No Iowan’s life is complete without camping trips. Some of the best memories of all are the ones that involve sitting around a smoky 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 camping spots in Iowa to check out as soon as you get the chance.
- Backbone State Park, Dundee
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 for the latest information on the status of the grounds.
Address: 1347 129th Street, Dundee, Iowa, 52038
- Ledges State Park, Boone
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 for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 1515 P Avenue, Madrid, Iowa, 50156
- Lake Red Rock Recreational Area, Marion County
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 Recreation.gov website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
- Saylorville Lake, near Des Moines
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 Recreation.gov website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
- Mill Creek State Park, O’Brien County
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Mill Creek Park offers 48 camp sites 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 check the Clark County Park District website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: IA-10, Paullina, Iowa, 51046
- Lake Macbride State Park, Solon
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 campground website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 3525 Highway 382 Northeast, Solon, Iowa, 52333
- Pikes Peak State Park, McGregor
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 website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 32264 Pikes Peak Road, McGregor, Iowa, 52157
- Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa
Tidwell Family/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 check the website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 9688 Caves Road, Maquoketa, Iowa, 52060
- Coralville Lake, near Coralville
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 Recreation.gov website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
- Stone State Park, Sioux City
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 website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 5001 Talbot Road, Sioux City, Iowa, 51103
So, what do you think? 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 that even locals don’t know exist.
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 for the latest information on the status of the grounds.
Address: 1347 129th Street, Dundee, Iowa, 52038
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 for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 1515 P Avenue, Madrid, Iowa, 50156
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 Recreation.gov website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
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 Recreation.gov website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Mill Creek Park offers 48 camp sites 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 check the Clark County Park District website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: IA-10, Paullina, Iowa, 51046
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 campground website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 3525 Highway 382 Northeast, Solon, Iowa, 52333
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 website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 32264 Pikes Peak Road, McGregor, Iowa, 52157
Tidwell Family/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 check the website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 9688 Caves Road, Maquoketa, Iowa, 52060
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 Recreation.gov website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
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 website for the latest information on the status of the grounds while you’re planning your trip.
Address: 5001 Talbot Road, Sioux City, Iowa, 51103
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Address: 1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038, USAAddress: 1515 P Ave, Madrid, IA 50156, USAAddress: Lake Red Rock, Iowa, USAAddress: Saylorville Lake, Iowa, USAAddress: IA-10, Paullina, IA, USAAddress: 3525 Hwy 382 NE, Solon, IA 52333, USAAddress: 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USAAddress: 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060, USAAddress: Coralville Lake, Iowa, USAAddress: 5001 Talbot Rd, Sioux City, IA 51103, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Amazing Camping Spots in Iowa April 19, 2021 Tori Jane 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 Backbone State Park, Lake Red Rock Recreational Area, and Saylorville Lake, but those aren’t anywhere near all of your choices. Need some more inspiration? Check out this list of some of the best campgrounds in the whole state. Are there many things to do outdoors in Iowa? Plenty! Like most places, you’ve definitely got the ability to hunt, fish, camp, and boat in Iowa, but there are some other relaxing outdoor activities that you can take on that beat the crowds. For example, 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, or 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.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Amazing Camping Spots in Iowa
April 19, 2021
Tori Jane
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 Backbone State Park, Lake Red Rock Recreational Area, and Saylorville Lake, but those aren’t anywhere near all of your choices. Need some more inspiration? Check out this list of some of the best campgrounds in the whole state. Are there many things to do outdoors in Iowa? Plenty! Like most places, you’ve definitely got the ability to hunt, fish, camp, and boat in Iowa, but there are some other relaxing outdoor activities that you can take on that beat the crowds. For example, 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, or 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.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
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 Backbone State Park, Lake Red Rock Recreational Area, and Saylorville Lake, but those aren’t anywhere near all of your choices. Need some more inspiration? Check out this list of some of the best campgrounds in the whole state.
Are there many things to do outdoors in Iowa?
Plenty! Like most places, you’ve definitely got the ability to hunt, fish, camp, and boat in Iowa, but there are some other relaxing outdoor activities that you can take on that beat the crowds. For example, 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, or 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.
