Top Tent Camping near Allerton, IA

If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Allerton, look no further. The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Allerton. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Allerton, Iowa's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Allerton, IA (12)

    Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

    2. Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

    10 Reviews
    13 Photos
    60 Saves

    Donated by Ferold and Dorothy Grant, this 150 acre park in northeast Warren County features a picnic shelter, a secluded pond, some wonderful woodland trails, and—new in 2018—10 primitive campsites! The picnic shelter is available for reservation by calling the WCCB office at (515) 961-6169. Grant Park has ten primitive campsites. There is a pit latrine in the campground. Water is not available. Reservations are not accepted. This campground is free of charge. Registration is required and is available at the campground entrance. Campers may stay in WCCB campgrounds for 14 days out of any 30 day period.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area

    3. Union Ridge Conservation Area

    3 Reviews
    10 Photos
    21 Saves

    Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Toilets
    • No image available
      • No image available

        5. Otter Creek Park

        2 Reviews
        12 Saves
        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Phone Service
        • Tents
        • Standard (Tent/RV)
        • Dispersed
        • No image available

          6. Lucas Primitive - Stephens Forest

          Be the first to review!
          5 Saves
          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Phone Service
          • Reservable
          • ADA Access
          • Tents
          • No image available

            7. Rathbun Marina

            Be the first to review!

            This recreation area is part of Rathbun Lake

            • Tents
            • No image available
              Camper-submitted photo from North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)

              9. North Overlook Picnic Shelter (Ia)

              Be the first to review!
              1 Photo
              2 Saves

              Overview

              North Overlook Picnic Shelter is located adjacent from North Overlook Campground on Lake Red Rock, Iowas largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.

              Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.

              Click here for a virtual tour of the area.

              Natural Features:

              Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lake shore at North Overlook, offering shade and scenic views.

              Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrates through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March, and white-tailed deer and river otters are commonly viewed along the shoreline.

              Recreation:

              Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline.

              Anglers will find crappie, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill.

              Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area,

              Facilities:

              North Overlook Picnic Shelter is a conventional open shelter that offers 20 amp electrical service, an outdoor grill, fire ring, water fountain and nearby flush toilets.

              Nearby Attractions:

              Des Moines, Iowas capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.

              • Pets
              • Fires
              • Electric Hookups
              • Reservable
              • ADA Access
              • Tents
              Camper-submitted photo from South Overlook (Ia)
              Camper-submitted photo from South Overlook (Ia)

              10. South Overlook (Ia)

              Be the first to review!
              2 Photos
              1 Save

              Overview

              South Overlook is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowas largest lake. It is just 10 miles from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 miles from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.

              Click here for a virtual tour of the area.

              Natural Features:

              Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lake shore at South Overlook, offering shade and scenic views.

              Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrate through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March, and white-tailed deer and river otters are commonly viewed along the shoreline.

              Recreation:

              Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline.

              Anglers will find crappie, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill.

              Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.

              Facilities:

              South Overlook offers two reservable picnic shelters with 20 amp electrical outlets. Flush toilets are located nearby. A large parking lot will provide ample space for larger crowds.

              Nearby Attractions:

              Des Moines, Iowas capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.

              • Pets
              • Fires
              • Electric Hookups
              • Reservable
              • Tents
              • Group
            Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

            Recent Tent Reviews In Allerton

            128 Reviews of 12 Allerton Campgrounds


            • Bobby B.
              Camper-submitted photo from Grand Trace State Forest
              Oct. 2, 2024

              Grand Trace State Forest

              Quiet Missouri Conservation Area

              In Amish country. About eight fire rings. Probably could park anywhere and camp regardless of rings. 2 OCT 24 and been here five days and saw only two other campers. One night and two night stays for them. Safe place although I am a manly man so I do not worry. Safe for females I mean. About 30 minutes to Bethany proper where civilization is. 3 bar Verizon reception.

            • GThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Lake Paho
              Aug. 28, 2024

              Lake Paho

              Sparsly Used Dark sky Campsite

              Very nice view of the lake, lots of campsites around the lake. Not many lights around and no big cities and a low horizon so it’s a good place to visit for a visual observation night with a telescope or binos. Only one other camper at my campsite when I visited, so it’s a good weekend retreat from the city life. This is a primitive campsite; there are two waterless bathrooms and 8 or so gravel spots at site B on the Eastern side of the lake.

            • Renee H.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
              May. 7, 2024

              Howell Station

              Large spacious campground

              Well maintained campground with mature shade trees. Gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required. Poor Verizon cell signal, no internet signal. Not much natural privacy between sites, but sites were well spaced apart. Paved trail nice for biking and walking. Fishing nearby and the Dutch themed town of Pella is a short drive and a must see. Bathrooms and showers were nice, clean. Handicap camp site and bathhouse available. Firewood for sale at front gate. The potable water available at the dump station was clear and good for drinking. Dump station is easily accessible. Dumpsters were positioned around the campground. Staff was friendly. The night we stayed, there was a severe weather threat, and the staff, at the end of the night, had unlocked the storm shelters (utility area in the middle of the bathhouses) should the need arise. We ended up having to seek shelter because of a tornado warning.

            • Tina T.
              Camper-submitted photo from Nine Eagles State Park
              Apr. 24, 2024

              Nine Eagles State Park

              Campsites

              Facilities are available and very convenient and comfortable. Nice lake to swim and fish. Absolutely beautiful park and really nice trails. Thanks, Tina

            • Marie M.
              Camper-submitted photo from Eveland Access
              Oct. 26, 2023

              Eveland Access

              Glendale Access

              20 bucks a day you submit your fill out sheet at the service area and drop it off in a drop box.

            • M
              Camper-submitted photo from Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake
              Oct. 23, 2023

              Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

              Beautiful fall camping site

              We really enjoyed our stay at site 4 in the woods. It was absolutely beautiful with the fall colors and leaves falling all around us. We also enjoyed the trails around our site and a pretty view of a pond a short walk away. Anna was very responsive and gave thorough directions for us. We would stay again.

            • DThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Lakeside Co Park
              Oct. 18, 2023

              Lakeside Co Park

              Nice lake, but run down campsites.

              First, there is no dump station! All sites have water and electricity with 20, 30, and 60 amp plugs. The sites are 20 dollars. The campsites located near the entrance are pull-through but need maintenance. The campsites along the lake will support short to medium length RVs or trailers, and all are back in. As of this posting, all are not level and in poor condition. The city of Huneston, Iowa is a few minutes away and has several gas stations and a grocery store.

            • J
              Camper-submitted photo from Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake
              Oct. 8, 2023

              Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

              We had a great time at this site:) …

              We had a great time at this site:) Anna was very responsive and helpful when we had questions. I would definitely recommend to others, and I would return again.

            • DThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from East Lake Co Park
              Aug. 26, 2023

              East Lake Co Park

              Newer so campground still being established

              The campground was clean and quiet with water and electricity at each site. The dump station was set aside from the camp sites. The trees at the campground were recently planted so no shade. The best part is that there is plenty of room between camp sites so your not camping on top of your neighbors. Playground and bathrooms on site.

            • Meredith L.
              Camper-submitted photo from Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock
              Jun. 5, 2023

              Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock

              Perfect Weekend Getaway for EVERYONE!

              This park is beautiful with plenty to do and see. We camped out at site 82 which is a non-electric site and close to a Red Rock Lake shoreline. Spots are pretty close but they perfectly have grass tall enough to give you some privacy between spots. I was never bothered by either neighbors. The grass also gives you a path to the water spout. The staff member at the front was such a gentlemen and helped us with our firewood. There are some walking paths down to the lake which you can fish from. The views by the lake are beautiful too. The only thing to keep in mind with this spot is it is as far away from the bathrooms as possible. I, personally, didn't mind, but wanted to make note of it. We will be returning to this park. 

              Restrooms: Cleaner than I expected! And they are not port-a-potty type bathrooms, plumbing with nice stalls, toilets and sinks. 

              Dog-friendliness: My dog LOVED this campground. We kept her on a long-line stake(per parks' guidelines) and she had plenty of room to roam. 

              Picnic area: A picnic table is provided but they are older, so I recommend bringing your own table cloth and some towels or something for the seats.

            • Dylan H.
              Camper-submitted photo from Quail Ridge RV Park
              Apr. 19, 2023

              Quail Ridge RV Park

              Clean, Conveniently Located, Level Park

              Park has underwent a full makeover. Electrical, plumbing, surfaces all have been updated. Level, full-hookup, pull-through sites. First come first serve basis, always sites available unless if a holiday or abnormally buys traffic.

            • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Prairie Ridge Camping
              Jan. 20, 2023

              Prairie Ridge Camping

              Family Owned Campground

              Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to have this property on our platform. Featuring 12 RV sites and a camper rental, these's plenty of options to choose from. Book your stay and come back here to leave a review.

            • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Papa's Alpacas Campsites
              Jan. 12, 2023

              Papa's Alpacas Campsites

              Meet alpacas, goats and donkeys!

              Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're excited to welcome this partner to our platform. Randy is your host, and would love to take you on a tour on his farm. There are 4 sites in total, all with stunning 360  rolling hill views. A shared toilet and shower are available! Check them out and post some pictures here. Happy Camping!

            • Marla A.
              Camper-submitted photo from Eagle Ridge RV Park
              Oct. 20, 2022

              Eagle Ridge RV Park

              Great Stay

              Two hour notice! Super nice hosts and very helpful getting us settled in our spot. Very nice and neat Campground! We will definitely be back!

            • Evan G.
              Camper-submitted photo from Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake
              Oct. 4, 2022

              Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

              Peaceful, beautiful, incredible

              The perfect drive up private campsite you will find in Iowa. Very quiet with a beautiful view of three ponds and a sunset you will not want to miss. There are four campsites and a soon-to-be glamp site. Spacious, tranquil, and private. Halfway between Pella and Knoxville and on the lake red rocks peninsula, this is a must stay campsite.

            • Tiffany K.
              Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
              Sep. 6, 2022

              Howell Station

              All Around Pleasant Campground

              Humble campground. There are lots of electric sites available for RVs and the sites are all very flat. There is ample grass area. The bathrooms and showers are well kept. The grounds have play sets and swings for kids. There are some great paved paths to walk or bike. It's a good place to fish or bird watch.

            • r
              Camper-submitted photo from Crowder State Park
              Aug. 25, 2022

              Crowder State Park

              Nice park and campground

              Very nice area. The camping spots are relatively level and are mainly concrete or asphalt. The park hosts are friendly and helpful. The bathrooms and showers are very very clean. Even the vault bathroom next to our site wasn’t that nasty.

            • Jonathan T.
              Camper-submitted photo from Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)
              Aug. 24, 2022

              Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

              Incorrect Info on The Dyrt app

              I was searching for free campsites on The Dyrt app and this place showed in the results. Yet, in the description, this place says it charges $20/night. It's really irritating when a place shows up in the results, after I already selected the search criteria filters, then drive all the way to a place and find out the information on the app wasn't accurate. Why am I spending thirty-one thing dollars per month on this app lol?

            • Sean & Holly H.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Eagle Ridge RV Park
              Aug. 1, 2022

              Eagle Ridge RV Park

              Perfect get away off the 35

              Small campground with available spot with 2 days notice. Peaceful sites. Grounds very well kept. Full hookups and friendly staff. One of the best experiences on a site close to the 35, but far enough away you wouldn't know it. Good wifi. If you're looking for a beautiful park, this is it!

            • Deb M.
              Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park
              Jul. 25, 2022

              Lake Ahquabi State Park

              Overnight stop

              This was our very first night with our rental RV, so we were pretty clueless. :) We enjoyed the ease of our pull-thru site, although ours and most of the others were fairly open. The park itself has a nice lake, and the bathroom/showers were decent. A good overnight on the way to the Ozarks from MN

            • Deb M.
              Camper-submitted photo from Crowder State Park
              Jul. 25, 2022

              Crowder State Park

              Nice, but some pretty small sites

              This worked great as an overnight stop on our way to MN. We were there midweek during the off-season, so our nice pull-thru site was fine. Some sites were small and open. Bathrooms were closed for the season, but the building looked pretty new.

            • Jacob  W.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Lucas Pond - Stephens Forest
              Jul. 7, 2022

              Lucas Pond - Stephens Forest

              Vibrant Iowa forest in summer

              I tent camped at “Mine Pond Campground” in Stephen’s State Forest in July 2022. I arrived about 8:15pm and had about 45 minutes of daylight to pitch camp. The campground feels deep in a vibrant Iowa forest surrounded by lush greenery. That said, mosquitoes swarmed me instantly. And “Mine Pond” is a small muddy pond without the most remote possibility of swimming. The pond kind of seems too small to fish but maybe. A storm blew in around dark and it rained much of the night. The frogs sang loudly deep into the night (see my video for the audio), which I enjoyed. A pair of barred owls hooted and laughed in the dark trees. I departed early while it was still dark. I don’t think I’ll return to this place.



            Guide to Allerton

            Camping near Allerton, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

            What to do:

            • Fishing and Boating: Many campers enjoy fishing and boating at Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun. One visitor mentioned, "Very nice campground with lake to fish and boat on. Has beach access also."
            • Hiking: Explore the trails at Nine Eagles State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "Absolutely beautiful park and really nice trails."
            • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Lake Wapello State Park Campground have spotted plenty of wildlife. One camper shared, "Quite a bit of wildlife seen during kayaking and hiking—muskrat, beaver, swans, geese could be found on the water."

            What campers like:

            • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the sites. At Honey Creek Resort, one visitor noted, "The bathrooms were clean but they were a little bit of a walk from the Group Site."
            • Spacious Campsites: Many enjoy the spaciousness at Hickory Hills Park. A reviewer mentioned, "Looks to be about 10 sites, nicely spread apart. Big, clean fire pits with grills and a picnic table."
            • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often seek peace and quiet. One camper at Stephens State Forest said, "Very nice and quiet location when I went mid September."

            What you should know:

            • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Honey Creek Resort, have limited amenities. A visitor expressed frustration, saying, "There is no arcade as advertised."
            • Busy During Weekends: Campgrounds can get crowded on weekends. A camper at Island View Campground—Lake Rathbun noted, "It tends to be very busy."
            • No Reservations at Some Sites: Not all campgrounds allow reservations. A visitor at Hickory Hills Park mentioned, "They have fire pits and picnic tables. They also have two clean pit toilets."

            Tips for camping with families:

            • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. Nine Eagles State Park Campground has a "nice playground for the kids."
            • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor activities. One family at Honey Creek Resort enjoyed "corn hole, playing tic tac toe or jenga."
            • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks handy can keep everyone happy. A camper at Lake Wapello State Park Campground mentioned, "The beach is beautiful and the path around it is in great shape!"

            Tips from RVers:

            • Check Site Conditions: RVers should check the condition of the sites. One visitor at Lakeside Casino RV Park noted, "The concrete in our site was in poor condition."
            • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups. A camper at Honey Creek Resort mentioned, "All sites are paved, level, full hook ups, spacious, with a view of the lake."
            • Be Mindful of Traffic: Some campgrounds have busy roads nearby. A visitor at Honey Creek Resort said, "Traffic flies through the campground to the boat ramp."

            Camping around Allerton, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Make sure to check out the local campgrounds for a great outdoor experience!

            Frequently Asked Questions

            • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Allerton, IA?

              According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Allerton, IA is Woodburn - Stephens Forest with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

            • What is the best site to find tent camping near Allerton, IA?

              TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Allerton, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.