Top Tent Camping near Calmar, IA
Looking for tent camping near Calmar? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Calmar. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Calmar, Iowa's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Calmar, IA (29)
1. Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry — Yellow River State Forest
12 Reviews•46 Photos•4 SavesYellow River State Forest is a perfect place to explore some of Iowa's best hiking trails. Located in northeast Iowa in Allamakee County, the forest is part of the "driftless area" that escaped the glaciers during the most recent ice age. The forest consists of 8,900 acres of hardwood and coniferous forest and is comprised of 6 units.
The Paint Creek Unit is of primary interest to the recreationist, with well-kept camping areas, equestrian accommodations, fishing, hunting, and over 45 miles of trails for hiking, equestrian riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
$12 / night
3. Echo Valley State Park
2 Reviews•4 Photos•10 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
$5 / night
4. Little Turkey Campground
1 Review•2 Photos•5 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
5. Chimney Rock County Park
1 Review•1 Save- Tents
- Toilets
6. Camp John Schultz — Yellow River State Forest
2 Reviews•10 Photos•3 SavesYou may hear a cow moo at the hike-in sites in Camp John Shultz but you’ll not likely hear people. If you do have to share the camp, there are five segregated campsites that are well spaced and feel private. Sites range from partial shade to full shade and all but two have fire rings.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
7. Schmidt Farm by Forestville
2 Reviews•15 Photos•1 SaveQuiet, remote tent camping under dark skies for the minimalist. One mile hike-in to site. Direct access to more remote areas of the NE side Forestville State Park and 50 acres of wooded private trails. Sites are located on the lower area of our property. Approximately 100 yards between sites and each are not within site of each other. All sites are located directly on a main trail circling a walnut grove. A shared centrally located compostable outhouse is located within 50 yards of each site.
This is a beautiful, remote property nestled between our organic Century Family Farm and Forestville State Park. We offer these limited campsites to a very specific demographic, minimalists looking for a quiet experience in nature. Years have gone into the making of these sites to be in balance with nature and our farm. These sites will be only open during spring and fall months. Camping does not include access to our other agritourism opportunities on our farm.
Please read through our description carefully and be sure this is the right fit for you prior to booking. Please contact us with questions. I would much rather leave the site open/unbooked than not meet your expectations. You must check in at our office prior to going to your campsite.
Additional items that will be delivered to your site. Plan ahead. $5 fee per delivery trip.
- Firewood is available for purchase from Schmidt Farm for $8/bundle
- Each site has a table and 2 chairs. 2 additional chairs can be requested
- Tripods and cooking grates are available upon request
- Bring your own container for water refills
- Lockable totes for food storage are available upon request.
- Plan ahead with your requests. Each delivery trip to your site will be $5.
No hunting on property and no hunting groups.
Know before you go. Our outhouse has a dry compostable SunMar toilet. Instructions are located inside the outhouse. There is a solar motion detected light inside the outhouse.
Up to 2 dogs are allowed per site. Dogs must be vaccinated and not display aggressive behavior towards people or other animals. Dogs must be leashed and supervised at all times. For the safety of your pets and our livestock, visiting dogs are not allowed on the private trails. Hiking with your dog is available on and off trail in Forestville.
Please meet us at a pre-arranged time at our farm store/camping office at least one hour prior to sunset. You will be given parking instructions and directions to hike in to your site at that time. Please pack and plan accordingly to be able to carry/pack in all of your personal items. Additional items (listed above) are available on loan to check out for your camping experience. These items will be brought to your campsite for you.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Market
$35 / night
8. Frontier Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest
1 Review•8 Photos•1 SaveYellow River State Forest is a perfect place to explore some of Iowa's best hiking trails. Located in northeast Iowa in Allamakee County, the forest is part of the "driftless area" that escaped the glaciers during the most recent ice age. The forest consists of 8,900 acres of hardwood and coniferous forest and is comprised of 6 units.
The Paint Creek Unit is of primary interest to the recreationist, with well-kept camping areas, equestrian accommodations, fishing, hunting, and over 45 miles of trails for hiking, equestrian riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Frontier equestrian campgrounds are non-modern and have non-electric sites with hitching rails and vault toilets
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Equestrian
$16 / night
9. Gateway Park Campground
1 Review•1 Photo- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
$20 / night
10. River Ranch Camping
1 Review•1 Save- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Picnic Table
Showing results 1-10 of 29 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Calmar
365 Reviews of 29 Calmar Campgrounds
- DDaniel R.
Guide
Beaver Creek Valley State Park
Cozy hideaway
A great place for a weekend camping trip. We had an excellent spot (35). One of the only sites with grass. Great hiking and trout fishing.
- R
Ryan S.Guide
Cedar View Park
Beautiful park, gross bath house
This is a lovely park. It is fairly quiet, you can hear some highway noise in the distance. The lake is lovely and clean. The spots are gravel, most sites will require some leveling but are not too bad.
Each site has a newer electric pedestal with 30 and 50 amp service, and each site has a water spigot, as well as a picnic table and fire ring.
There are a few sites that back up directly to the lake. There is a swimming beach and a dock. There is a city park adjacent to the campground with a playground and picnic shelter.
I had 3 bars on on T-mobile which got me 64 down and 18 up. On Verizon I had 3 bars which got me 65 down and 12 up.
The shower house was pretty bad though. It was older, which doesn't bother me, but it was dirty. There are camp hosts on site but I guess their duties do not include ever cleaning the restroom. There was food trash in there all week, and if you look around you'll find feces, blood, and personal hygiene trash including used condoms.
I would stay in this campground again because I have a self contained unit and do not need to use the on-site shower house.
- RRyan S.Guide
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.
- RRyan S.Guide
Elkader City Park
Close to town, nice facilities, not quiet
I had good Verizon signal here (70 down, 20 up) but zero T-mobile signal.
The campground is close to down, there are two museums within walking distance (just steps from the campground entrance). Across the street is a walking & biking trail that will take you straight to downtown, where you'll find a coffee shop, a few restaurants, and other shopping. It's less than a 5 minute bike ride to get there, and very scenic as it follows the river.
The facilities are newer and pretty nice. The showers are the single-button kind with no temperature adjustment. If you wait a while, the water does get barely warm enough for a comfortable shower.
This is not a quiet campground, it has a well traveled highway on one side, and a city main street on the other side that semi trucks use during the day. Sometimes there are highschool football games at the stadium next to the campground. Late at night it does get quiet.
The sites are grass or gravel. There are electrical hookups at most sites, with water faucets spread throughout the campground. The sites are mostly shaded.
I enjoyed the George Maier Rural Heritage Center and Museum ($5 admission) and the Elkader Depot Museum (free) which are located right next to the campground.
The downside to this campground is the dump station. It is just a hole in a manhole cover. It's in a dirt/weedy area and smells terrible. It's located across the street from the campground.
- LLonnie C.
ScoutRiver of Lakes Campground
Ok. Great checkin - however..
Nice campground with many sites on the Mississippi backwaters and decent fishing stayed two days and opted on a third. However, after we paid for the third night we noticed a campsite on the other side. Of course the first amendment is everyone’s freedom but really ,do campers need to put out “2024 No More Bulls***” AND how about 2024 Fu** your Feelings” that was in front of their welcome sign. These phrases were on massive flags nailed to trees. Of course we all have freedoms but because these vulgar, in your face phrases were seen every time we left the campground we did not feel comfortable. Good thing I did not have my grandkids along. We all have our beliefs, but is offensive language regarding politics have a place in campgrounds have a place? I say “No!” those folks were out of line and it is wrong. We will never return to this campground again.
- JJohn B.
Traveler
Wyalusing State Park
Nice Park
Nice sites, trails and facilities. Stayed during the week in mid September. Beautiful sites overlooking the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers. Great hiking with clean bathrooms and toilets. Private with plenty of room from neighbors for our teardrop.
- TTom
RangerBeaver Creek Valley State Park
Beautiful & peaceful
Very nice QUIET park! RV Campsites are gravel with fire ring and picnic table. The sites are fairly level. There is also a cabin to rent. Many electric sites.
Very nice hiking trails, make sure to check the map to plan easy hike up and steep hike downhill! Beautiful vistas on the Switchback trail.
The Mossy Seep trail has interesting plants and unique growth.
Big Spring Trail boarders the campground, easy walk to see the Spring. Tried to dip feet in the water but couldn’t leave them in the COLD water for long! Water is crystal clear and flowing fast.
Bathroom (men’s) if functional, has running water at the sinks and showers work well.
NO PHONE SERVICE which we appreciated.
The Restaurant “Good Times” is 4 miles away and has good food and service. Also a grocery store in town in case you need more supplies.
Leaves are just starting to change in September.
- AAmos K.Traveler
Schmidt Farm by Forestville
A very peaceful camping experience
If you're looking for a simpler camping experience focused on getting away from everything and solitude, then this is the place for you. You can tell that the hosts have put a ton of work and love into their property and I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know them. The campsites are large and kept up and I picked campsite two so that I could hear the creek behind me and I enjoyed hearing it the whole time I was there plus the Forestville State Park was just across the creek. The peace and quiet allowed me to have one of the best nights of sleep while camping that I've had, I didn't hear a person or a vehicle the whole night and the crickets, frogs, and occasional hooting owl just added to the nighttime experience.
Karen S.GuideSchmidt Farm by Forestville
A quiet, back to nature experience under dark skies.
This location offers the opportunity to explore both private trails and less traveled areas of Forestville State Park. Secluded campsites so you are not camping side by side with others. Site locations offer ample space for multiple tents. The native wildflowers are a special treat.
- RRyan S.Guide
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.
- RRyan S.Guide
Klocks Island Park
Crowded and quiet
This seems like a quiet campground. It's just off the highway but there was almost zero traffic on this small highway. I drove through here on a Saturday in mid September. All spots were taken. I had barely usable Verizon service here and no T-mobile service. I was not able to camp here. The restroom building looked fairly new.
- TTracy B.Guide
Riverside Co Park
Great little city/county park!
Beautiful large sites along the river so you can fish as well as has a pond that you can swim in with three beach entry areas. Large bath house with restrooms and showers and a little free library inside. Very long parking pads- big rig friendly and very roomy sites. Nice walking trails on the east and south side of the park. Very creative natural play park for children to play on. Full hook up sites with a very reasonable nightly rate. It appeared that some of the campsites were seasonal but couldn’t confirm that.
- Niki S.Scout
R Campground, Inc
Very clean, friendly owners, great co-campers
Randy was amazing and very attentive to my questions. Check in was super easy and the directions for check in were clearly spelled out. Everything was mapped out and the website was easy to use as well. The pond itself was pretty to look at and made for great photos, however it was loaded with geese which made it not user friendly. I would recommend this campground, and I will definitely go back to camp again!
- SSteve S.Scout
Maple Springs Campground
WiFi intermittent
WiFi intermittent At far end of campgrounds. Very clean showers and bathroom near office
Kenneth M.Scout
Clayton Hills Campground
Best Owners Ever
I was looking around for a place and being the weekend after the 4th of July, I knew there wouldn't be many options. This place is literally a hidden gem and should get more focus!!! The owner had a spot for my family and me!!! When he found out that I was only tent camping, he even lowered the price!!! He didn't have to do that at all and it wasn't expected. Grassy locations everywhere. Wonderful water and electric hookups!!! A little piece of heaven here. JJ is an AMAZING host!!!
Heather S.Scout
Hidden Bluffs Resort
Babbling Brook and Hosts Activities!
This campground became our favorite site in quite a while! Minimal bugs, very nice staff, beautiful sites with lots of nature! Dog friendly. Playground, mini golf, and pool all complimentary! 2 trails and babbling brooke were peaceful. They had kid and adult activities scheduled for Friday and Saturday which was a cool surprise when we checked in!
- Tori L.Scout
Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Dream stay.
Came to learn more about Tenkara fly fishing. Had a ball. Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa only Fire tower. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush. I had no phone service. Campsites are well mown, have a picnic table and fire ring. Pit toilets. Easy access to water. Drink water and firewood are at the host A frame. There is no dump site. Everyone was very friendly. Helpful. Nights were quiet. Very relaxing.
Eugene O.Scout
Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging
Good campground, rude and unprofessional management
If you want to experience very rude and unfair treatment where you will be mistreated and ripped off by the staff and ow era you must come to Eagle Cliff campground. Was double charged for the room without any options and negotiations and knees delivered to us after we already left the campground. Staff is very rude and unwilling to be reasonable, professional and understanding. Campground looks good but rules are ridiculous and staff and owners are very shady and make non sense decisions. Stay away if you want nice peaceful stay and don’t want to be ripped off.
- EEugene O.Scout
Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging
Management is beyond horrible. Very unprofessional.
If you want to experience very rude and unfair treatment where you will be mistreated and ripped off by the staff and ow era you must come to Eagle Cliff campground. Was double charged for the room without any options and negotiations and knees delivered to us after we already left the campground. Staff is very rude and unwilling to be reasonable, professional and understanding. Campground looks good but rules are ridiculous and staff and owners are very shady and make non sense decisions. Stay away if you want nice peaceful stay and don’t want to be ripped off.
Tiffany K.Guide
Pikes Peak State Park
Quaint Campground with River Views
Loved this campground but it does have some drawbacks. Set up a lot for rv camping with site layout and connections. Some sites have the fire ring very close to the parking area and some spots have limited shade (compared to the majority of the campground that is in the trees). The bathrooms and showers are in good condition. The Mississippi River overlooks are a short walk away. There were lots of birds and spiders around the campground. There are a good number of hiking trails in the park.
Marci S.GuidePikes Peak State Park
Dramatic scenery, quiet campground
This campground is a short hike away from beautiful trails that overlook the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. The boardwalk trails also lead to a small falls and more. Site 51, where we stayed, is near trailhead but on a slight slope. Showers, water, dump station available here, no playground
- ccoreyTraveler
Twins Campground
Serene
Serenity, nature at its best, birdsong all day long wildlife at every turn our campsite was level the owners and manager were great hosts. We stayed several weeks the price was very reasonable, honey wagon service was included ; riding/ hiking trails from campsite.
- Greg K.Guide
Twins Campground
Twins campground- cresco,Iowa.
Very friendly and helpful owner. He even drove to town so we could follow him in. Has playground community area fire pit and a structure built to cover picnic tables. atv trails. Turkey river right there was 20 feet from my site. Porta potty and shower water is hot. 30/50 amp power with water on each site. Water fill station and dump station. Garbage .
Pat F.Guide
Bloody Run County Park
An amazing weekend
I went fishing and hiking and it’s very scenic and beautiful area , train blairing its horn in the middle of the night sucks since it’s right by train tracks, pit toilets and clear water stream in front of the campground fishing wasn’t the best 
Jon M.ScoutBig Joes Little Campground
Never Again
It is not meant for weekenders. The campground is 97% concrete pad sites for people who want to park their camper and ent for the year. The two "weekender sites they do have are over 100 yards away and the water smells like sulphur. The owner will also personally take the time to drive out and chew you out if you inadvertently park on the grass. Bottom line, they care about getting their cash and trying to make it look like Augusta National golf course. I will never go back.
- Pat F.Guide
Big Springs Trout Hatchery Campground
A slice of heaven
This is a beautiful scenic view right next to the river and there are picnic tables fire rings and a trash can and porta potty with a water spigot for fresh water
- Pat F.Guide
Frieden Park and Campground
Cozy and peaceful
This is a nice, small, cozy campground wasn’t anybody else there but us and it was amazing
Guide to Calmar
Camping near Calmar, Iowa, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. With stunning views, hiking trails, and family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone.
What to do:
- Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Backbone State Park. One visitor mentioned, “Great hiking couldn’t swim on our stay but nice beach canoe rentals small store bathrooms were very clean.”
- Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Beaver Creek Valley State Park is known for its trout fishing. A reviewer noted, “Good trout fishing here, some sites are primitive, some have electric and water. World class trout fishing!”
- Cave Tours: Don’t miss the cave tours at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park. One camper shared, “Love the cave tours! Some trails in the park are horse trails also, so you may encounter the occasional horseback rider.”
What campers like:
- Beautiful Views: Campers rave about the views at Nelson Dewey State Park. One happy camper said, “Campsite Ds views were unbeatable. A storm rolled in over the Mississippi as we were heading to bed; it was a magical experience.”
- Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities. A visitor at Eagle Cliff Campground remarked, “Facilities were clean and well-maintained. Not a lot of trees between sites but still far enough apart for privacy.”
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Pikes Peak State Park are noted for being family-friendly. A reviewer mentioned, “Absolutely BEAUTIFUL overlooks above the great Mississippi River! Very nice trails!”
What you should know:
- Train Noise: Some campgrounds, like Nelson Dewey State Park, are near train tracks. One camper warned, “When trains are blowing their horns miles away, the sound carries. When they go past the site, it's incredibly loud!”
- Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in areas like Minnesota Whitewater State Park. A visitor noted, “Spotty cell service. Hiked a trail with lots of steps.”
- Reservations Recommended: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A camper at Pulpit Rock Campground mentioned, “There was only one site available when we made the reservation 3 weeks ago.”
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Sites Wisely: Look for sites that offer privacy and space for kids to play. A family at Beaver Creek Valley State Park found, “Site 39 was honestly massive and secluded so we didn’t even end up using our other site.”
- Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or plan hikes to keep everyone entertained. One family at Pikes Peak State Park said, “Hiking was phenomenal at Pikes Peak! We will never forget those views!”
- Pack for Bugs: Be ready for bugs, especially near water. A camper at Nelson Dewey State Park advised, “Insect repelling incense and spray kept us comfortable.”
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Backbone State Park mentioned, “I have camped here twice, both times in my travel trailer. Overall, it is a nice campground with decent space in between campers.”
- Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups for convenience. A camper at Eagle Cliff Campground noted, “Great camp ground along the root river. Very clean and quiet.”
- Dump Stations: Ensure there are dump stations available. A visitor at Minnesota Whitewater State Park mentioned, “Showers, water, dump station available here, no playground.”
Camping near Calmar, Iowa, has a lot to offer, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in an RV or tent camping, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Calmar, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Calmar, IA is Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry — Yellow River State Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Calmar, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Calmar, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.