Best Tent Camping near Anamosa, IA

Recent Tent Reviews in Anamosa

517 Reviews of 24 Anamosa Campgrounds

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 20, 2025

  Wilderness Campground, Scott County Park

  Nice wooded primitive County campground

  Although this campground is closed for the winter, these sites offer wooded and shaded spots. Sites themselves offer tables and firings. The campground has a seasonal host offering firewood on site, showers and restrooms, play area, trails, and overflow parking just adjacent for the entrance.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 20, 2025

  Woodside Campground, Scott County Park Iowa

  Nice, newer campground with solar power!

  Campground is closed for the winter season. Campground offers host, nicely maintained heated showers and restrooms, play area, firewood, available on site, RV pads are hard surface, have fire rings, water, electric, tables. Since this campground is newer, not much shade yet.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 20, 2025

  Pine Grove Campground, Scott Co Park

  Smaller campground in primitive tent, site area

  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.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 20, 2025

  Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins

  Very nice, year round camping in large county park

  This campground is the largest RV campground in the park. A portion of this campground is sectioned off for the season, though plenty of spacious sites are available that include: fire pit, tables, water, electric, hard pads, firewood, available, heated shower house, very clean, Recycling bins, overflow parking, electric vehicle charge station, wheelchair, charging station, seasonal host ( currently vacant ).The park offers miles of trails, fishing at pride Lake, a historical Pioneer Village within the park at the north, equestrian trails, bicycle trails.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 18, 2025

  Palisades-Kepler State Park

  Nice Park & CG off US-30

  Park offers lots of amenities and recreation opportunities. Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations. Campground offers pads, firings, electric, tables, and there is a dump station. Restrooms, shelters, overflow parking, and a youth campsite is available. Sites include tent and RV sites.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 1, 2025

  Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

  The Robin to the Bat Caves of Campgrounds

  Hand’s down, this is one of Iowa’s best state parks, so if you’ve never made your way here to Maquoketa Caves SP, you need to start making your plans. And if you are coming with a large group of kiddos, Maquoketa SP has you covered with not one 1, but 3 individual large group sized campsites with each accompanied by its own duo split restroom albeit basic with a simple, but very clean privy. You’ll access all three of these youth camping sites by taking your second left after accessing the SP turning left on 98 Street after passing the Maquoketa SP Visitor Center. Each site is completely shrouded by tall grasses providing some solid privacy as you stare up at an unobstructed view of a perfect star-filled night sky. Each site has its own designated firepit accompanied by several picnic tables and chopped logs, which serve as extra seating.

  Beyond this, there’s no additional amenities, however there are more than 6 miles of hiking trails that await your ‘spazierengehen’ pleasure as well as pretty close access to Raccoon Creek, which is not big enough to do anything that includes oars (but at least you’ll have a good view of a trickling stream). Apart from the youth campground itself, there’s 13 bat caves to explore and scattered throughout the SP, you’ll find plenty of shelters with picnic tables featuring an assortment of both in-ground and stand-up BBQ grills. There’s a very good children’s playground near the only other campground here at Maquoketa SP, and it’s just a short hike up the hill past the bat cave entrance– about ¾ mile hike from the youth campground.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) While there’s not much in the way of decent, deep waterways at this SP to explore, if you head due east, check out 6B’s Campground, which on its lower level you’l discover has direct access to the Maquoketa River, which is definitely worth your oar paddling effort, but do yourself a favor and reach out to 6B’s before paying a visit; (2) In the event that you grow weary of trying to conjure up your next meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and you want to check out some local fare, trust me, there’s not much in these parts, although there is a small hidden-in-the-weeds joint called Bluff Lake Catfish Farm that not only serves up some amazing Midwest comfort food (fried catfish, cole slaw, fried shrimp, sirloin, fried chicken, prime rib, fried haddock), but the food shack sits in front of a lake complete with ducks who will eat your leftovers right out of your hand; and (3) If you’ve never gone spelunking before – and trust me, if you come here to Maquoketa SP, you’re going to want to – then make sure you bring the right gear: headlamp, good sturdy hiking boots, pants to keep the bugs, spiders and ticks away as well as plenty of water to stay hydrated.

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 26, 2024

  Sleepy Hollow

  Short Jog to This Campground Outpost From I80

  If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to pull over for a decent escape to nature, then you may very well want to consider Sleepy Hollow, which is just a few minutes north of I80. Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped both the non-stop whir of incessant highway traffic and the unsightly view of a heavily trafficked main roadway. Add on top of this that you’ll find this location is perfectly suitable to the RV crowd as much as it is the tent-pitching bredren that belong to my tribe of outdoor enthusiasts.

  Here at this campground you’ll find RV and 5th Wheel sites offering both pull-thru and back-in sites complete with full hook-ups (water, 30 / 50 amp electric and sewage). There’s 7 tent sites that are very well shaded, have a decent patch of land and include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills. Whether you have a tent, an RV or not, this campground has a small handful of cozy cabins available to rent that come with running hot & cold water as well as electricity and are located close to the fishing pond. What I enjoyed most with the primitive camping area was the serenity offered by the abundance of new growth Oaks that shaded the place, along with unfettered views of the lake itself. Priceless.

  Sleepy Hollow offers a number of amenities including: ‘catch& release’ pond (both swimming and fishing potential), ball pit, kid’s playground, puppy park, designated dumpsters, fairly decent WiFi, community firepits, general market store, laundr-O-mat, shower facility, pavilion, horseshoes, game room, volleyball and basketball courts, artificial beachhead with swim area and windmills. There’s a lagoon with hundreds of ducks, but depending upon how you look at this, it may or may not be considered an amenity, but if you have kids like I do, it’s a great distraction that offers up a lot of duck-feeding fun.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re looking for a decent bit of hiking, there’s a nice slice of nature near here at Sleepy Hollow a bit NE called Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area where there’s plenty of trails, shooting ranges and some fairly decent bird watching; (2) When you get tired trying to conjure up that next meal from your cooler or on-board fridge, then head over to nearby Renee’s Roadhouse where this roadside stand serves up standard Americana fare like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. For anything more substantial, you’ll have to take a longer drive east to Iowa City of which I recommend Steak & Shake, Back Berner Bar & Grill or Barrel House; (3) If you’d like to embrace the Amish vibe that exists here in rural Iowa, then head due north to Amana Colonies where you’ll come across hand-made blankets and artisan-crafted cabinetry all while offering you some very warm Midwestern hospitality.

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 26, 2024

  Woodside Campground, Scott County Park Iowa

  Nice Flat, Well-Groomed Albeit Barren CG

  This CG is one of 6 that you have to choose from here at Scott County Park, wherein Woodside is definitely more geared for the RVs – especially the much larger ones, so if you have a very big rig, this likely is the best CG for you – with each site offering FHUs with electric, water& sewage, fire rings and picnic tables. If you wanted to tent camp here, you could, although I would recommend nearby Incahias or Sac-Fox as better for tent campers. Unlike some of the other campgrounds, Woodside is somewhat bare and desolate inside the actual campground with the land being incredibly flat, but wide open so therefore not providing much privacy or shade whatsoever. Back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level with the grounds being incredibly well-kept and impeccably clean bathroom / shower facilities with great HOT running water.

  Albeit with a short hike through the forest, Woodside CG is near Cody Lake and Glynn’s Creek, which offers some decent oaring in your kayak or canoe. Sitting adjacent to Cody Lake is an eponymous community shelter than can be reserved or used on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s also a playground for the kiddos and a restroom facility that is also spartan-clean as well access to Glynn’s Creek Trailhead which is a moderate hike and further afield throughout the rest of the park, there’s no shortage of hiking / biking / horse trails. We found Woodside to be fairly quiet, although lacking in privacy without the benefit of any real brush or trees to blot out our next-door neighbors, but that said, everyone was incredibly friendly with full displays of Midwestern hospitality that this area is known for.

  Scott County Park is easy to fall in love with, whether traveling solo or with a family as there is a lot that this park offers up: from fresh water catch & release lakes, combination of topographies, from woodlands, wetlands and prairie grasslands, beautiful 18-hole championship golf course, outdoor exercise areas, club house and concessions, stand-alone cabins for rent, designated dump stations and trash receptacles, numerous picnic areas, massive heated swimming pool complete with a snake-like water slide, volleyball court, ranger stations, seasonal on-site hosts, firewood available for purchase at entry stations, Walnut Grove Pioneer Village and St. Anne’s church at the park’s NW perimeter, 7 community shelters, designated picnic areas, a memorial park, equestrian area and an incredibly well-paved network of roads that allows you to easily access just about every corner of this park. Oh, and the incredibly friendly rangers that constantly patrol and keep this beautiful park in full working order were nothing short of amazing.

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Misty B.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 12, 2024

  BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

  Will not be back! Lot of Money and Issues

  Water keeps running out. When it does run its white and tastes nasty. You can't do anything with it except flush and shower and that's if it doesn't run out or the mains keep breaking. Pressure horrible, pump issues. Was charged $1300 for 6 weeks because they charged me for the whole month even though i wasnt there until last 2 weeks of the month. They are not maintaining the grounds. The pool has been left unfinished for years and is still sitting empty with minimal plastic netting around it. The streets are caving in. Trash is always overflowing all over. The swimming water is right next to the leach pond where your stool is broken down and treated (although it isn't working correctly causing massive issues with odor, color and taste and then recycled back to your camper for showering and drinking water, washing dishes, etc. Hills (where campers park) all lead to bottom of hill where pond is, so if maintenance is this bad now, imagine sliding downhill into the pond due to ice and snow. Showers have push button that only runs water for couple minutes and it's set temp so you have no control over the temp at all. The whole park is run down, lots are extremely small and parking is only on gravel, but many lots only have enough gravel to park a camper so you have to park on other side of park and rent a golf cart (which is extremely high at 100 for 2 days or 60 for one day.) or walk. I could go on, but many others will be posting to tell the same. Had to move from lot 69 to 85 because it was so slanted my disabledd daughter couldn't make it across the lot to the camper. (She has autism and cerebral palsy) They don't salt their roads, causing me to slip and fall. Got fractured skull and stitches. Tree fell on car due to weather but I fell due to their negligence. Salting roads would have prevented my injury. 10am the next day and nobody out cleaning up debris. They deliberately put a clause in their contract that prevents you from suing them if you are injured on their property due to their neglect and failure to maintain property. You are required to sign it in order to rent the lot.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 10, 2024

  6B's Campground

  Duo-Layered Camping Experience

  My twin brother and I discovered this little hidden gem of a campground outpost just a mile or so east of Maquoketa Caves SP. This nature-infested outpost is split into 2 levels with an upper plateau section that is more geared towards the tent-pitchin’ bredren of my tribe, while the lower level straddles the Maquoketa River and offers up splendid waterfront views of the slow-moving, fresh-water creek variety. Apart from the very welcoming folks that run this place, led by Karen Townsend, what I loved most about 6B’s was the very welcoming community of fellow campers who rolled out the‘red carpet’ treatment for us when we rocked up. The upper level offers up only a solid picnic table, in-ground fire rings w/ fold-up BBQ grills and a tree-lined backdrop with a fenced in front lawn– perfect for a quick and EZ set-up. Massive bonus points for the location of this campground, which apart from rural country farmers and bat cave tourist passerby traffic, there was virtually no noise pollution to battle with.

  If you’re rolling in on an RV, 5th wheeler or trailer, while you likely could park your mobile living room on the upper plateau, you’ll likely feel much more comfortable on the lower river basin, providing that you can make it down the somewhat steep decline gravel road(this is Iowa, so I don’t think anyone will be too challenged, but just want to put the decline out there). Before you’ve arrived at the river’s edge, you’ll notice a simply sublime solo picnic table that has strategically been placed in one of the very large, abandoned bat caves, which makes for a very special picnic outing. Turning left as you reach the riverfront, you’ll follow a single, narrow loop that offers up slots on a first-come, first-served basis, with each offering up water, 30 amp electric, boat ramp, diving platform and a fairly flat landing to park for the night or a week(or even month!).

  Downsides? This camping outpost only accepts cash, money order or checks, which was a major bummer for us as we didn’t have any of those with us and while there were banks nearby(well, some 30 miles away), we weren’t members of the bank, which wasn’t even open, on account that it was after noon on a Saturday, so yeah, while a small thing, it became quite a big deterrent for us. If you can get this solo downside, there really is nothing else but upside, chief of which includes direct access to the Maquoketa River, which we enjoyed, given we were toting my tandem kayak with us, as well as, of course, just 3 miles west to Maquoketa Caves SP.

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 10, 2024

  Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

  Eco-Locate This Blissful Hidden Campground Gem

  This Iowa SP campground is simply AMAZING and if you are a bat cave spelunker, you are going to be absolutely excited by this place, if you don’t know it already. For the rest of us outdoor enthusiasts who are simply looking for a great campground, then you’ve also struck the campground lottery, but if you are interested in staying here, I would STRONGLY encourage you to mind your dates taking note of when bat hibernation ends and begins – for what it’s worth, my brother and I drove all the way here only to find out that hibernation began the day of our arrival. That said, we could still hike all of the amazing trails, but couldn’t access the bat caves.

  The campground that resides here, is less than a quarter mile away from the access point to the bat caves, creating huge upside for selecting this campground in the first place. A heavily wooded area encompasses every single site (there’s 28 in total w/ 24 offering 20 / 30 / 50 amp electric) providing a substantial amount of shade, will also allowing decent sunlight as well along a slowly winding lone lane that leads one into this shrouded camping haven. While the spots (#12-#16) towards the end of the lane are more earmarked for mi tent pitchin’ bredren, whereas the rest of the sites (#1-#11; #17-#28) are set-up for the RV and 5th Wheel toting crowd (although you could easily set up a tent on any one of these sites should you choose to).

  A couple of points to keep in mind– the entrance to the campground is the busiest, so if this is of concern, steer clear of #1-#3 or #27-#28. Second, if you have kids and want to be planted near the playground, you might want to target sites #26-#28, where the spacious kids playground sets right behind these sites. In the event that being nearest the built-in amenities (restroom, shower, water source, community library, trash, firewood) are important to you, then look at sites #5-7 and #23-26. With this in mind, as you meander further down the lone campground loop lane, the quieter and more sheltered the place gets, so from #6-#24 should be a prime target for you if peace & solitude are important to you. Despite all of the advice I’ve just given, I don’t think you can really go wrong with any site here.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re looking for a primitive tent camping experience, then you’re going to want to book sites #12 and #13, which set a bit further back for the cul-de-sac end of the lane offering up more privacy and less noise from the rest of the camping commune; (2) All sites designated for RV’s are back-in and range in driveway length between 31 and 68 feet; (3) The campground itself is closed between December 1 thru February 28 each year; (4) This SP offers up more than 370 acres with 6 miles of hiking trails with 13 distinct bat caves to explore, so bring good hiking shoes, headlamps, proper long sleeve shirts and pants to keep the bugs and ticks away, which abound here aplenty; and (5) There’s plenty of picnic tables, most under shelters as well as scattered stand-up and in-ground BBQ grills all offered up on a first-come, first-served basis.

  Happy Camping!

• j

  joelle V.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 13, 2024

  West Overlook Campground

  Wonderful place to enjoy Fall Colors

  We enjoy the peace and quiet especially with the views of the lake and the fall colors.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 9, 2024

  Jackson County Iowa Fairgrounds

  Small County fairground cg

  Offers basics: water, electric, showers some shade, stores nearby

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 9, 2024

  Horseshoe Pond

  Nice smaller CG in City of Maquoketa, Iowa

  CG offers gravel pads, tables, fire rings, electric, sump station, water, small pond with fishing, paddling, dog park. Close to stores for supplies, dining, fuel.

• 

  Brian O.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 2, 2024

  Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

  Nice campground, fun caves, older established state park

  My mom remembers visiting this park in the 40's. Not a surprise since Grampa was a Geologist.
  This is a small campground for such an old park, only 34 sites, walk-ins included. All sites are along one road with a turnaround at the end. There is only one building with toilets, showers and no pit toilets. These are clean and well maintained.
  There is a playground near the entrance that is shared with the caves entrance area, a bit of a walk.
  The caves themselves are down a long hill from the campground. There are facilities there too, and a concession stand with limited hours/ days. The caves are fun to explore, but not ADA accessible. Bring flashlights and in some areas watch your head.
  The Visitor's center at the park entrance is staffed by volunteers and only open on weekends.
  Once you've done the caves, there's not much else to see within the park. But visit the Hurstville interpretive center for a nice nature center and trails.

• 

  Wendy R.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 26, 2024

  Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area - Cedar River Campground

  Peaceful and close to a town

  There are sites along the river, while others are larger tucked along the woods and not close to each other. Perfect get away. 15-20 minutes to the closest town.

• 

  Ashley F.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 24, 2024

  Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

  Great place for a short trip

  I’ll begin by saying this is by far the cleanest campground I have stayed at. The facilities were well kept including the vault toilet houses. We stayed in a walk to site and the views were incredible. Our tent pad was quite rocky so I would recommend sleeping pads or you will be very uncomfortable. Our site was also extremely dusty which wasn’t a problem at all just be prepared to be a little dirty. The campground was quiet except for the occasional train that rolled through those are quite loud due to how close they are to the campground. I would definitely come back to Nelson Dewey and stay again. There was not a ton to do in the area so a short weekend stay was perfect. A highlight is that the park provided cart to use to haul all your stuff to the walk to sites. There is 1 designated parking spot per walk to site as well. The walk to sites are small and only accommodated our one (6 person) tent which was not a problem for us as we knew this ahead of time.

• R

  Ryan S.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 22, 2024

  Oelwein City Park

  This is a beautiful city park campground

  I enjoyed my 5 night stay at Oelwein City Park Campground. It's located on the south end of town, there is only one business within walking distance. It's a great restaurant (Oelwein Family Restaurant) and it's about a 15 minute walk.

  There is one shower house, and several vault toilets throughout the park. The shower house is old and a little run down but was very clean. I had no problems using it.

  The city park is adjacent to the campground and has picnic shelters, a playground, and a dog park.

  There are electric and water hookups at most sites, and there is a dump station. The park was pretty full on the weekend as you would expect, but very quiet during the week.

  I had great Verizon and T-mobile service here.

• 

  Jeff and Linda L.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 20, 2024

  Grant River Recreation Area

  Feet from the Mississippi

  The park is on the beautiful might Mississippi river. It’s 2 miles from Potosi, WI with a large brewery with good food as well. Army Corps so half price with America The Beautiful senior discount card. If you like trains you will see many, close and going fast.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 19, 2024

  Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

  Very nice County cabin near Wapsi River

  Cabin sleeps 6, has all amenities including firewood at no cost! Education center onsite with live animals, trails, open year round, Wapsipinicon River below bluff offers paddling, fishing. Menke Observatory offers sky programs.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 19, 2024

  Bennett Park

  Nice small County CG with pond

  Campground is nice with a few newer amenities, including shower house and handicap campsite. Gravel pads at sites include tables, fire, pits, electric,. There’s a dump station, play area, shelters for rent, and a pond that you can actually swim and fish and paddling.

• R

  Ryan S.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 15, 2024

  Fontana County Park

  New, clean, no trees

  There is a brand new campground here with full hookups. There are no trees so I decided to pass and not camp here. Evidently there is an "old" campground somewhere in this park also that I did not find. The signs will direct you to the new campground.

  I had good T-mobile and Verizon service here.

• 

  Jerry H.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 12, 2024

  Swiss Valley County Park

  Very nice experience

  Nice trails around. Camp was clean. Cool creek and bridge. Priced appropriately at $23 a night.

• 

  Jeff and Linda L.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 2, 2024

  Wildcat Bluff County Park

  Nice small park

  Small quite county park with electricity at most sites. First come sites. On Labor Day weekend only 5 campers there out of 21 sites. We found one with mostly shade. There is a first class 21 hole frisbee golf course at this park. Close to 52 mile Cedar Valley Nature bike trail. On the Cedar River. Boats were going in and out, I would guess you could Kayak there. One half mile on gravel to the park. No cell service.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 28, 2024

  Sherman Co Park

  Scenic County park along Wapsipinicon River

  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.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 28, 2024

  Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins

  Nice modern cabin in County campground

  Cabin sits at end of campground lane with covered porch, parking for 3 cars, ADA accessible. Cabin has 2 sleeping rooms, sleeping loft, and sofa. Capacity is 10, with all kitchen amenities. Has fire pit, wood available in campground, tables, and gas grill with rental. Playground nearby, park has seasonal pool, garden of course, trails, Pride Lake for fishing and paddling.

• W

  Wayne K.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 24, 2024

  Riverview Ridge

  Unique River and Trail Access Campground

  Two hour float trips on the North Fork Maquoketa River are available directly from the campground. There is a mix of permanent and temporary campers. The tent sites, nearest the river, are well spaced with flush toilets. Apparently there are also good trails, as many of the campers have ATV’s parked at their sites. The shower house, under the office, was spacious and clean.