Eagle City County Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Down a few miles of maintained gravel road, Eagle City County Park sits along the Iowa River in two distinct sections: a lower paddlers camp at the water's edge and an upper area with more secluded sites tucked into the surrounding woods. Both levels are free to access, dispersed in layout, and consistently low on crowds. Kayakers and anglers use the lower section regularly, and the river provides a focal point for most campers who stay here.

The atmosphere skews quiet. Reviewers frequently note arriving to find themselves the only campers on the grounds, a pattern that holds across summer weekends and into fall. Chantal C. describes the park as feeling "cut off," which captures what draws repeat visitors back. Bugs are present and the grounds are not treated, so insect repellent is worth packing. The mowed grass and fire rings are maintained, though no trash containers are provided, and firepits sometimes hold debris left by previous campers.

Water access comes from a hand pump well on site, though at least one recent visitor found it out of service. The lower campground has a vault toilet, though its maintenance has been inconsistent across reviews. No firewood is sold here. A short walk into the adjacent woods typically turns up enough material for a campfire. Cell service is listed as available. Sites can accommodate vans and small trailers, though longer rigs would find the dispersed layout limiting.

A fee of $10 per night has been introduced in recent years, paid via QR code at the entrance. The gates close for winter and often stay shut into late spring, so the camping season effectively runs from late spring through fall. Roads are not plowed. Campers passing through the region can also consider Cross Ford River Access to the west, or browse campgrounds near Steamboat Rock for additional options in the area.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsEagle City County Park is located in Iowa near Steamboat Rock

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

42.47200042 N
93.146 W

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Connectivity

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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Eagle City County Park needs a permit.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews11 Camper Reviews - Eagle City County Park

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5 Stars

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1 Star

46%
36%
9%
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0%

4.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Many visitors appreciated the quiet riverside setting with well-maintained grounds and basic amenities at great value. Some noted concerns about vault toilet conditions and occasional payment system issues.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Sep. 12, 2025

Could be lovely but creeped me out

Liked the spot by the lake and we could have been the only ones there but we noticed a few things on the way to the site that was unsettling and then we were followed in by a truck that just went to the end of the loop then left, with the driver and passenger obviously not wanting to be seen. Weirded me out so we left. Felt unsafe.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2024

Good for an overnight stop

First, there is no pit toilet. Second, you need to pay ($10) via a website. Scan the QR code by the entrance. I couldn't get it to work.

Sites are fine. A couple of options for hammock camping. Nothing special.

We stopped driving cross country.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Jason K., August 26, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2024

Fee required now

Note that they do now require a permit to stay here. Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site. Great camping area, pit toilet, regularly mowed, great riverside view, level spots for tent and vehicle camping with fire rings.

Siten/a
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Brian , August 7, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 10, 2023

Amazing spot

Couldn’t have asked for more, 5-6 nice spots right on a river, picnic table and fire pits and the grounds are well kept. It was also easy to find and access even with a low clearance car.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Caleb S., June 10, 2023
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Caleb S., June 10, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 4, 2023

Great stay

Great camping spot! We’ll maintain camp sites. I was the only one on grounds. Water well isn’t working though, only downside. Will definitely come again

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Austin A., June 4, 2023
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Austin A., June 4, 2023
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Austin A., June 4, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 8, 2022

Our Favorite Little Spot

Wow! This campground surprised us! Not only is it directly on a river with wildflowers, it has a pit toilet and hand pump water. There was only one other group while we were there. Such a sweet place that we will be back to every time we pass through that area. Definite recommend.

SiteN/A
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Megan C., September 8, 2022
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Megan C., September 8, 2022
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Megan C., September 8, 2022
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2022

Nice secluded spot

I needed a place to stay between Wisconsin and Colorado and this place fit the bill. I had the entire campground to myself the night I stayed here. It has well maintained grounds and is right on the water. The spots aren’t super clear, but for a free spot with picnic tables and fire pits, it’s definitely 5/5. I wish more municipalities had these types of campgrounds! You could easily park a van here, and probably a small trailer but nothing all that long.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2021

Great spot!

Had a nice time here on the first night of a long road trip, no one else was around except some coon hunter came and went a couple times which was a little spooky until I figured out what was going on, would definitely return!

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Sep. 22, 2021

Perfect Primitive Camping

We go to Eagle City a least once a year to just get away from it all, it's close to home but feels cut off which is what I look for when camping. We have only camped on the lower side to facilitate fishing the river, but we walk up to, and through the upper side every time also. We love how quiet it is, we are quite often the only ones down there. Kayakers frequent the river access on the lower side as well as some equestrian use for river access. Hand pump for water. Grounds are well maintained but not bug treated, so be prepared. We have camped with an RV when its cooler and doesn't need an A/C but we love to tent camp out there. We've gone at all different times from Memorial day through Labor day. My boyfriend has gone later in the year though also.

Sitelower campground
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Chantal C., September 22, 2021
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Chantal C., September 22, 2021
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Chantal C., September 22, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2021

Secluded campground near the Iowa River

Eagle City Park has two parts - a lower campground that is a paddlers camp on the Iowa River, and an upper campground with a few secluded campsites.

All campsites are free, and there are many to choose from. I have camped in both the upper and lower campgrounds, in summer and fall. I tend to prefer off-season when I am (often) the only camper in either campground. Summer will have more campers, ranging from tents to small RVs, but there are plenty of campsites so it is never full.

There is nowhere to buy firewood, but a short hike in the woods usually produces a small supply for a campfire.

Negatives:

As there are no trash containers, it is not uncommon to find the firepits full of burned or unburned trash.

There is a very poorly kept vault toilet in the lower campground. I do not believe that it is ever pumped out. The upper campground has no toilet. I always bring my own stool "just-in-case" but otherwise just take care of business after I take the 20 minute drive to get home.

The gates are closed all winter, often into late spring. The roads are not plowed in either campsite. It is a nice place to hike in winter time, but there is no camping.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Eagle City County Park by Kerry M., August 8, 2021
Reviewed May. 21, 2020

Quiet camping in the middle of nowhere.

This park is located on 172 acres of land. It has an enclosed picnic shelter, hand pump well, vault rest rooms, primitive camping, and 2 swing sets. The park was named after the town of Eagle City platted in 1878 and at one time contained a general store, post office, grist mill, saw mill, blacksmith’s shop and doctor’s office.  This area has been used for primitive camping with an upper and lower level. The Iowa River runs next to this campground. The campground is down a couple miles of maintained gravel Rd.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Eagle City Park located and how do I get there?

Eagle City Park is located in Iowa along the Iowa River. The park was named after the historic town of Eagle City, which was platted in 1878. The campground is easily accessible by car, including vehicles with low clearance. While specific driving directions aren't detailed, visitors report the location is straightforward to find using standard navigation tools. The park's setting provides a sense of seclusion despite being relatively accessible, making it a convenient stopping point for travelers crossing through Iowa.

What camping facilities are available at Eagle City Park?

Eagle City Park offers primitive camping with several amenities spread across its 172 acres. The park features both upper and lower campgrounds, with the lower area situated along the Iowa River providing riverside campsites. Facilities include fire pits, picnic tables, vault toilets, and a hand pump well for water (though note the pump may occasionally be non-operational). The park also has an enclosed picnic shelter and playground with swing sets. Campsites are generally well-maintained with level spots suitable for both tent and vehicle camping. The grounds are regularly mowed and offer some secluded options, particularly in the upper campground area.

Is Eagle City Park a county-managed campground and are reservations required?

Yes, Eagle City Park is a county-managed campground. Reservations are not required as sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground now requires a permit to stay, which costs $10. You can pay up to 30 minutes after claiming your site, typically through a website accessible via a QR code near the entrance. For current permit requirements and payment methods, it's advisable to check with the county parks department before your visit.