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Best Tent Camping near Alton, IA

224 Reviews

Tent camping options near Alton, Iowa include several county-managed sites with river access. Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area in Washta provide basic accommodations for tent campers seeking a quiet experience. Dog Creek Co Park in Sutherland and Oneota Little Sioux Access in Spencer round out the available tent camping areas within driving distance of Alton.

Most tent campgrounds in this region offer minimal amenities but adequate space for primitive camping. Stieneke Area Park features a hand pump water well, though the water may not be potable. Sites cost $10 per night with payment collected via lockbox or by rangers who visit in the afternoon. Vault toilets are available at these locations, but campers should bring their own water and supplies. The parks provide river access for kayaking and canoeing but have limited designated camping spots.

These small county parks offer peaceful environments away from crowds. According to one visitor, "Quiet little campground. I only saw 3 sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more." While the tent camping areas lack formal site designations, they provide ample space for setting up tents. Ranney Knob Area includes some picnic tables and trash disposal, making it suitable for short stays. The riverside location creates opportunities for water activities as a complement to tent camping. Parking is limited at these locations, particularly at Ranney Knob Area, where a review mentioned there are "no designated camp sites and limited parking." The simplicity of these backcountry tent camping options appeals to visitors seeking solitude rather than developed facilities.

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Best Tent Sites Near Alton, Iowa (4)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Alton, IA

224 Reviews of 4 Alton Campgrounds

  • Amy S.
    Apr. 26, 2020

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Beautiful area with many recreational activities.

    This park is tucked in the middle of a Brandon neighborhood. I've always been a tenter in the past. I am new to RV camping. I was pleasantly surprised how much space there was between each campsite. We stayed in 37E. It was level as most of the sites appeared to be. It's spring now so the trees are just starting to bud but this site will have some shade and privacy when everything blooms. The picnic table and fire ring were clean and in good repair. I enjoyed my stay here. My only criticism is the overly full vault toilets. I'll spare you the details but it was un pleasant. I would visit again!

  • Susan L.
    Sep. 5, 2020

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Convenient camping near Sioux Falls

    This Recreation Area is large and  located off the Sioux River, which was slow flowing when I visited. It’s not the most picturesque river I’ve seen, so if you’re looking for that look further. However, because it was slow moving it made for a nice round trip paddle. 

    Easy access from 90W, not much road noise and close to the town of Brandon for supplies. 

    There’s a fantastic disc golf course complete with a creaky suspension foot bridge that spans the fiver. 

    Great hiking and biking trails too. I hiked the Valley of the Giants trail, which earns its name because of the many old, “giant” oaks in this river bottom area. It’s an easy hike with one slight incline/decline, but the loop was curtailed by a giant felled oak tree.  The path was completely covered and no matter which way I tried I couldn’t see the trail it had become so overgrown. Sadly it seems that this has been the fate of several the the Giants, perhaps due to the river flooding.

    The campground has gravel pads. My site backed up to the river but there was a bushy berm and the bike/walking bath between the site and the river. No problem to access the river though because there are little paths worn through the bushes. Lots of trees for shade and good space between sites. There’s electric but no water at site. Fill up by the restrooms or before you come. Picnic table and fire ring with grill connected. Fire ring is on a cement pad. I’d never seen that before. 

    There are also  cabins for rent and when I was there the restrooms looked clean and functional.  Picnic shelter and gazebo are on site as well as the Bergeson’s Homestead. It’s always nice to see history being preserved like this! When I’m passing through this area again, I’ll revisit this recreation area.

  • Nathan L.
    Jul. 18, 2024

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Nice little nook with lots of cover!

    This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!

    The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one. Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!

    Highly recommend!

  • S
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Stone State Park Campground

    Quick weekend trip

    Planned to stay for the weekend to test out new tent but storms came through & we left after one night. Basic campground in shady area under trees. We did not get an electric hookup. Ground was mostly dirt not grass on our site & mostly dry. Large trees provided shade which helped as very hot & humid. We were next to a ravine but with plenty of bug spray did not get many bites. Hiked the Bear & Buffalo trails. Campground very quiet though a few people came & went. Washrooms are very basic & chose not to use shower. The Park Ranger did check on us & advise on weather conditions. Picnic table & fire pit were fine. Got only 1 bar signal on both Verizon & AT&T. No WiFi. Overall basic, woody/shaded. Good for short stay.

  • Myrna G.
    Jul. 24, 2019

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Beautiful and peaceful

    Heading home needed a one night camp spot. This one fit the bill.
    Located in Brandon not far from Sioux Falls. Clean bathrooms with showers. Firewood available to purchase. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Bike and hiking trails. Plus plenty of privacy. Definitely will return.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 28, 2021

    Turkey Ridge — Ponca State Park

    Great Winter Camp

    A lot of places in Iowa are closed to camping until April or even May. I looked west and quickly found this. There are areas of the park that are "closed for winter", but I was able to find a primitive spot for an overnight to get out and enjoy the rebound from the subzero weather of the previous weeks. Some sites in that section are quite spacious.....although it was just me, so I had a lot of space! there were several water spigots in that section as well, so water is available during the camping season. There was a restroom fairly close by, and in the 15 hours I was there, the ranger checked on the restrooms twice. I didn't use it, but that is an indication that they aren't torn apart. No one was at the entrance, so I had to go the the education center to find self registration. The primitive rate is$15, but they reduced it to$10 in the off-season. A pass is required to camp, so you can add another$5 if you're a Nebraska resident, and$8 if you're from out of state. Season passes are also available.$40 resident,$45 non-resident. All primitive sites had shade. Lots of trees throughout the park. Beautiful.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2023

    Turkey Ridge Campground, Oak Grove Park

    Smaller County CG in neat park

    CG is situated along a crop field with decent shade, has hard pads with tables, fire rings/grill, firewood ,dump station, trails, nature center nearby.

  • Emily C.
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Sioux City North KOA

    Very fun

    A tent site was $40 with no electricity so it’s more pricy then other sites but they have a ton of things to do. Checkers, chess, swings, play set, mini golf, inflatable bouncy blog, pool, and more. They had a gift shop with anything you needed to buy. The bathrooms were very nice and clean but did smell a bit. They had electricity/ wall outlets in the bathrooms. The highway is very close so you do hear cars. Privacy fences around the site to block out the neighborhood. Very nice staff!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2023

    Deer Run Campground, Oak Grove Park

    Neat County CG with great views

    Larger CG has terraced sites with hard pads, tables, fire rings/ firewood, shaded spots, electric, horseshoes, nature center nearby.

Guide to Alton

Alton, Iowa offers primitive tent campsites in several county parks within a 30-minute drive. The area sits where the Big Sioux and Floyd Rivers meet, creating opportunities for paddling and fishing. Most campgrounds near Alton provide basic amenities with vault toilets and limited facilities, making this area suitable for campers seeking a more rustic experience.

What to do

Paddling adventures: Stieneke Area Park provides river access for canoe and kayak enthusiasts. "Small park, peaceful, river access for canoe/kayak. No designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper," notes Joshua D. in his review of Stieneke Area Park.

Water recreation: Located approximately 20 miles from Alton, Dog Creek County Park offers water activities during summer months. The park features vault toilets and 30-amp hookups for those bringing small campers or tents with electrical needs.

Fishing opportunities: Ranney Knob Area provides access to local waterways where visitors can fish. "Small park, has some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can... Does offer access for canoe/kayaking on the river," explains Joshua D. in his review of Ranney Knob Area.

What campers like

Affordability: Camping fees remain reasonable at local parks. Kent H. reports about Stieneke Area Park: "Quiet little campground. I only saw 3 sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more. $10 per night and the Rangers came at about 3:30 pm to clean the vault toilet and collect my fee from the lockbox."

Solitude: Many camping areas near Alton see limited traffic, especially on weekdays. In his review of Stieneke Area Park, Kent H. shares: "I'm the only person in the campground... It's about a half mile from a well traveled road, but as I write this it's 7 in the evening and there's no more traffic."

Basic facilities: Though primitive, local campgrounds maintain necessary amenities. At Ranney Knob Area, campers appreciate having "some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can" according to visitor reviews.

What you should know

Payment systems: Most primitive campsites near Alton use self-pay methods. As one camper explains about Ranney Knob Area: "Camping is $10 a night, pay on site."

Water availability: While some sites offer water access, potability may be questionable. Kent H. notes at Stieneke Area Park: "There's a hand pump water well. Give it a dozen pumps to get it going. I don't suppose it is potable water."

Limited sites: Many camping areas have unmarked or undesignated spaces. Joshua D. observes that at Stieneke Area Park there are "no designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper," while at Ranney Knob he found "no designated camp sites and limited parking."

Tips for camping with families

Space considerations: When bringing children to primitive tent campsites near Alton, Iowa, select areas with adequate room. At Ranney Knob Area, while there are "no designated camp sites," families can find space to spread out near picnic tables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Alton, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Alton, IA is Stieneke Area Park with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Alton, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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