Best Campgrounds near Bellevue, IA

Campgrounds along the Mississippi River near Bellevue, Iowa feature a mix of state park facilities, Corps of Engineers sites, and private RV parks offering views of the river valley. Bellevue State Park provides electric and non-electric sites with modern shower facilities, while Maquoketa Caves State Park offers campsites near its unique cave system about 20 miles southwest. Several riverfront campgrounds like Off Shore RV Park and Pleasant Creek provide direct water access for boating and fishing. The camping landscape ranges from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV pads, with some locations offering cabin rentals and glamping options for those seeking additional comfort.

The camping season in this region generally runs from April through October, with most public campgrounds closing for winter. Bellevue State Park's Dyas Unit operates from April 1 to December 31, while many riverfront camping areas have shorter seasons due to potential flooding along the Mississippi. Water levels can affect campsite availability, particularly in spring when river levels rise. Most established campgrounds require reservations through Iowa's state park system or private operators. "Most sites are RVs and they largely park on the other side of the loops. Mostly older folks. There's not a lot of trails on the campsite side of Bellevue but they were lovely and secluded and nice to get grounded," noted one camper about Bellevue State Park.

Mississippi River views rank among the most valued features according to visitor reviews, with several campers highlighting riverside camping as their primary reason for visiting the area. Maquoketa Caves State Park consistently receives high ratings for its unique landscape despite having more basic amenities. A visitor described it as "extremely amazing at this little unique Park in the middle of farmland Iowa." Proximity to water access points for fishing and boating appears frequently in positive reviews, with the COE Mississippi River Recreation Areas offering good river access. Campgrounds like Off Shore RV Park provide amenities including electric hookups, water, and shower facilities, making them suitable for longer stays. Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with some riverfront sites experiencing occasional train noise while state park locations offer more secluded settings.

Best Camping Sites Near Bellevue, Iowa (108)

    1. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 273-2731

    "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."

    "It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."

    2. Bellevue State Park Campground — Dyas Unit

    8 Reviews
    Bellevue, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 872-4019

    $12 - $28 / night

    "We camped at Bellevue last summer (Aug. 2017) & it was not at all crowded. It was a really nice campground with new shower & bathroom facilities."

    "There’s not a lot of trails on the campsite side (Dyas unit) of Bellevue but they were lovely and secluded and nice to get grounded. Bathrooms are clean and nice. The soap smells really good!"

    3. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Baldwin, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 652-5833

    $20 - $28 / night

    "This is a great weekend stay, with short trails that show some beautiful and unusual scenery for central Iowa. The natural bridge is incredible, and the sites are well spaced out."

    "Maquoketa Cave State Park , Maquoketo, Iowa

    We stopped here for two days on our “Westward Ho” road trip in mid August 2020. Temperatures 80’s in the day to 60’s overnight."

    4. Blanding Landing

    5 Reviews
    Bellevue, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 582-0881

    $14 - $25 / night

    "Hosts are friendly and I saw rangers driving through multiple times. Each site includes picnic table and fire pit. Most have electric. "

    5. Palace Campground

    8 Reviews
    Galena, IL
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 777-2466

    "This campground is tucked into a little area next to a Walmart, Culvers, and Mini golf course. It sits between east Dubuque and Galena. When we stayed they had a dirt bike rally."

    "Campground was right next to Walmart, which was convenient, and a short walk down to the high school to get the shuttle into Galena itself."

    6. Off Shore RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Bellevue, IA
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 872-5000

    $69 - $139 / night

    "CG offers river views, hard lanes, tables, fire rings, RR, playground, food, and is just 2 miles north of river town of Bellevue for supplies."

    "Boat ramp nearby, resort has restaurant, playground, water park."

    7. Spruce Creek Park

    2 Reviews
    Bellevue, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 652-3783

    "There's fishing, exploring, a playground, and when you see a paddleboat you have time to drive to town before it hits loch & damn #12. It's a beautiful spot right on the river with views galore."

    8. Swiss Valley County Park

    9 Reviews
    Dubuque, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 556-6745

    "Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails."

    "Fishing seemed popular in catfish creek about 50 feet away from our sight. There is a sign that states firewood is for sale at 6pm but the ranger was about 45 min late bc he tends to two other parks."

    9. Vel Terra

    4 Reviews
    Elizabeth, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 858-3866

    $25 - $40 / night

    "He also pointed out that there were some walking trails but to be wary of a poisonous plant.
    The grounds are impeccably kept. He provides wood for you to burn."

    "All the land is private so there's not great hiking (a little in the state park about 20 min drive away), IL law allows waterways to be privately owned so you can't kayak the river, etc."

    10. COE Mississippi River Recreation Areas Pleasant Creek

    1 Review
    La Motte, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 582-0881

    "No electric, is primitive.Close to town for supplies and Bellevue State Park with views of river from bluffs."

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Recent Reviews near Bellevue, IA

483 Reviews of 108 Bellevue Campgrounds


  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Sac-Fox Campground, Scott Co Park

    The Brady Bunch of Campgrounds

    SOC-Fox Campground is like the middle child in a family of seven - yes, count 'em seven - campgrounds within Scott County Park. Think Brady Bunch, but with fire pits and RV hookups instead of bell bottoms and avocado-colored kitchens. It’s not the flashiest sibling, but it’s got that reliable Midwest charm that makes you go,'Yep, it's not the most attractive, but it will get the job done.' First impression? Clean, organized and incredibly less chaotic than you’d expect from the Jan of the camping family.

    The sites here are roomy, shaded, and well-behaved, just like campers who say 'please' and 'thank you' everywhere you go, well, because you're in the Midwest. You’ve got a mix of electric and FHU options, so everyone from RV royalty to tent campers with coolers full of questionable lunch meat can settle in comfortably. Roads are wide enough that you won’t have to close one eye and pray when maneuvering your rig. Bathhouses? Shockingly nice. Like, did a spa consultant sneak in here when no one was looking?!  Nice. Fire rings and picnic tables come standard, and the pet-friendly vibe means your dog will probably make more friends than you do.  There's some shade, but most of it is on the treeline on the perimeter.

    And let’s talk about Scott County Park itself, which is like the Disney World of county parks. You want hiking? Got it. Equestrian trails? Saddle up. Disc golf? Fore! Playground for the kids? Absolutely. And then there’s the aquatic center. Not a pool. Not a splash pad. A full-on aquatic wonderland with waterslides, diving boards and enough chlorine to strip a small car of paint. Meanwhile, other campgrounds are out here bragging about their kiddie swings. Weak, right?!

    Insider Tips?  Here's a handful: (1) Shady sites near the woods are perfect for naps and hiding from the in-laws, while open sites are better if you need your daily satellite news fix; (2) Hungry? Roll into nearby Eldridge for The Rustic Ridge, where the burgers are taller than your nephew’s science project and fries are an entire food group all to itself; (3) Kayak fans can float the Wapsipinicon River where it’s calm, scenic and you’ll get to wave at locals fishing with that 'I’ve lived here since 1842' energy; and (4) Don’t skip the aquatic center as your kids will cannonball themselves into exhaustion while you finally finish that camp chair beer in peace.

    Happy Camping!

  • Susan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Creek Valley Campground

    Trip to Mackinac

    A little cramped, nice people. We didn't use the pool but it had adults only after dark. Our site backed up to the forest, there's a short trail thru the trees. Most sites have FHU, most are back-in. We had one of the sites with only water and electric. There is a dump station, small concession, playground. A small creek runs around much of the outside of the property.

  • Sam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Loud, crowded.

    I don't think we'll be back. The best part about the whole experience was the crazy road that leads to the overlooks. The campground is stacked close together, there's no signs for directing you towards sites, no place to put garbage, only a couple vault toilets. Never did see the shower house, but we just left the next day anyways. Loud people singing, playing music and snapping limbs till almost 4am, trains run all night. Not really my kinda place.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Blanding Landing

    Safe, peaceful and friendly! Will definitely be back!

    I stayed at site 36 over the Labor Day weekend, and it was incredible. I was a solo female traveler with my two service dogs. When I arrived, the site was clean, and we had a site with an open site on one side making it feel twice as big. The other campers were friendly, and the one site neighbor we had (a young couple about my age with a pup too!) even came to visit and meet my dogs and gave them organic dog treats.🥹 The icing on the cake was the woman who monitored the sites, Anne. She was so kind and welcoming, and made me feel comfortable and safe. I can’t wait to come back and visit again. Highly recommend!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Great campground

    Beautiful park. The campground has less than 30 sites, most of which have power. The walk in sites are very private but still less than 75 yards from your car. You are in thick forest and will hear lots of animal sounds at night.

  • M
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Serene Campground with Great Amenities

    Everything about our stay was enjoyable. Campsites were spaced out well and amenities were great. Don’t forget to check out the hiking trails!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice, quite, cabin surrounded by forest

    Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Bennett Park

    Nice smaller County CG with small lake

    CG has newer RR/shower house. Sites have electric, fire rings, gravel pads. There is a Play area, shelter , host site, dump station. Park has small lake for paddling and fishing.


Guide to Bellevue

Camping options near Bellevue, Iowa range from riverfront sites to forested campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. Located in Jackson County along the Mississippi River, Bellevue sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level in a landscape characterized by steep limestone bluffs and wooded ravines. Weather conditions can change quickly due to the river valley geography, with frequent morning fog during summer months and potential for flash flooding in spring.

What to Do

Cave exploration: Visit Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, located about 20 miles southwest of Bellevue. "This is a very basic park, no lake, no added attractions just trails, picnicking and a small, quiet and well shaded, electric sites," notes one visitor. The park features 13 distinct bat caves to explore, so "bring headlamps/flashlights and prepare to have wet shoes."

Riverside fishing: The COE Mississippi River Recreation Areas Pleasant Creek provides excellent river access. "CG has gravel road, seasonal host, restrooms, fire rings, boat ramp and good river access for fishing, boating, paddling," reports one camper. Sites are primitive without electric hookups.

Trail hiking: Nearby Swiss Valley offers hiking options with varying difficulty levels. One camper describes it as having "great walking trails, creek, and small river for fishing." The area features limestone formations similar to those found along the Mississippi River bluffs.

What Campers Like

River views: Many campers appreciate the Mississippi River vistas. "You probably don't want sites 1 or 2, they are directly across from the dump site. The plus is they are directly across from the playground, picnic area and trail access," advises one visitor about Blanding Landing, which provides river access but also has nearby train tracks.

Privacy between sites: Bellevue State Park Campground receives praise for its site layout. "Quiet and beautiful campground. Campsites are walk in and sit back from other sites. Very nice facilities," notes one camper. Another mentions, "Sites are nice and spaced a decent bit apart."

Free firewood: Some campgrounds offer complimentary firewood. At Vel Terra, one visitor reports they "provide wood for you to burn" and have "both RV and Tent sites. Fire pits and picnic tables are at each site." The grounds are described as "impeccably kept."

What You Should Know

Site conditions vary widely: Not all sites are level or suitable for different camping types. "The site we had was fairly steep as far as tent sites go. The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem," shares one camper about Bellevue State Park.

Train noise: Several riverside campgrounds have nearby railroad tracks. At Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground, "trains run all night" according to one review. Another camper notes, "Loud people singing, playing music and snapping limbs till almost 4am, trains run all night."

Seasonal restrictions: Cave access at Maquoketa Caves may be limited during bat hibernation. "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," warns a visitor.

Tips for Camping with Families

Playground access: For families with children, some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Palace Campground, "they host events like mini golf. Swings and playground for kids." This campground is conveniently located between East Dubuque and Galena.

Bug protection: Insect repellent is essential, especially in late spring. "I think if we were here when it is less buggy, we would have enjoyed it much more but at the end of May, we saw a guy wearing a head net he said he wouldn't sell to us for a $100 (and we probably would have paid it!)," shares a Bellevue State Park visitor.

Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on proximity to facilities. At Maquoketa Caves, "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."

Tips from RVers

RV site preferences: Many RV sites are clustered together for access to hookups. One visitor to Off Shore RV Park notes, "Sites have hard surfaces, fire rings, water, electric. No shade since trees have not been planted as of this date."

Dump station locations: Plan ahead for where to empty tanks. At Swiss Valley, one RVer mentions they had "a 50amp water site and the dump station was nearby. This county park is very nice and sits in a very quiet valley."

Site length considerations: Check site dimensions before booking. At Maquoketa Caves, "all sites designated for RV's are back-in and range in driveway length between 31 and 68 feet." Sites at Blanding Landing "are not real level" according to one reviewer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Bellevue, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bellevue, IA is Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.