping in Iowa:
8. Sunset Hills Bison Ranch
- Location: Malcom, IA
- Popularity: Located in a rural area and with two wagons available, it's quiet here. However, advance reservations are encouraged.
- Park Info: This rural bison ranch offers glamping on its property.
- Price per night: $195
Have you ever wanted to stay in a Conestoga wagon? Well, you can at Sunset Hills Bison Ranch! Featuring two covered wagon accommodations, you'll have a glamping experience like no other. One wagon has a king-sized bed while the other has a large bed and a set of twin bunkbeds, perfect for families of four. Each wagon has access to a private bathroom and shower house as well as a coffee station, fridge, microwave, and more!
8. Kennedy Memorial Park
- Location: Fort Dodge, IA
- Popularity: A moderately popular state park with both camping and glamping available.
- Park Info: This Iowa park's camping season starts on April 15 each year and ends on October 15. There is a campground and yurts available.
- Price per night: $125/night with a minimum of 2 nights for yurts.
For yurt glamping, there's no better place than Kennedy Memorial Park. There are two yurts available to book and you must book a minimum of two nights. Each of these glamping accommodations is furnished and overlooks Badger Lake.
10. Dog Creek Park
- Location: Sutherland, IA
- Popularity: The campground at this park is fairly quiet.
- Park Info: Dog Creek Park offers 29 campsites, two camping cabins that can accommodate up to six guests, and two grain bin cabins that can accommodate up to 12 guests each. The camping season runs between April 15 and October 31.
- Price per night: $20/campsite; $45/cabin; $150/grain bin
Dog Creek Park is where you'll find one of the most unique glamping accommodations in Iowa. With two grain bin cabins that can sleep 12, you can get your family or friends together for an exciting overnight adventure. Each grain bin is two floors and has a full kitchen, six queen-sized beds, a living room, and a private bathroom. A spiral staircase connects the two levels. Outside you'll find a covered picnic area to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors at this park.
Best RV Camping Sites in Iowa
Camping in an RV is like glamping on wheels. Whether you have your own RV or rent one from a site like RVshare.com, there are plenty of campgrounds with hookups that can accommodate RVs.
- Location: Amana, IA
- Popularity: This is a large and popular campground with numerous amenities.
- Park Info: Amana RV Park has 450 sites across its 80 acres.
- Price: Nightly: $20/tent; $41/water and electric; $43/full hook-up. Weekly: $246/water and electric; $258/full hook-up. Monthly: $650/full hook-up.
Amana RV Park & Event Center offers both tent and RV sites. Each tent site is 15x30 feet while each RV site is 30x75 feet. Among the amenities at this RV park include Wi-Fi, picnic tables, accessible restrooms with showers, a laundromat, fire rings, and more. You'll love this camping resort!
- Location: Center Point, IA
- Popularity: This is a moderately popular campground.
- Park Info: This campground offers large, quiet sites and family-friendly fun.
- Price per night: $41.33-$43.33 for RV sites; $63.67/cabin; $27.67/tent site.
Beyonder Getaway at Lazy Acres is an RV park that has it all in terms of family-friendly fun. There are paddle boats, frisbee golf, a playground, a fishing pond, a community fire pit, a fishing pond, basketball, horseshoes, miniature golf, kids' activities, and so much more. I bet you'll want to stay here!
- Location: Waterloo, IA
- Popularity: This is a very popular campground with several options for an overnight stay and countless amenities.
- Park Info: As with most KOA campgrounds, you can expect plenty of family-friendly amenities and activities here.
- Price per night: Check the website for current rates.
For some of the best camping in Iowa, the Waterloo / Lost Island KOA Resort can't be beat. Not only are there countless on-site amenities for a wonderful camping experience but several ways to camp including by RV. RV sites can accommodate a trailer up to 100 feet and guests can enjoy everything from a lake with fishing and a swimming beach to a store, bike rentals, disc golf, and more.
Best Primitive Tent Camping in Iowa
To truly get away from it all and connect with nature, primitive tent camping is where it’s at! Whether you have to hike into the woods to find a place to set up for the night or don’t mind a campground without amenities, here are the best primitive camping spots in Iowa:
14. Ferry Landing Recreation Area
- Location: Oakville, IA
- Popularity: This is a remote underrated park offering primitive camping.
- Park Info: Ferry Landing Recreation Area is located at the confluence of the Iowa and Mississippi Rivers.
Ferry Landing Recreation Area is a riverfront park offering views from your primitive campsite. In addition to camping, this park is a wonderful place to spot wildlife, do some birdwatching, and go for a picnic.
15. Yellow River State Forest
- Location: Harpers Ferry, IA
- Popularity: This is a peaceful park and it should be easy to find a campsite depending on the season.
- Park Info: Campsites here are first-come, first-served and campers must register with the forest headquarters before camping.
- Price per night: $6-$12/tent site and standard non-electric; $10-$16/equestrian site; $20/youth group.
Yellow River State Forest offers four campgrounds in its Paint Creek Unit: Little Paint Campground, Big Paint Campground, Creekside Equestrian Campground, and Frontier Equestrian Campground. Each campground offers primitive sites with vault toilets.
Where is your favorite place to go camping in the Hawkeye State? What do you think of this list of the best campgrounds in Iowa? Let us know! And don’t forget to check out our list of ultimate outdoor essentials before embarking on your next great adventure!
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More to Explore
Best Campgrounds In Iowa
What are the most popular state parks in Iowa?
Among the most popular state parks in Iowa are the following:
- Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor
- Backbone State Park in Dundee
- Rock Creek State Park in Kellogg
- Ledges State Park in Solon
- Palisade-Kepler State Park in Mt. Vernon
What time of year is best for camping in Iowa?
While you can go camping at certain campgrounds year-round, the best time of year for camping in Iowa is in the summer from June until August. However, the fall is also a wonderful time for camping. Not only will there be fewer insects and fewer people at the campgrounds, but the air will be cooler and you may have a chance to take in some stunning fall foliage.
Where can I find secluded campgrounds in Iowa?
Want to get away from the crowds and find some peace and quiet? Try one of the following secluded campgrounds in Iowa:
- Hidden River Campgrounds in Tipton
- Walnut Woods State Park Campground in West Des Moines
- Spook Cave & Campground in McGregor
- Waubonsie State Park Campground in Hamburg
- Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground in Lehigh