Best Camping near Riverside, IA

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Riverside, IA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Riverside. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Riverside. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Riverside, IA (105)

    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Bottom Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Bottom Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Bottom Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Bottom Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Bottom Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Bottom Campground

    1. Sugar Bottom Campground

    23 Reviews
    64 Photos
    86 Saves

    Overview

    The Sugar Bottom Campground is located on the shores of Coralville Lake. The Coralville Lake Project is a multipule use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, lake and river fishing, swimming, water activities, picnicking, and hunting.

    Recreation

    Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities in Sugar Bottom. Several trails are within Sugar Bottom, including the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail, and a barrier-free asphalt trail.The Sugar Bottom Disc Golf Course is located in the Sugar Bottom Day Use Area and offers 18 partially wooded and open holes. The Sugar Bottom Mountain Bike Trail is located in the Sugar Bottom Day Use Area and offers beginner to expert trails.

    Natural Features

    Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The Sugar Bottom Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the east side of the lake. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. Whitetail deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, song birds and other species roam the lands around the lake.

    Nearby Attractions

    The Devonian Fossil Gorge is 10 miles away, just below the Coralville Dam. It offers a unique opportunity to explore a 375-million-year-old sea floor and discover fossil remains of sea life that once inhabited this tropical marine environment. Twenty Discovery Points can be found throughout the site. Iowa City/Coralville offers the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Iowa campus, hospital and clinics, numerous restaurants and shops as well as Coral Ridge Mall. Cedar Rapids has wonderful cultural, historic and ethnic attractions such as The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and is the home of the Kernels Professional Baseball Club. West Branch boasts the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Presidential Library/Museum. At Amana Colonies visit seven quaint villages with outstanding restaurants, wineries, historic sites and specialty shops. Kalona is known as the ?????Quilt Capital of Iowa__????? and is home to an Old Order Amish and Mennonite Community.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $24 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Macbride Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Macbride Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Macbride Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Macbride Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Macbride Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Macbride Campground

    2. Lake Macbride Campground

    25 Reviews
    86 Photos
    83 Saves

    From the website: UPDATE 10/5/2020: The north and south campgrounds, and day-use lodge will remain closed the remainder of the recreation season due to the August 10 severe weather event. Visitors are discouraged from using trails at this time due to hazard trees, with exception of the North Shore Trail and Beach to Dam Trail. The remainder of the park is now open. This recreation area is part of Coralville Lake

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $9 - $19 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park

    3. F. W. Kent Park

    16 Reviews
    57 Photos
    102 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    $20 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from West Overlook Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from West Overlook Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from West Overlook Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from West Overlook Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from West Overlook Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from West Overlook Campground

    4. West Overlook Campground

    15 Reviews
    56 Photos
    45 Saves

    Overview

    The West Overlook Campground is located within the Dam Complex at the Coralville Lake Project. The Coralville Lake Project is a multiple use project providing primary benefits in flood control and low flow augmentation, and secondary benefits in recreation, fish and wildlife management and forest management. Coralville Lake provides many recreational opportunities, including boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, lake and river fishing, swimming, water skiing, picnicking and hunting.

    Recreation

    Visitors enjoy Coralville Lake for camping, boating, fishing, swimming and water activities. Anglers will find large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish. Several trails are within the Dam Complex, including Squire Point, Woodpecker Trail, Tailwater Riverwalk and barrier-free Veterans Trail.The Devonian Fossil Gorge is just below the dam, offering a unique opportunity to explore a 375-million-year old sea floor and discover fossil remains of sea life that once inhabited this tropical marine environment. Twenty discovery points can be found throughout the site along with a cell phone audio tour. The Turkey Creek Disc Golf Course is located in the Dam Complex and offers nine partially wooden and open holes.

    Natural Features

    Coralville Lake is located in the Iowa River Valley, just north of Iowa City. The West Overlook Campground lies among a heavily wooded forest of mixed hardwood species on the west side of the dam. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. Whitetail deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, song birds and other species roam the lands around the lake.

    Nearby Attractions

    Iowa City/Coralville offers the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Iowa campus, hospital and clinics, numerous restaurants and shops as well as Coral Ridge Mall. Cedar Rapids has wonderful cultural, historic and ethnic attractions such as The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and is the home of the Kernels Professional Baseball Club. West Branch boasts the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and Presidential Library/Museum. At Amana Colonies visit seven quaint villages with outstanding restaurants, wineries, historic sites and specialty shops. Kalona is known as the "Quilt Capital of Iowa" and is home to an Old Order Amish and Mennonite Community.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $22 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Little Bear Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Bear Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Bear Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Bear Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Bear Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Bear Campground

    5. Little Bear Campground

    8 Reviews
    24 Photos
    40 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $22 - $49 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
    Camper-submitted photo from BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
    Camper-submitted photo from BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
    Camper-submitted photo from BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
    Camper-submitted photo from BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
    Camper-submitted photo from BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    6. BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    7 Reviews
    12 Photos
    26 Saves

    Sleepy Hollow RV Park and Campground will offer you a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere. Fishing in the pond, swimming in the in-ground pool, making sand castles on the beach or exploring local festivals --these are just a few of the things that make camping at Sleepy Hollow RV Park and Campground such a fun experience. Join us for kid-focused themed activities most Saturday's during the peak season. With our nearby shopping malls, fun cities, lakes, and attractions like the Kalona Amish Community, Amana Colonies, Coralville Reservoir, Iowa City and the University of Iowa, you're going to love your stay in Eastern Iowa!

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $25 - $48 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Shady Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Shady Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Shady Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Shady Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Shady Creek
    Camper-submitted photo from Shady Creek

    7. Shady Creek

    16 Reviews
    41 Photos
    65 Saves

    Overview

    Shady Creek Campground is a 22-acre park where campers enjoy getaways on the banks of the Mississippi River. A nature trail, shore fishing and fantastic bird watching are offered at Shady Creek.

    Recreation

    The Mississippi River draws many anglers annually. The most popular fish species is the channel catfish; bluegill, walleye and northern pike are also found in the river. Picnicking and playing horseshoes is a popular activity in the park.

    Natural Features

    The park has spectacular views of the Mississippi River. Many trees throughout the campground provide great places to lounge in the shade. The Upper Mississippi River begins at the headwaters of Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows 1,250 miles to Cairo, Illinois where it joins the Ohio River.

    Nearby Attractions

    Wildcat Den State Park is just north of Shady Creek, offering hiking trails and the historic Pine Creek Grist Mill built in 1848. The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge is a 40-minute drive downstream. Trails and observation decks are open to the public. Hunting and fishing are allowed in many area of the refuge.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Hills Access Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hills Access Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hills Access Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hills Access Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Hills Access Campground

    8. Hills Access Campground

    3 Reviews
    5 Photos
    14 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    Camper-submitted photo from Amana RV Park & Event Center
    Camper-submitted photo from Amana RV Park & Event Center
    Camper-submitted photo from Amana RV Park & Event Center
    Camper-submitted photo from Amana RV Park & Event Center
    Camper-submitted photo from Amana RV Park & Event Center
    Camper-submitted photo from Amana RV Park & Event Center

    9. Amana RV Park & Event Center

    9 Reviews
    23 Photos
    12 Saves

    The Amana RV Park& Event Center is a quiet place for a scenic getaway or long term stay. Offering large, level sites, free wi-fi, laundry facilities, LP service and close proximity to shops and restaurants, the park is a great location for your visit to the Iowa City or Cedar Rapids area. Plenty of festivals and events close by all season to keep you entertained! Open April 1st to November 1st.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $25 - $42 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Marr Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Marr Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Marr Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Marr Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Marr Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Marr Park

    10. Marr Park

    4 Reviews
    7 Photos
    4 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
Showing results 1-10 of 105 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Riverside

Recent Reviews In Riverside

403 Reviews of 105 Riverside Campgrounds


  • Coty G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sturgeon Bay Park and Campground
    Oct. 14, 2024

    Sturgeon Bay Park and Campground

    We Camp here almost every weekend

    Great place to camp especially if you have a boat or like to fish the Mississippi river. 2 blocks from a restaurant/tavern. City of New Boston has several different community events throught the year as well.

  • Ken G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Lake Iowa County Park

    very nice and clean. Lots of sites but well spaced

    Not too far off the highway.  Very clean and quiet.  The campground is above the lake but a short trail will take you to the lake.  Couldn't see the lake from where we camped, but nice woody area behind our campsite.  Nice little visitor area.  Lots of trails to walk with the dog including a nice trail along the lake.

    Great place to spend one night.  If I had more time, I would have gone paddle boarding or fishing on the lake.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice County cabin near Wapsi River

    Cabin sleeps 6, has all amenities including firewood at no cost! Education center onsite with live animals, trails, open year round, Wapsipinicon River below bluff offers paddling, fishing. Menke Observatory offers sky programs.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bennett Park
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Bennett Park

    Nice small County CG with pond

    Campground is nice with a few newer amenities, including shower house and handicap campsite. Gravel pads at sites include tables, fire, pits, electric,. There’s a dump station, play area, shelters for rent, and a pond that you can actually swim and fish and paddling.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Updog RV & Camping
    Sep. 12, 2024

    Updog RV & Camping

    TERRIBLE

    Worst place I have stayed in my 6 years of traveling as an RN. Yes, they had shade.  Made cell service very hard to receive. ONLY other thing they has was geese and fishing.  No picnic table, no firepits. I had a 30amp space. With slide out on each side, and not superslides either, I had EXACTLY 1 foot left on each side of my slides. I could not put out my awning as it would hit the camper next to me. No zero space behind camper as it went to a steep slope from my spare wheel. If I walked behind camper, I had to hang on to spare wheel or fall down the slope. Barely enough room in from of camper to park pickup at an angle.  I have never seen anything like this place before.  And hope I never do.  Pictures you see of campground are SO VERY MUCH deceiving !!!!!. I rate it a one star only because it will not allow me to go any lower.

  • Fred S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Langwood Education Center
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Langwood Education Center

    Great place!

    Langwood Education Center looks like a great spot for a weekend camping trip, especially if you’re into outdoor education. If you’re planning to camp there with kids, it could be a fun way to blend learning and adventure. Plus, it’s close enough to larger cities, making it convenient for a quick getaway. I’ve been planning something similar but also juggling a lot of writing assignments lately. For those who need help with academic papers or essays while on the go, https://99papers.com/essay-writing/ has been a great resource. They’ve saved me a lot of time when I’ve had deadlines looming. Anyway, has anyone visited recently and can share tips on the best trails or activities for families?

  • .! E !.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rock Island-Quad Cities KOA
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Rock Island-Quad Cities KOA

    Perfect!

    Very nice, affordable and peaceful campsite. Stayed one night for tent camping, campsite was clean and accommodating with fire pit, picnic table, lights, Wi-Fi, and power plug. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Perfect camping site.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Sherman Co Park
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Sherman Co Park

    Scenic County park along Wapsipinicon River

    The campground offers to camp areas: one better suited for RVs, and the other area is better suited for primitive tent, camping. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, our recites include electric. There is a campground host, shower house, shelter and playground area there too. The tent sites are prone to flooding occasionally from the gun river. There is a boat ramp with access to the river for fishing and paddling.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Interstate RV Park
    Aug. 22, 2024

    Interstate RV Park

    Overnight stop along I-80

    Campground has gravel lanes, roads pads, appears to have annual residence, campground office, pool is clean, planes, farm, and fleet nearby for Supplies. Sites include tables, water, electric, though need updating.

  • Evan G.
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Aug. 22, 2024

    F. W. Kent Park

    The perfect weekend get away

    My dad and I tent cramped here in mid August. It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City.

  • Jim C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Bear Campground
    Aug. 18, 2024

    Little Bear Campground

    Great week of camping

    This was a great campground very clean all around, very nice pool..wish I could for a month. But they don't allow monthly stays

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Summit Cabin 2, West Lake Park
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Summit Cabin 2, West Lake Park

    Very, very clean, County, modern cabin, surrounded by Prairie overlooking lake

    This cabin has all modern conveniences with two sleeping rooms, full service, kitchen, living room, with sofa, sleeper, and fireplace, ADA bathroom and a covered porch overlooking the lake. There’s a gas grill, fire pit, picnic table for outdoor recreation. The park offers kayak rentals, paddle boat rentals, swimming beach in season, and concessions.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Summit Cabin 1
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Summit Cabin 1

    Very nice, clean County cabin overlooking lake

    This modern cabin offers to better bedrooms, full service, kitchen, living room, with sofa, sleeper, and fireplace, ADA bathroom, covered porch with chairs and view of the lake, fire pit, and picnic table outside. Park offers, kayak and paddleboard, rentals, concessions, and a swimming beach in season.

  • Evan G.
    Camper-submitted photo from F. W. Kent Park
    Aug. 12, 2024

    F. W. Kent Park

    The perfect Amana colonies campsite

    Amazing experience with lots of amenities and space to spread out.

    Easy to get to, very well maintained, electric hookups with 120 volt power outlets, lots of stuff to do, including: hiking, swimming, kayaking, easy to get to amenities and grocery stores. plenty of trails and overlooks with picnic benches. Fire pits With built in grill grates.

  • Kim F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Windmill Ridge Campground
    Aug. 10, 2024

    Windmill Ridge Campground

    Hidden little gem

    Clean, quiet and well set campsite for all camping styles. Set well off the main road, the gravel road is well maintained, graded well for easy driveable whee truck, rvs or trailers. Family and pet friendly, clean, well kept property, amenities on site,completive priced sites for camping and to gather together and enjoy life for a moment or two. Check it out, don't believe you will regret it. Peace fellow travelers.

  • Randall K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Iowa County Park
    Aug. 9, 2024

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Great spot for a great price

    Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen. $10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong?

    Only issue is that the spots are pretty close together. Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed. At 3am we decided we needed to move to an electric site because it was too much to have the windows open. I felt really bad for anyone in a tent. I coughed all the next day.

    The campground was not that busy so there is no way I would stay here on a busy holiday weekend due to the spots being too close. If a few people make a fire you better shut down all your windows. No sleeping in the cool, night air here.

    But this is an issue at other places too. Just never experienced anything on this level before. Esp considering no one in our section even had a fire going.

    I wish campgrounds would start banning these fires. But that’s a topic for a later date.

    Other than that it was a great spot.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)
    Jul. 26, 2024

    Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)

    Great location and amenities

    I loved this campground. There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through. Bathrooms are stationed without so it’s never a far walk and the shower house was really nice. You can hear the highway, but overall the campground was very quiet.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Wildcat Den State Park
    Jul. 10, 2024

    Wildcat Den State Park

    Lovely hidden space

    Found by hiking at the Wildcat Den State Park. Lovely little campside with 19 places, rustical without electricity, dump etc. But got one waterstation and toilets. Every space with picknicktable and fireplace, surrounded by trees. Places are gras. Sorry for my english, Camp from Germany :-)

  • Jim C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Updog RV & Camping
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Updog RV & Camping

    Great small park⁰

    Very nice park small but great the way I like them. The bath house looks like my bath room at home. Next time in Mount Pleasant will stop again.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Caylx Creek, Shepard Hut
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Caylx Creek, Shepard Hut

    Neat cabin tucked in woods

    New! Has everything you need to get away-kitchenette, queen bed, AC, trails, large lavender farm! Farm store offers foods, drinks, lavender harvesting.



Guide to Riverside

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!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular campground near Riverside, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Riverside, IA is Sugar Bottom Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 23 reviews.

  • What parks are near Riverside, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Riverside, IA that allow camping, notably Coralville Lake and Mississippi River - Pools 11-22.