Camping near Riverside, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the water, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do:
- Explore caves: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, you can hike through unique caves. One visitor said, "The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous."
- Enjoy the lake: Lake Macbride State Park Campground is perfect for swimming and fishing. A camper mentioned, "Beautiful lake. Will stay here again when come back to visit her."
- Go boating: Sugar Bottom Campground has a boat launch for easy access to Coralville Lake. One review noted, "Great access to the river!"
What campers like:
- Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "Clean bathrooms and multiple water wells spread out."
- Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots for tents and RVs. A reviewer at Scott County Park mentioned, "The sites themselves are HUGE and some of them would accommodate the largest camping rigs you could imagine."
- Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground hosts. At Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River, one guest said, "The hosts were absolutely the best! They walk through the camp each night checking sites."
What you should know:
- Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Sugar Bottom Campground, do not have showers. A camper noted, "NO showers, but there are toilets."
- Seasonal camping: Many campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Shady Creek operates from May 2 to October 26.
- Wildlife: Expect to see various animals, especially near the water. One visitor at F. W. Kent Park mentioned, "The park offers: lake fishing, paddling, swimming beach, trails."
Tips for camping with families:
- Look for activities: Choose campgrounds with playgrounds and trails. At Scott County Park, a reviewer said, "There are playgrounds for your kids to play in."
- Plan for meals: Bring food or check for nearby stores. One camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground appreciated the "store to buy things we forget to get."
- Stay safe: Keep an eye on kids near water. A visitor at Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River noted, "The bathrooms were quite clean."
Tips from RVers:
- Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Lake Macbride State Park Campground mentioned, "The biggest downside: hard to tell until you see your site if you have water pump close enough!"
- Book in advance: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. One camper at Sugar Bottom Campground said, "The CG wasn’t full during the week but filled up on the weekend while we were there."
- Bring leveling blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A visitor at Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River noted, "We did have to put blocks under the passenger-side tires."
Camping near Riverside, IA, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors!