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Best Tent Camping near Scales Mound, IL

463 Reviews

The rolling hills and wooded valleys surrounding Scales Mound, Illinois provide several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius. Tent campers seeking primitive experiences can explore Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area in Iowa, which offers hike-in and walk-in tent sites along the Maquoketa River. For established tent campgrounds, New Glarus Woods State Park in Wisconsin (about 25 miles northeast) features both drive-in and walk-in tent sites set among wooded terrain. Governor Dodge State Park, located approximately 30 miles northwest in Wisconsin, provides backpack campsites that require a half-mile to one-mile hike from parking areas, offering more seclusion for tent camping enthusiasts.

Most tent campsites in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Walk-in sites at New Glarus Woods include fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets centrally located along access trails. Buzzard Ridge provides more primitive tent camping with a fire ring, table, and latrine, but requires visitors to pack in their own water. Blackhawk Memorial Park near Argyle, Wisconsin offers first-come, first-served tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits at economical rates ($5 weeknights, $10 weekends). Surface conditions vary considerably, with some sites featuring level, graded areas while others present more natural, uneven terrain that requires careful tent placement.

Tent-only sites typically provide more seclusion than mixed-use campgrounds. According to reviews, the walk-in tent sites at New Glarus Woods are "spaced out well and heavily wooded," though highway noise can be noticeable, particularly on weekdays. One camper noted that Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area offers a "unique hike or paddle primitive site" with "native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area." Governor Dodge State Park's backcountry tent sites receive consistently high ratings, with visitors appreciating the "great views, plenty of privacy and easy hike" to reach them. For tent campers seeking true solitude, Lock and Dam 13 near Fulton, Illinois requires approximately a mile walk from parking, but rewards with peaceful riverside tent camping and fishing opportunities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Scales Mound, Illinois (12)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Scales Mound, IL

7 Photos of 12 Scales Mound Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Scales Mound, IL

463 Reviews of 12 Scales Mound Campgrounds

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 16, 2022

    Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area

    Unique County wildlife site along Maquoketa River

    Unique hike or paddle primitive site. Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river. Site is along river, has table, fire ring, latrine. Pack in, pack out and Leave No Trace.

  • Alex H.
    Sep. 26, 2022

    Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    No Flat Spots

    Very nice park. Well marked and maintained trails. A large lake with boat launch and beach area. Separate pet area.

    We spent the weekend at site 101, which is a tent site. I wouldn't recommend this site. based on a quick walkaround, it seemed a bit smaller than other sites. That's not really a deal-breaker, but it didn't really have any flat spots to pitch the tent. We ended up pitching it up on the parking area, but it was still a bit slanted and we could feel the tire divot a little through the air mattresses. Aside from that, it was great. The site had a picnic table and fire ring that we used a lot. It was secluded from the surrounding sites.

    We hiked the Windy Ridge trail and the Prairie Loop trail. both were well maintained and enjoyable trails. We also spent some time on the beach.

  • Sarah B.
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Yellowstone Lake State Park Campground

    Def do not recommend for summer 2024!

    I wanted so badly to love this campground experience, but just didn't. Site 19 was an easy walk-in that theoretically had nearby vault toilets, parking, and water.

    Each site only had space for one car to park before walking in. Not a huge deal, but annoying as there were 2 of us who drove separate and we had to problem solve. When we got to the site I was shocked to see that what was labeled as a tent site had literally NO flat space to actually set up a tent. Spacious site, but fully sloped.

    Also, what I would have loved to know, is that the vault toilets are closed because they are doing construction to build something new in that space. Construction that starts loudly each day at 7am. Honestly every site from about #35 down was affected by the noise because the construction is happening in the middle of the loop (and actually blocking some of the one-way road as well).

    The park in general was okay. Per the usual, the pet areas were lacking. No beach at all, just grass covered in goose poop and one cut out on the raised shore between tall grasses and foliage where a dog could potentially jump in. Certainly nowhere for a human to enjoy the water with their pups unfortunately.

  • Cristina S.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Blue Mound State Park Campground

    Clean and Modern

    Campsites, trails and facilities were immaculate. Staff was friendly. drive in and hike in sites available. great for families; trails have info markers to educate hikers on geology and flora of area. Drive in campsites had fire rings and picnic tables, vault toilets available.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 30, 2025

    New Wine Park Dubuque County Park

    Nice small county park campground

    General: This is a small (29-site) county park campground situated along the North Fork Maquoketa River. Nine of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served. Some sites are primitive, and some have water and 30-amp electricity hookups. There is one ADA-accessible site with a paved camper pad. 

    Site Quality: Most sites are level. The camper pads are gravel/grass, but not all are clearly defined. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. 

    Bath/Shower: The bath/shower house was closed when we were there in November but there are vault toilets about a quarter mile from the campground (in the day-use area) that were very clean and well-stocked when we were there. 

    Activities/Amenities: Many activities including disc golf, three hiking trails, volleyball, two playgrounds (one in the day-use area and one by the campsites). There are two reservable picnic shelters. There is also a dump station. 

    We were tent camping in November on a backpacking trip so we didn’t take advantage of any of the activities but would return in our van on a future camping trip. We were the ONLY ones in the campground at this time of year!

  • Amy W.
    Apr. 2, 2022

    Morrison-Rockwood State Park

    Family friendly; great first timers

    first timers/ young kids- yes. Primitive campers- no. My husband had never been camping. I grew up with very primitive camping- no electricity, only pit toilets, sometimes fresh water, and no showers (milk jug showers!) Little by little, I’m warming him up to camping. This is a great place for new campers, families of young kids, or just looking for an easier trip. There’s a shower house with flush toilets, warm showers, and surprisingly CLEAN! The site was medium size. Enough room to spread out. Ground was flat so finding a tent site was no problem. Electric hookup worked. Picnic table was good. Check your site before booking! One section of sites is like an open field? No trees and full view of others. But these surround a playground- also very nice. Glamping with young kids? These sites would be a perfect. AT&T and Verizon cell service worked fine

  • Josh F.
    Sep. 21, 2020

    Blue Mound State Park Campground

    Close to Madison, near Military Ridge Trail, Some sites are Far, Far Away

    I spent two nights in the campground at Blue Mound State Park. Overall, the park has well-maintained hiking and MTB biking trails, extraordinarily clean and well-kept vault toilets, and ample access to drinking water. Both tent and RV/camper sites are on a typical one-way road pattern with a couple of loops there are plenty of sites with and without electricity. At the time I was there, the camp host sold high-quality hard wood for $5/bundle from a trailer on the honor system, so if you run out in the middle of the night, wood was easy to replenish. One of the park's highlights are lookout towers with views above the treetops, Unfortunately in 2020 both were closed, presumably because it would be difficult to keep a safe distance from others when on the stairs or while at the top. Pity, it'll be a reason to return. Still, there are several observation areas that are maintained well enough to keep the undergrowth from blocking the view of the Wisconsin River Valley nearly 15 miles to the north. This is where the "Blue Mound" name must come from, the hills at that distance did have a bluish cast to them.

    If you've read any of my other reviews you know what's next, my list of the best campsites. While I've visited several parks now that have "walk in" sites, with cars parked a minute or two from the campsite, about a dozen sites in Blue Mound State Park take "walk in" to a new level. Cars can drive to a barrier across the road, and the sites are a 10-15 minute walk downhill, The park provides ONE medium-sized cart (250 lb weight limit, 20-minute use limit) that I guess would be in high demand during load in and load out. (NOTE TO SELF, camp Thursday through Monday if going here, or arrive EARLY to get a cart). Most of these sites are quite sunny; 105 is nice and shady and private, 106 slightly shaded 109 and 110 are shaded, very close to one another and would be good for a group camp setup 111 is quite shady. There's water and toilets in the walk-in camp ground. You'd want to sip wood for campfires and cooking, the nearest source is a 15-minute walk uphill and back, and then if using the cart, you have to return it for another round trip.

    Back in the family campground where mortals and RVs park, I think the following are the nicest in terms of shade, level, size and privacy.

    42, 45, 47, 51, 64, 66, 69, 71, 73

  • D
    Jun. 11, 2022

    Mud Lake County Park

    Beautiful park on Miss River. Great value

    Mud Lake is a wonderful county park near Dubuque. Beautiful views of the Mississippi River. We stayed one night on our way to Minnesota. The sites are mostly sunny. The park streets are gravel with gravel sites. The park is quiet except for the occasional train from the nearby tracks. Great value for $21. Electric and water hookups. Marina and boathouse next door.

    Stayed in campsite #35 which has no shade. It was a gravel site which shares a pull-through with site 36. There was more than enough parking for my TT and truck and grass on either side. The site included: picnic table and fire ring. Utilities were located in the rear. 20A/50A electric and water. Site was level. Neighbors were nearby.

    AT&T had 2 bars of LTE and Verizon 2 bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 47 Mbps down, 1.3 Mbps up. Verizon data VERY SLOW. No WiFi.

    Would stay here again. We camped at Mud Lake Park in a Travel Trailer.

  • John W.
    Jul. 4, 2020

    Apple River Canyon

    Great first camping experience

    We tent camped at site 37. This site has a nice mix of shade and sun and the back had a water faucet. There is a trail that works it’s way through the back of the sites. The sites are a bit close together and separation is sometimes sparse. Restrooms are pits and well maintained stocked with TP. No showers on site. One loop of the tent sites are able to be reserved and the other loop is first come, first served. There are short trails with some steep climbs, not wide paths so bring bug spray and tick tools! The river that cuts through is small but picturesque. Picnic areas are plentiful near the water. Caught two tiny bass and a trout. No firewood on site, but multiple homes on the drive in had $5 self serve bundles for sale. This site is a dark skies site, so if it’s not overcast or full moon there is some good stargazing. AT&T cell service is mostly nonexistent in camp, but kicks in as you head out, so plan your research ahead of time. Attached are some shots of some sites from the road

Guide to Scales Mound

Tent camping near Scales Mound, Illinois, offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from serene parks to lively campgrounds, there's something for every tent camper.

Tent campers should check out local activities

Tent camping amenities to enjoy

Features that enhance the camping experience

  • Campers at Blackhawk Memorial Park can enjoy a peaceful, off-the-grid experience with picnic tables and boat-in access.
  • Joinerville County Park offers a primitive camping experience along the Maquoketa River, perfect for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.
  • Goatland features a unique farm atmosphere with friendly animals, making it a fun spot for families looking to connect with nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Scales Mound, IL?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Scales Mound, IL is Blackhawk Memorial Park with a 3.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Scales Mound, IL?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Scales Mound, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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