Join the fun near Bernard. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Bernard is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Bernard, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$15 - $25 / 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."
"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."
"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."
"There’s a cute store and a cute little area with outside games like corn hole and yard checkers. There’s a huge grassy area for walking the dog and several stations set up with poop bags/garbage."
"We don’t typically prefer to stay in RV-style campgrounds, but it was conveniently located with easy access off Route 151 just over the Wisconsin border from Iowa, we were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed"
"The golf course was pretty and the area around the campsites was nice. This campsite was right off the highway so it was super easy to get in and out of. We had good phone service here. No wifi."
"All the sites had fire pits but one site, either 51 or 52 had that pit too close to the bushes so it wasn't really useable. We were right on the river bank with a good view of the bridge."
"But it was very quiet and our spot (55) was right on the river and a bit tucked in the woods which was great and had an amazing view of the bridge."
"Near Lost Nation, Oxford Junction, and Wyoming, IA this park is an unexpected find in rural, eastern Iowa. The camping areas have expanded."
"Well we found a pretty good one that is relatively close to our home and is rarely reserved. Its only 1 hour North of the Quad Cities where I live & open year round!"
"Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river. Site is along river, has table, fire ring, latrine. Pack in, pack out and Leave No Trace."
$50 / night
"This campground was created for those who visit Frentress Lake and need a place to stay in East Dubuque. Currently a lot of pipeline workers and their families stay here."
TravelerClean campsites, trash and recycling bins, trails, fishing, boating, cheap sites with electric and water hook up for $15 a night
TravelerThis is our go to campground! We have stayed at this campground several times and plan to several more times! Half of the campgrounds is first come first serve, the other half is reserve only.
ScoutAll reservable spots...clean bathrooms, showers and spots. Beautiful park!
TravelerHidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful.
ScoutOwners bought the campground in 2022 and have ruined it.Over 80 seasonal families gone in a matter of a year. They are just not a nice family. They don't mow, they don't keep the Cedar River landing clean, they have music until 2 and 3 in the morning.... NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY at all. Just LOOK INTO THEIR BACKGROUNDS.... The owners are thieves, liars and not good people!!! They moved here from the Nebraska/Iowa boarder and MAN DO THEY HAVE A BAD BACKGROUND!!! Totally research before you put your camper out there. They have not given deposits back. They have kicked seasonal campers out in June, July and August with NO REFUNDS!
LegendThis seasonal campground offer spacious sites, including tables, firings, and decent shade, depending on the season. I met include restrooms and showers, campground host with firewood, available, trash, bins, playground area, trails nearby, I shelter to rent, a golf course across from the entrance, And the park has a hole offers a pool, a lake for fishing and paddling. There is also a historical pioneer Village at the north end.
LegendResort has many options: even camp sites,4 villas, resort inn rooms. Sites have hard surfaces, fire rings, water, electric. No shade since trees have not been plant s as well f this date. Boat ramp nearby, resort has restaurant, playground, water park.
TravelerTerrific access to electric site near the bathroom! All to ourselves
LegendOne of the 6 campgrounds that you will have to choose from here at Scott County Park, Bald Eagle CG & Cabins is one that is more geared for the RV driving and trailer toting tribes as each site has FHUs with electric, water & sewage, fire rings and picnic tables; however, if you wanted to pitch a tent here, you could, although I would recommend nearby Incahias as an alternative. Unlike some of the other campgrounds here, Bald Eagle kind of lives up to its name as there’s not much in the way of tree cover or brush, so the land is somewhat BALD. The land is incredibly flat, back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level grounds are incredibly well-organized and the bathroom / shower facilities with great HOT running water and are about as impeccably clean as can be.
Near by Bald Eagle is Pride Lake, which makes this pet-friendly CG your top pick if you’re an angler or looking to get some decent oaring with your kayak or canoe. Sitting in front of Pride Lake are 2 very large shelters – Whispering Pines and Hickory Hills – as well as a playground for the kiddos and a restroom facility that is also spartan-clean. Surrounding Bald Eagle is also no shortage of hiking / biking / horse trails. We found the CG itself 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. There is also a single large cabin available for rent that has capacity for 10 people.
We loved Scott County Park so much because there is a lot that this gem offers up, from fresh water catch & release lakes, a combination of topographies (from woodlands, wetlands and prairie grasslands), a 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, a 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.
Happy Camping!
Camping near Bernard, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to check out.
Camping near Bernard, Iowa, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just be sure to plan ahead and choose the right campground for your needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bernard, IA is Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Bernard, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
Keep Exploring
