95 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Boone, Iowa feature a variety of established sites with amenities ranging from basic to full-service. Ledges State Park Campground, located about 10 miles south of Boone, serves as a central outdoor destination with both electric and primitive tent sites, plus some walk-in camping options. The area includes several county parks such as Don Williams Park and Spring Lake County Park that offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping. Most facilities support both tent and RV camping, with several parks providing electric hookups, water connections, and sewer facilities for recreational vehicles.
Access to most campgrounds remains seasonal, with many facilities operating from April through October. Ledges State Park and other public recreation areas typically close or reduce services during winter months. Summer weekends see high demand, particularly at waterfront locations along the Des Moines River. Water levels can affect road access in Ledges State Park, where creek crossings sometimes flood during heavy rain periods. Campground amenities vary significantly, with some offering modern restrooms and showers while others provide only basic facilities. A visitor commented that "the campground is well maintained, clean bathrooms and showers in camping area" but also noted that "bathrooms were a bit dated and unclean when we visited, but not terrible."
Campers report particularly enjoying the hiking opportunities available at Ledges State Park, with its unique sandstone formations and river access. The terrain offers more elevation changes than typical Iowa landscapes, making it attractive for outdoor enthusiasts seeking variety. Wildlife sightings, especially deer and raccoons, are frequently mentioned in camper feedback. Several visitors warned about persistent raccoons at Ledges, with one noting, "Beware of the raccoons. They're plentiful and crazy smart here." Privacy levels vary between campgrounds, with walk-in sites generally providing more seclusion than standard campground spaces. Developed sites with hookups tend to be more open but offer convenience for RV travelers, while primitive sites often provide more natural surroundings. Most campgrounds in the region require reservations during peak season, especially for weekend stays.
"One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there."
"One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."
from $18 - $38 / night
Check Availability"A couple minor complaints that I developed would be that it is right next to the golf course so there is a lot of near by traffic, and people like to cruise on motorcycles and drive muscle cars through"
"Iowa county parks are amazing. They pour money into them and it really shows. Clean, I mean immaculate. Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"We camped here to be close to the Iowa High Trestle Trail for bicycling and it's very handy for that. Nothing fancy, but has plenty of sites, flush toilets and showers available."
"Nice little camp ground with easy access to the high trestle bike trail"
"Went kayaking on lake and then on Des Moines River (close by). Nice wildlife areas, hiking, fishing, etc. Pleasant staff."
"Very quite and nice campground, we camped on top of the hill in tents it was awesome view and potable drinking water next to camp, bathrooms and shower facilities was clean and nice"
from $12 - $20 / night
Check Availability"The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."
"Lots of prairie area around, spacious sites. Varying levels of shade. A25, had a good amount of shade and was near the nice playground and nice bathrooms. No view of the lake from loop A."
from $20 - $336 / night
Check Availability"There are campsites along the lake with easy access to shoreline. There are approximately 100 sites. There is a playground and disc golf. There is a roller rink and a concession stand."
"Plenty of camping spaces, some right next to the lake. Swimming area, concession stand, boat rentals, and even a skating rink on the weekends. My favorite childhood camping spot."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Clean bathrooms, close to the lake, playground, and a lot of sites. It does get busy. As you would expect there are a lot of bugs on a hot day in Iowa. Tent sites have good shade from trees."
"Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."
from $14 - $84 / night
Check Availability"Above average overall for central Iowa. Views of Saylorville Lake. Plenty of shade. Clean restrooms. It’s a large park and some sites are close together, but generally spacious. Good cell service."
"Lots of RV sites around. The whole area around Saylorville Lake has camping. Lush green plots of land everywhere. I forget how pretty it is in the Midwest when I'm gone for so long."
from $24 - $26 / night
Check Availability"We stayed here for two nights while visiting family nearby. It’s a pretty location with the dam and waterway right there. The sites are well spaced."
"Great spot located next to the Des Moines River. Check in was a breeze and conveniently near the fill and dump stations. Peaceful lot near the river. Great fishing in the river."
from $22 - $26 / night
Check Availability"Close to the interstate and easy to get to."
"We went when the wind was blowing in typical Iowa summer fashion. The grounds are peaceful and there's lots of great plant and flower spotting."
ScoutGreat spot in the woods. Lots of trails. They have a bison and elk sanctuary. Also a nature center. A playground. They have several RV spots. Most are pre book but they have a section for first come first serve. Also lots of tent camping. A few group camping areas. Showers are ok. I believe the non shower house bathrooms are all vault toilets. Overall a great place to stay!
ScoutThey show tent camping reservations allowed online and they even let you book a tent to Camp online for paying $32 but then when they come around and talk to you they don't say anything about not having a tent allowed and they don't give you the codes to the restroom and then they just close the office and go to bed and then at 11:00 at night the sheriff comes and tells you to grab all your stuff because there's no camping allowed and put you out on the street with nowhere to go and no more money cuz you wasted all your money on that stupid site that you didn't even get to stay at and then you realize that after you carried all your stuff over to the bar and had to sleep outside on the streets with your service dog when you have disabilities and you told them you have seizures that you had a seizure and now you have to go to the hospital and you lost your tent because somebody stole it so now you have nowhere to live because you're homeless and somebody stole your only house which was your tent because the sheriff kicked you out at 10:00 or 11:00 at night that was really great thanks that was the best experience in my whole life not really and thanks for putting my stress level so high that I went to seizures when people have disabilities you guys should be more accommodating and be more open and honest and be more willing to talk to people
GuideThis is a day use conservation only area. No camping is currently allowed.
There is a nice accessible vault toilets, play ground, and it has the Iowa River passing through it. There is also a very nice community building at the property.
GuideThis little camp ground is part of the Iowa River Trail system. There is a good sized parking / turn around area. It was well kept and it costs about $10 a night and is in Hardin County.
The gravel road is fairly busy, but it could just be due to planting season starting. There were quite a few annoying gnats / mosquito's. There is a ramp for access, but it is dirt and gravel, so not something you can back a boat down in there easily.
I spent a night here and it was a pleasant experience, other than the flying bug annoyances.
GuideArrived at Reece Memorial Park in the early afternoon. I stopped by the Octagonal shelter at the south entrance of the park. This is a large shelter house with a fireplace in the middle of the building with several picnic tables.
I then drove down the road and entered into the west entrance of the park and followed it around the loop. There is a wide open area with a small slide and Merry-go-round, along with a couple of picnic tables.
I found, what I think, the best campsite in the park, and it was open. It sits along the creek and there was a fire ring there. This park is all primitive campsites, and so be prepared for that, although the description of the campground mentions vault toilets, I did not see them.
It was a very nice relaxing campsite, and the fact that there was no cell service, made it even better! There were a few vehicles drive through, and a little road noise, but I enjoyed my stay there. The creek was up, and it looks like part of the park might still be closed on the South side.
To primitive camp, the cost is $10.00 a night, and registration is with a QR Code, but since there is little to no cell service, it was difficult to get registered, so you may want to pay before you go.
TravelerThis location is on the east side of Jefferson on the old Lincoln highway at the Greene county fair grounds directly next to the Milwaukee trestle bike trail. It has both tent and RV camping spots. The RV is parallel parking with electric only. Black water dump site is at the waist water treatment plant by the public swimming pool on west Russell street on the south side of the street across from south walnut street entrance. The fairgrounds dose have horse and livestock amenities and events at times of the year with the Greene county fair and other events. It also has an agricultural museum and other events in the summer.
GuideI took my mother and my youngest on a Mother’s Day weekend camping adventure. We chose Briggs Woods because of its location and reviews from other campers. It is a larger campground than you think! Spots for primitive tent camping, electrical hook up and full hook ups. The campground offers free WiFi and it reached clear to the back end over by the four little cabins. The pit toilets by the four little cabins were clean and stocked. My daughter was able to walk her little dog around the campground with no issues of other dogs running loose. Quiet hours begin at 10:30 pm and everyone followed the rule. I also like how close to the river this campground is. We stayed in electrical spots in the #60s. I like how you can scan the QR code and pay right there from your phone. Very convenient! The camp hosts were friendly and would often cruise by in their golf cart checking on campers.
TravelerPark was pretty full, but they found us a spot for the night. Excellent pricing and the yards are BIG compared to other places we've stayed. Would definitely come back
TravelerGreat, convenient campground at a very reasonable price $15 if you pay cash or $19 when paying via the QR code at each site. The location is sitting right along the river where I saw several people fishing. There’s also a small playground, which is a nice touch for families.
I stayed at a 30-amp electric-only site, so no water hookups or dump station, but there is a dumpster available for trash. Overall, it’s a simple, safe, well-maintained spot that offers good value, and I would definitely stay here again.
Camping near Boone, Iowa offers access to the Des Moines River valley with elevations ranging from 850 to 1100 feet, creating more varied terrain than typical Iowa landscapes. The camping season generally runs April through October, with July temperatures averaging 85°F and nighttime summer lows around 65°F. Most campgrounds in the area provide a mix of wooded and open sites.
Fishing opportunities: Spring Lake County Park features waterfront camping with easy lake access. "The best waterfront camping we have found near us. Small friendly community of camping. Door to door ice and concession delivery," notes Jodi H. The lake supports various fish species for anglers of all experience levels.
Hiking trails: Ledges State Park offers challenging terrain unusual for Iowa. "What I enjoy most about this park compared to others in Iowa are the sandstone ledges and the slopes on the trail. There are some excellent views," shares Tom S. The park's unique sandstone formations provide distinctive hiking experiences with elevation changes.
Biking access: Swede Point Park connects to regional trails including the High Trestle Trail. "Nice little camp ground with easy access to the high trestle bike trail," according to Brian G. The High Trestle Trail features a 13-story bridge spanning the Des Moines River valley with multiple access points near camping areas.
Water recreation: Prairie Flower Recreation Area provides access to Saylorville Lake with boat launch facilities. "This quickly became one of our favorite close to home spots. Sites are large and there is plenty of space between sites. We had a gorgeous view of the lake and sunsets," reports Heather S. The lake supports swimming, boating, and paddling activities.
Privacy levels: Don Williams Park offers spacious sites with tree coverage. "Very quite and nice campground, we camped on top of the hill in tents it was awesome view and potable drinking water next to camp," Pat F. reports. The park's layout creates natural separation between camping areas, particularly in tent-specific zones.
Wildlife viewing: Jester County Park features wildlife observation areas including bison and elk enclosures. "Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level. They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," notes jim S. Many campsites border natural areas with deer, raccoon, and bird spotting opportunities.
Well-maintained facilities: Acorn Valley Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "Campsites are well kept and clean. Bathrooms are immaculate and cleaned every day," according to John F. The bathhouse facilities include flush toilets and hot showers with daily maintenance.
Unique recreation: Spring Lake County Park features an open-air roller skating rink. "There is a roller rink and a concession stand. This is a very busy campground in the summer," notes Dave M. The park also offers disc golf, kayak rentals, paddle boats, and a swimming beach with seasonal operations.
Reservation requirements: Bob Shelter Recreation Area often fills completely, especially on weekends. "I would suggest getting reservations. We stopped on a Friday without one, they were booked," advises Zachariah M. Most electric sites at county parks require reservations during peak season while tent sites may remain available for walk-ins.
Wildlife concerns: Acorn Valley has a resident raccoon population. "Biggest downside is the resident raccoons. Come out every night to rummage through possible food options. Secure your food and they're no problem unless you're a light sleeper," warns John F. Food storage precautions should be taken at all area campgrounds.
Site selection considerations: Prairie Flower Recreation Area has varying levels of site development. "Not all loops are paved. A is not. But the site was pretty level, wasn't too much trouble to get our trailer backed in and leveled," explains Mia L. Research specific loops when making reservations as amenities vary significantly within the same campground.
Seasonal changes: Water levels affect campground access throughout the season. "Ledges State Park is one of the most visited parks in Iowa. I loved coming to this park as a kid and I can't wait for it to re-open. It has been closed since January 2018, but it scheduled to re-open in January of 2019," shared Matt S. during a previous closure. Spring flooding can limit access to lower-lying areas, particularly at Ledges.
Playground access: Cherry Glen Campground features multiple play areas. "Lots of trees. Playgrounds. Near lake," confirms Janet A. Request sites near playgrounds to allow supervision from your campsite while children play.
Swimming options: Spring Lake County Park provides a designated swimming beach with amenities. "We loved our stay here! Beautiful campground and well maintained. Unfortunately the skate arena was closed for the season. Lots of trails to choose from and spacious campsites," shares Chelsea G. The beach area includes a concession stand with summer hours.
Educational opportunities: Jester County Park offers nature programs for children. "Brand new (opened August 2018) Nature Center, amphitheater, bison and bird viewing," notes Larissa C. The nature center hosts scheduled programs throughout summer months with hands-on activities.
Varied activities: Swede Point Park provides multiple recreation options. "This county park has many amenities not to mention that it is close to a very popular bike trail. There are a few miles of mowed trails along with a couple of trail through the woods up and down hills. Do you like volleyball? They have that and a half court basketball too," describes j B.
Hookup availability: Don Williams Park offers full-hookup sites. "Peaceful camping with lots of room, 50 amp hook ups and water easily available," according to Steve B. Electric sites typically provide 50-amp service, with water access points scattered throughout the camping areas.
Dump station access: Prairie Flower has dump station limitations during busy periods. "Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on a Sunday is a good 1 hour wait," warns Elizabeth A. Plan Sunday departures for early morning or consider alternative facilities.
Leveling requirements: Bob Shelter Recreation Area offers concrete pads at some sites. "We stayed at spot 20 which was extra wide, concrete pad with electric hook up. No water or sewer. Spot 20 is at the end which makes it very private with nice large grassy area adjacent to wooded area," reports Wendy H. Many sites throughout the area require moderate leveling.
Site spacing: Cherry Glen provides adequate separation between units. "Nice campground with 30/50 amp electric, no water or service but bathrooms are clean and many. The staff are very friendly and willing to offer info," shares Stacy M. Request end-of-loop sites for maximum privacy and space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Boone, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Boone, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 95 campgrounds and RV parks near Boone, IA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Boone, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Boone, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Boone, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Boone, IA.
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