Best Tent Camping near Carlisle, IA

Recent Tent Reviews near Carlisle, Iowa

453 Reviews of 18 Carlisle Campgrounds

• R

  Russ G.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 14, 2019

  Acorn Valley

  Peaceful, lots of riverbed area to explore

  We’re big fans of Acorn Valley. It’s quiet and there is plenty of shade in the tent camping area. The tent sites lead to some small trails which end at the riverbed. Our boys love exploring here.

• 

  Jamee N.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 17, 2020

  Newton KOA

  Family Friendly

  We tried to stay here on probably the hottest day of the year. It was just wayyyyy too hot so we made sandwiches and decided to drive through the night, but it wasn’t this KOA’s fault! Very friendly staff. Tons for kids and families to do. My only complaint is that where we were, tent spot #1...there wasn’t really any soaration of the tent sites. People moved in beside us and were literally in our site because there wasn’t anything stopping them. Probably a better place for RV camping over tent camping.

• 

  Matt S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 15, 2017

  Three Mile Lake Recreation Area

  Three Mile Rec Area is clean and beautiful

  I have to say, of all of the campgrounds and parks that I have visited in southern Iowa near highway 34, Three Mile is the best.

  This park is clean with nice amenities and a beautiful lake. During the week you can almost have the place to yourself... it is a different story on the weekends.

  You can tent camp or pull your camper and just enjoy the setting. If you don't like to tent camp and don't have a camper, don't worry, there are several cabins for rent.

  There are showers and bathrooms and an awesome playground for the younger kids.

  I am definitely adding this to my list for regular stays with my family.

• A

  Amanda H.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 19, 2023

  Wallashuck

  Convenience with some space

  We were able to camp in a tent near RVs without feeling crowded. The restrooms, showers, and playground were all close by…great for camping with kids. There were some nicer than ours and some with less privacy or further away than we’d prefer.

  A nice mix of convenience and privacy. Perfect location to showers and playground for kids. Ample space for our needs, but not overly private

• 

  Caitlyn H.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 28, 2018

  Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

  Nice Place

  I have tent camped at Lake Ahquabi Campground several times. There are some great spots down by the lake that are perfect for tent camping. There is quite a bit to do in this State Park. There are a few trails, there is plenty of fishing, a swimming beach, and they have water sport rentals! The area is very pretty and peaceful. I would recommend for campers with kids and without. There are showers and plenty of bathrooms.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  May. 31, 2020

  Newton KOA

  KOA is OK

  Newton KOA

  This is the primary location for camping in Newton. It’s right off interstate I-80 and is very close to the Iowa Speedway.

  There are places to go tent camping but it’s primarily setup for rvs. The tent camping spots have a picnic table and fire pit.

  The RV sports are pretty nice, most have the usual hookups. This place can get pretty busy when there is a race going on.

  There is a creek in the back and some pretty easy hiking trails to explore. There is a fish cleaning station near the creek. They do also have a pond with bass and bluegill. They also have a pool by the office but it’s currently being painted.

  Overall this is a pretty nice KOA and it’s very clean and maintained. You can hear the interstate but you get used to it.

• 

  Kaylinn W.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 8, 2019

  Hickory Grove Campground

  Little patch of heaven

  We go camping at Breezy Bay and it’s our favorite. We tent camp, so the modern bathrooms (with showers!!) is a huge plus. The spots are some of the biggest we’ve seen at any campground, so there aren’t many and it’s almost always quiet. Lots of trees for shade but the lake has trails and a swimming beach with watercraft rentals. Truly a hidden gem in central Iowa!

• M

  Maybo H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 2, 2021

  Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

  Amazing free find

  Got here a bit late and almost didn’t get a site. Very clean and nice with grassy tent sites. Best free site I have ever been to.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 1, 2020

  Mariposa Recreation Area

  Country Camping

  If you want to go out in the country and do some tent camping this is the place!

  The lake has been drained and dredged and is slowly filling back up. It’s pretty spacious and has lots of room for tent camping. I wouldn’t bring an RV here.

  There are bathroom facilities by the lake area and the camping area which is near the back.

  The fishing here used to be really good with catfish, bluegill, bass. They do allow boats (electric motor only), kayaks and canoes. I haven’t fished here since they updated the lake.

  There are hiking trails and one that goes to a back pond. There is a butterfly garden and playground for the kids to explore. There is also a shelter to have parties with picnic tables.

  It’s nice that’s it’s been updated and cleaned up.

• 

  Ben K.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 28, 2023

  Thomas Mitchell County Park

  Clean and quiet in tent

  Spent 2 nights tent camping here. We stayed at site 4, glad I read reviews on here. I personally would not want to be in a site beyond number 7 as it gets too close to the dump station and subsequent “sewage lagoon”

  Shower house was clean, pretty quiet, and only 5 miles off the highway

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 13, 2019

  Thomas Mitchell County Park

  Best little park

  Great place to go tent camping, very clean and quiet. They sell firewood bundles for $5. Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat. There is even a pond for fishing that you can take a trail from the campsite to. 100% going to go back and camp again.

• 

  Zachariah M.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 7, 2019

  Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

  Nice spot

  I would suggest getting reservations. We stopped on a Friday with out one, they were booked. We only wanted one night in a tent. They don’t have designated tent sites but they have one overflow sight and they let us use it for the night. Price is great, $20 per night. Easy to get rvs into the spots and a lot to do for the kids.

• 

  April B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 29, 2018

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Quiet, low-key hike in camping

  Though it’s closed this summer :( - the Ledges State Park campground is a long time favorite of ours. Lots of electrical and non electrical spots and also an entire section of hike-in tent camping that is just a short hike down to a secluded section of the Des Moines River. Secure your food at night or the racoons will dine lavishly on your supplies. :)

• B

  Billy K.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 4, 2018

  Swede Point Park

  Hidden Gem

  Small county park with clean showers and restrooms. Several short trails, mile mile and a half maybe. Tent camping is always available (literally - was just there over Labor day weekend and had no trouble getting a spot on Saturday), with maybe 20 electric sites, no reservations. New this year is firewood for purchase. Not far from the famous High Trestle Trail for you bicycle enthusiasts! My wife and I teardrop trailer camp here as often as we can.

• 

  Matt S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 15, 2017

  Thayer Lake Rec Area

  Skip Thayer Lake and go to Three Mile SP

  This is a really small campground with a few electric boxes to park your camper on the outside of the parking lot next to the lake and one average tent site with a fire ring and picnic table.

  The lake is a good local spot for fishing but I would go to Three Mile State Park to camp with my family, it's just an extra 10 or 15 minute drive away.

• 

  Jacob W.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 7, 2022

  Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest

  Vibrant Iowa forest in summer

  I tent camped at “Mine Pond Campground” in Stephen’s State Forest in July 2022. I arrived about 8:15pm and had about 45 minutes of daylight to pitch camp. The campground feels deep in a vibrant Iowa forest surrounded by lush greenery. That said, mosquitoes swarmed me instantly. And “Mine Pond” is a small muddy pond without the most remote possibility of swimming. The pond kind of seems too small to fish but maybe. A storm blew in around dark and it rained much of the night. The frogs sang loudly deep into the night (see my video for the audio), which I enjoyed. A pair of barred owls hooted and laughed in the dark trees. I departed early while it was still dark. I don’t think I’ll return to this place.

• 

  Christine R.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 11, 2021

  Rock Creek State Park Campground

  Early Spring Visit

  Used to go here as a kid, was always good fishing. We visited one week before the water and modern bathrooms were ready, so that was challenging. The park seemed a little rough to be on the cusp of true spring camping. Derecho looks to have hit here, lots of clean up to do. I never saw a ranger or any staff. Gorgeous tent camping area and waterfront sites. Great bike trail that goes right into Grinnell. We were in site 39 and it’s a great one!

• A

  Anthony W.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 3, 2022

  Adventureland Campground

  Parking more than camping

  I stayed at Adventureland for the summer months and had no issues. The staff was very helpful, plenty of laundry/restrooms throughout the campground and pretty clean overall. Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick. Tent camping is an option in the back of the campground. Nature is not really the draw of this campground, convenience is more the approach. With a theme park on one side and a casino on the other, both in walking distance. It’s more of a park and party place hahaha

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 25, 2021

  Riverview Park Campground

  Urban campground is near a busy highway

  This campground has many sites to choose from - RV with hookups as well as some non-electric tent sites. There are quite a few activities in Marshalltown, and it is within the Marshalltown city limits.

  The downside is proximity. It is right next to the highway. When I was there in a tent, the hog trucks would drive by all night (loud and smelly). The RV sites are closest to the road, so maybe it is not so bad in an RV, but it is not particularly enjoyable in a tent.

  Pros:

  + Marshalltown has quite a few places to eat

  + Nice bike trails (and a great bicycle store downtown)

  + It is near the Iowa River

  + Nice park in general with activities like a dog park

  + Camp host on-site

  + Decent sized campsites

  + Playground for the kids

  Cons:

  + It can get busy on a summer weekend

  + Noisy - right by the highway

  + Mosquitos are really bad here

• 

  Sara S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 25, 2016

  Walnut Woods State Park Campground

  good place for a day trip

  We just did a day trip here with families who have a bunch of kids. Great park for kids and they loved floating down the river. We did a fun short hike as well. We checked out the camping situation for our next visit to Des Moines and decided a park a bit further away was worth a more secluded camping experience. Sites were not secluded and not very exciting plus they seemed very set up for an RV experience not so much tent camping. The bathrooms look pretty nice though. Definitely a nice place to spend a few hours, but the campground leaves something to be desired for me.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 1, 2021

  Timmons Grove County Park

  Electric sites only, but beautiful area

  All campsites at Timmons Grove are$18/night and are electric. I have visited this place many times but only camped once. This place has never been busy when I have visited.

  I generally do not camp electric, so$18/night was steep for non-electric tent camping. There is no shower and the restroom is a port-a-potty.

  The area itself is really beautiful. There are good hiking trails, including a walk through some wildflowers. Bird watchers will love this place. Also expect to see deer and turkeys.

  There is boat access to the Iowa river as well as a public hunting area(I have not gone boating or fishing here, or hunting).

  Other than the nearby highway, which is not too bad for noise, the campground is really quiet.

  The price and the nearby highway are my only real complaints here. I am giving it 4 stars.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 1, 2020

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Ledges

  Ledges State Park

  Ledges is an amazing place. It has so much to do. There are long trails to hike, creeks to play in.

  You can bring your tent or RV and camp. The RV camps have water/sewer hookups. The primitive tent sites are usually pretty clean and can get pretty busy on the weekends.

  There are lots of bridges that get flooded out and are fun to drive over. Most of the kids like to hang out near them and get splashed.

  Its a fantastic place to enjoy the outdoors and especially in the fall. Also if you go to Ames stop at Great Plains pizza company.

• 

  Whitney S.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 9, 2022

  Yellow Banks County Park

  Ever changing

  I camped here in 2021 and I enjoyed it but the first night I was there I ran my vehicle down the second night I was there I took a tour on the campgrounds and got verbally accosted but another camper for walking near their campground and then I mistakenly left some food out and my dog and I were woken up by wild dogs.
  In 2022 I came out again and it was a much better adventure the campgrounds are beautiful they have two different electric sights and they have a newly furnished tent site.

• P

  Patti M.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 18, 2018

  Cherry Glen Campground

  Relaxing in the beauty that is Iowa

  Went in without a reservation. No problem. Pleasantly surprised to find out it's an Army Corps of Engineers park; meaning if you have a annual National Parks pass, you get a discount. Didn't know that. We paid $11 for a tent site. 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. Quiet, relaxing place. Friendly staff. We took a long walk through the campground and others nearby. Boating and swimming in the lake.

• 

  Sara S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 25, 2016

  Ledges State Park Campground

  great walk-in site

  We went to this state park with family and had a great time. We chose to do a walk-in tent site because my brother in law recommended it. The site was great! It had tons of trees, dirt area to set up tent, and nice grass surrounding it. The fireplace and picnic table we unexpected with a walk-in site, but a good surprise :) We camped mid-October and were pleased to see the modern bathrooms still open too! Loved the canyon drive and it’s fabulous views :) We heard about an awesome bicycling trail that connects this park with another and are already planning a trip to go back and do a bike trip! Excellent experience.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  May. 31, 2020

  Adventureland Campground

  It’s an adventure.

  This is a great spot if you plan on staying in the area and want to go to Adventure Land or Prairie Meadows. There are lots of restaurants near by like Spectators and Jethro’s BBQ.

  As far as the RV park goes it’s pretty busy, mostly small families and older folks. The lots aren’t very big and you are kind of packed in there. They have a swimming pool and a fishing pond. The office also has a little store to buy goods.

  They do have a small area to tent camp in. I probably would stick go rv though. There are also comfort stations lol for showers and bathrooms.

  They do also sell firewood and during July 4th Adventure land puts on a really great fireworks show.

• 

  j B.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 17, 2021

  Swede Point Park

  Great camping experience

  This county park has many amenities not to mention that it is close to a very popular bike trail (High Tressel Trail Bridge). 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 ahalf court basketball too. If your family or group likes games, the park maintains a flat well groomed area for play games. The bathroom/shower house has music 🎶. Wood is for sale. I plan to return. Plan to get here Wednesday or Thursday because this park is FIRST COME basis. NO RESERVATIONS! AndALL of the electrical sites were full Thursday evening. There were plenty on tent sites still available.