Are you planning a tent camping trip to Port Byron? We've got you covered. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Port Byron's most popular destinations.
Two historical attractions both have active friends groups. One is the "turn of the century" Melpine one-room schoolhouse, which is located in the park and offers visitors a glimpse of Iowa's past.
The other historical attraction is the Pine Creek Grist Mill, which was built in 1848. The mill was built by Benjamin Nye, one of Muscatine County's first settlers. He also built the county's first store and post office in 1838. The mill is one of the finest examples of mid-19th century mills left in the country and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The mill is being restored to its original condition. Great strides have been made at the mill and it is now grinding corn for the first time in more than 75 years.
Wildcat Den is a great place for a family to "get away from it all" for a weekend or a family vacation. Campsites can be reserved in the non-modern campground which has water and vault toilets. There are no showers and there is no electrical service to the campsites.
$6 - $9 / night
The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center is located along the Wapsipinicon River and consists of 225 acres of upland and bottomland forests, grasslands, and wetlands. The Wapsi Center, along with Sherman Park across the river, provide a 432-acre complex offering a wide variety of uses. The larger of the two campsites at the Center, Elm Campsite is offered to Scouts and to special event participants as a primitive camp site. The site offers flat ground for many tents, two fire pits, picnic tables, trash cans, and two sets of horseshoe pits. In return for Scout use, a service project is suggested and may be coordinated with the Center Director. Pack-in and pack-out ethics are observed at this site. Vincent Campsite is offered to Scouts and to special event participants as a primitive camp site offering a fire pit, picnic tables, and trash can. In return for Scout use, a service project is suggested and may be coordinated with the Center Director. Pack-in and pack-out ethics are observed at this site.
$17 - $80 / night
20 primitive campsites with shower building and water access
$14 - $32 / night
We are a seasonal campground open April 15 thru October 15. We have seasonal, monthly, weekly, and overnight rates. We have planned activities as well as many amenities. River frontage, canoe/ tube rental, mini golf, pool and so much more.
$35 - $50 / night
Campgrounds with multiple campsites along the canal can be found at Lock 21, North Day Use Area
Equestrian camping is restricted to the south side of the Lock 21 area. Equestrian campers are asked to bring a shovel to clear their own horse droppings, which may be pushed off to the side of the trail. There is no tethering to trees.
If you are not familiar with the canal it may be confusing trying to find the campsites. Stop by the Hennepin Canal Visitor Center to pick up a detailed map of the canal, which shows all of the country crossroads. You can also call the visitor center and ask to be mailed a copy: 815-454-2328. I
$8 / night
The Hennepin Canal State Park is not enrolled in the ReserveAmerica camping reservation system and DOES NOT take camping reservations. Camping at the Canal is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are no set check-in or check-out times. The Canal’s site security officer makes rounds to each campsite to collect camping fees, in-person. Campers can pay by cash or check.
Camping along the Hennepin Canal towpath is PROHIBITED – camping is only allowed in the designated campsites. Fires are only allowed in the state designated fire pits at the campgrounds. Camping is not permitted in the main complex area (the area around the visitor center).
Currently, the ONLY DRINKING WATER available on the ENTIRE canal is located at the main parking lot in front of the visitor center at the large shelter. There is also a faucet on the side of the visitor center, just to the left of the main entrance. There are no operable drinking water fountains along the rest of the canal so bring your own water for your hike or camping trip.
Legend
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.
Traveler
My wife and I tent camped here last weekend... the tent sites are relatively close together leaving little room to feel secluded but nice flat ground and each site has its own fire pit. restrooms and showers 1/8 mile walk away which isn’t bad! Not the best but also not the worst. We try and here whenever we rock climb in the area as it allows us to get to the climbing sites earlier.
Legend
Pine Grove campground has primitive tent sites open this time of year, the other portion, including RV spots are closed for the season. The tent sites are well shaded, gravel, parking area, tables, firings included. There is firewood at the campground, and cabins for rent at the end of the Lane. The park itself offers many trails, pride Lake for paddling and fishing. The campground itself offers, restrooms, showers, dump station, and a seasonal host.
Legend
Seasonal cg with RV and tent sites, cabins, clubhouse, pool, pavilion.
Legend
CG has both RV and tent sites, playgrounds, volleyball , restrooms, shelters, open spaces, and fishing/boating/paddling along Mississippi River.
LegendPrimitive tent sites include: tables, fire rings, parking, water and firewood nearby, shelter for rent, seasonal host, visitor parking, 2 modern cabins adjacent.
Guide
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.
Legend
CG has RV/tent sites including water, restrooms, dump station, wood, playground, outdoor amphitheater, hosts, fishing/baiting/paddling access to Mississippi River. Great River bike trail too.
Traveler
Nice long trail, friendly people, and a cute little ice cream shop that was a lifesaver after a long hike. Beautiful scenery, firewood available for $6 a bundle, water, electricity and fairly clean bathrooms with showers. We tent camped for $20 a night.
Scout
A little pricy for tent camping. Ten dollars per tent per night and you’re restricted to the primitive area. It’s not bad if you’re just wanting to get away for a little bit but stay close to town. Otherwise if you’re looking for a better get away from it all I’d recommend some place else.
GuideLarge RV site with electrical and water hook-up at each spot. Office is open Mon-Sat til 8 pm. They sell firewood. You are right on the Mississippi and that ain’t nothing to sneeze at. Tent camping also allowed. You are near the train tracks but the noise is barely discernible.
Traveler
Very well organized, friendly host, green and easy to access off the highway even though we got in after dark. We were able to register our campsite the following morning since we got in late. We’re tent camping and thrilled with the clean hot showers. Just had a bit of road noise.
Legend
Primitive tent site, fire ring/grill, cheap stay. has small camp store and newer nature center, canoe/kayak rentals, shower house, wood for fee. Can be very buggy depending on season, right along backwaters, good fishing, wildlife viewing. Has a pontoon for tours.
ScoutSo many great views! Tons of short, fun hikes to try out. Some sites are close together in open fields, but most are spread out and nice! Our site, 42, was a great tent site near the entrance but away from heavy traffic. Spacious and only one close neighbor. Will definitely be back!
TravelerI got a primitive tent site in an area all to myself, with a shower house just down the road, in a beautiful and quiet campground for $10 cash. You really can’t beat that. Campground is separate from the park so you don’t have to pay a park entrance fee to stay here.
Legend
CG open all year, offers standard sites including electric, water, septic, fire rings, tables. Firewood, ice, recycling, showers/RR, host available. Sites have shade and Tent sites available. Park offers 4 lakes for fishing, paddling, and a seasonal beach for swimming with concessions. Park has hiking trails, world-class disc golf course, playgrounds, picnicking, shelter rentals.
Scout
Stayed there recently for Memorial Day weekend. The site we had was fairly steep as far as tent sites go. The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem. It was rainy so we didn't get to enjoy the trails but we were told they were decent.
Guide
This campground is located just north of Kewanee, Illinois. It has a lake with seasonal canoe, kayak and paddle boat rentals and a cafe. The trails are fairly short but can be combined to include 8 miles of trail. The campground is not terribly big but has a shower house in addition to some pit toilets. One large section of the campground is walk up non-electric sites in a grove of pine trees. It’s lovely! Perfect for hammocks. Shady but open enough to get a breeze. There are electric sites as well but, since I tent camp, I’m. It familiar with those. No issues with noise either. As a matter of fact, I camped over a perfect July weekend and the campground host wasn’t even there all weekend and there were no issues.
Legend
This cg has both primitive tent and full service sites though much of cg has apparent permanent campers. The office offers ice, bait, firewood, propane and more. Tent site area is dispersed depending whether you prefer shade and fire ring. These are open sites along the Mississippi River. Camp has a boat ramp and boat slips so fishing, paddling, and boating are options. There is a very nice bike/walk path all ng Highway 84 traveling up/down Great River Road. There is also train tracks along same path.
TravelerTrain tracks are right next to the sites. It would wake us up in the middle of night and honk its horn right next to us. We had a tent site right next the bathroom, plenty of shade for those back end sites. The showers had a push button so it was hard to get the right water pressure and temperature. Host was very nice and attentive, she warned us about severe weather coming our way. Small spaces but neighbors were also nice.
Scout
Great little campground with nice staff/owners. The tent sites are nicely tucked away from the RVs, with a row of bushes to separate you from your neighbor. Nice shade. I didn't check out the Porta potty set up for the tenters but hiked up to the building instead. Very clean! I wouldn't mind coming back to enjoy the activities in the area along the Hennepin canal but we had a family wedding to attend in Michigan the next day.
LegendThere are 241 Class A and B sites at the Mississippi Palisades. Electrical hookups are available at 110 sites. Showers and flush toilets are situated in three buildings and are in operation from May 1 until Oct 31. You can pick up supplies at a camp convenience store, open during the summer. The campground also features water and two sanitary dump stations. Only campers with permits are allowed in the campground, with admittance prohibited from 10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Reservations are no longer being taken for the Class A and B sites at Mississippi Palisades.
The camping fees are different for motor homes and tents, depending on your needs. Fees for tent camping are $6-$8 per day.
Scout
My family and I have been visiting this particular campsite for at least six or seven years. We keep coming back,because it is super clean. We’ve done tent, camping and camping in a pop-up at this particular place and my kids actually prefer the tents because you can get some sites that are closer to the water but honestly any of it is decent there. I wouldn’t say there’s one bad site and the facilities are very good. You have regular outhouse toilets near each grouping of campsites, and they need there is a shower house which is actually impeccably clean for what it is and I’ve never had an issue using it . We have absolutely gorgeous views of the Mississippi river from certain campsites my kids feel comfortable walking riding their bikes around the whole campsite and there’s some nice hikes to take around the area to.
Guide
Mostly RV/Campers. We tent camped (1 adult & 4 kids). Odd spot for a tent with a cement slab. Pretty serene and clean park, until about 7am when landscapers show up with lawn mowers etc. each morning. Lots of space between spots and it feel more private than some spots we’ve stayed in. Fire pits with grates at each site. Bathrooms with flushing toilets, floors were a bit flooded and showers are a bit rusty, but warm! Small playground with sand that the younger kids enjoyed. Fire wood is available near the bathrooms with a donation box. Best part of this campsite was the walking distance from Maquoketa Caves State Park site with beautiful hiking trails easy to explore. If you want to go in caves, bring headlamps/flashlights and prepare to have wet shoes. Also only 30-45mins from downtown Dubuque, Iowa.
Legend
Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night). We pulled in late to stay the night. It had full hook ups with a fire ring and picnic table. The spot was good sized and clean. There is an office/ gift shop and a convent store within walking distance. There is 2 cute little cabins which run $49 a night. There is a pool(closed for season), and a playground for kids. I was surprised that the interstate noise was much quieter than I thought it would be. All and all it was a pleasant place to stop over.
ScoutJust off I-80 this was a clean, large, level, grassy tents sites. Gas station right next door. Owner was very friendly and helpful. No reservation needed. We came in after hours and owner greeted us and made sure we got settled. Would definitely stay here again.
GuideWell, we were definitely the only tent in an otherwise completely rv/camp trailer section of the park. Sites are level and small, but completely sand and gravel -- so was a bit tricky getting our pegs in. There is really no privacy here and you can see all your neighbors, and be seen by them. That being said, everyone was respectful of quiet hours and very friendly. Also our site had FULL sun, so def something to plan for. A lot of others had more midday tree coverage it seemed. Did not look at the walk-in tent sites as they were all booked, but I imagine being down in the trees would afford more seclusion.
No Tmobile service for the most part, but that was fine for me. The main draw here were the caves and trails and they absolutely exceeded expectations! Even my little chihuahua seemed to enjoy her first spelunking experience.
Tent camping near Port Byron, Illinois offers a variety of scenic spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With options ranging from peaceful lakeside retreats to wooded hideaways, there's something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Port Byron, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Port Byron, IL is Wildcat Den State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Port Byron, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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